Preschool Art Projects With Sandcastles

Sand sculpture is a temporary art form; preserve it in photographs.

Sandcastles are a form of sculpture created by compressing and shaping moist sand. This art form is a popular summer activity for kids that fosters creativity and physicality. Make sandcastles a part of your next art lesson by making real castles outside, or using them as inspiration for other craft projects.

Sandcastles

Make real sandcastles in your classroom using a sandbox or an outdoor bin. Moisten sand with water and press it into plastic molds. Invert the mold in the sandbox. Gently squeeze the sides of the mold to release the sand. Repeat to create a larger design. Have students decorate their castles with seashells, twigs, leaves and miniature umbrellas.

Clay Sandcastle Tiles

Use a polymer craft clay for this project. Prep by making clay tiles in a sandcastle design. Make one for each student, and a few extra just in case. You may use a sandcastle cookie cutter or trace the outline of a drawing on clay sheets. Punch a hole in the top of the tile with a straw or craft knife. Have students etch designs into the castles with toothpicks or tongue depressors. Place the tiles on a cookie sheet and bake in a standard convection oven as directed on the clay package. Once cool, paint the tiles with acrylic paint and add a ribbon to the top as a hanger.

Textured Drawings

Have students draw sandcastles on heavy paper, such as oak tag or chipboard. Paint the castle with a coat of white craft glue and sprinkle with sand. Tap the paper on the table to remove excess sand. For more advanced students, demonstrate how to apply glue in sections and add different colored sands. Cover drawings with a sheet of plastic cling wrap or a clear plastic bag to prevent damage during transport.

Mixed Media Beach Scene

Work with a variety of different media to create a dynamic beach scene. Use sand to make textured sand castles, watercolors to make a fluid ocean and glitter to make a glistening sunset. This project may be completed over several days and assembled at the end of the week.

References

• Preschool Education: Beach
• Scholastic: Oceanography
• Kaboose: Sand