Sand is a great resource that will allow your child to explore new smells, textures and develop new skills.
Children learn through play and sand play is a great way to enhance a child’s learning. Sand play gives children the freedom to explore, create and ask questions. Some key skills that sand play enhances are fine motor skills, hand & eye coordination, promotes creativity, enhances a child’s sensory skills, encourages socialisation, improves children’s language skills and helps children to overcome different challenges.
However, having your own sandpit can get a bit messy. Sand often picks up quite a bit of dirt which isn’t good for your children to play in. Cleaning your sand it very easy and you only need two simple household ingredients. Using a spray bottle or a watering can fill it with 9 parts water and 1 part white vinegar if you wish you can add a few drops of tea tree oil (not for baby sand) or lavender essential oils. Once this is all mixed together spray/sprinkle the sand with the mixture and rake it through so all the sand is covered. Leave it to dry, and once dry it is clean and ready to play in again!
