Friday 22 June 2012

Big and Little... the beach


Did you see A Mom with a Lesson Plan's awesome BIG pretend play beach? If you didn't go now, go now.... and then come back and read all about our LITTLE beach. If you want to know more about BIG and LITTLE you can read all about it here.

I did this a little differently from my normal little world set-ups. Usually, I involve the kids in the 'making' of the little world. This time I set up our little beach on my own. I poured sand into a tub leaving a ditch (which I lined with pebbles and rocks) for the 'sea water'. To aid drainage I propped the sandy end of the tub up on a block of wood. I collected some people figurines, scrap material for towels, little bottle lids and paddle pop sticks for buckets and spades, shells, paper umbrellas and a plastic shark. I also cut out some fish and a floatie from a sponge.

With and without water: I added the blue water just before Boo started playing, it drains through the sand.

Her first love was the mini bucket and spade

While Cakey was at preschool I gave Boo the mini beach to play with. She dunked all the people, played with the mini bucket of sand, ripped the umbrellas to shreds, made sand castles and added more and more water. She happily played with this little beach for over an hour – draining water out and then adding water back in. After play, I drained out the water and placed all the beachy bits and pieces in a basket.

Sand castle and people going for a swim
Adding more and more water and playing in the sand

On the following day while Boo was napping I gave the tub of sand to Cakey along with the basket of beach accessories. She set up the beach herself and then I gave her a jug of blue water. She poured in the 'sea water' and played with her little beach independently.

Cakey made her little beach independently
This little world play could not have gone better – Boo got thoroughly involved in the sensory play aspect and Cakey used her imagination to create her own world.


If this is your first visit to at home with Ali – welcome. If you like it, you can follow along through our facebook page or subscribe via email or RSS. Cheers Ali

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Linked to It's Playtime, The Sunday Showcase, Summer Sensory Fun, TGIF

17 comments:

  1. What a fun activity! Sensory play is so great, and it looks like your kids had a blast with their little beach! My 8 month old daughter will have so much fun with stuff like that when she stops trying to eat everything she sees :)

    I'm hosting a Summer Sensory Fun Link Party today through next week, and would absolutely love it if you would link up this post! It's perfect! I hope you'll swing by and visit--it would be great to have you!

    ♥ Bethany

    www.happyhomemaker.me

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    1. I will head over and link up. Thanks for visiting.

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  2. I love, love, love it!!! I have a bag of sand that is waiting to be turned into a little beach. YAHOO!

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  3. This is TOO cute!! What a fun outdoor playscape. I am going to share this with my Facebook readers later today =-) Thanks for linking up to TGIF! If you have a moment I'd love your vote in Circle of Moms Top 25 Homeschooling blogs (http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/Top-25-Homeschooling-Moms-2012) - Thanks!!
    Beth
    www.livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com

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  4. Oh, adore this! Small world set-ups spark such imaginative play, don't they? Even I get a whisper of their magic whenever I see one!

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  5. I just found your blog today and I am in love! I am now a follower and can't wait to try some of your ideas.

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    1. Thank you, that is a lovely comment and thanks for following along

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  6. I just found your blog today and I am in love! I am now a follower and can't wait to try some of your ideas.

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  7. This is such a cool idea. I have been wanting to do a beach/ocean sensory tub and you have given me some ideas to consider when I make mine. I love your blog and I'm a new follower. Thanks for sharing! Stop by my blog when you get a chance.
    Lori @ Cachey Mama’s Classroom

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    1. Thanks Lori, I will pop over now and visit.

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  8. I love this beach scene and wanted to let you know that I'm featuring it on The Sunday Showcase tomorrow. I hope you'll stop by!

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  9. That beach is brilliant. I love the blue water, it makes it look more realistic.

    Thanks for linking to the Sunday Showcase.

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  10. Thanks so much for this, I made one for my little boy today - he loved it!
    http://greeneggs.posterous.com/sensory-box-july-the-beach

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