Enabling Environments: On the beach

The beach is the environment with most play value for children, so no wonder it's a favourite place to visit! Sand itself is a magical, entrancing and therapeutic substance. The full menu of sand, water, shells, pebbles, plant material, the open sky and weather creates endless possibilities for the combination and interaction of materials. Children can explore, discover, modify, experiment, build and imagine.

Creating a beach-like sand area in your outdoor space will introduce a great deal of stimulus and support for well-being and learning in all areas, for all children, all through the year.

RESOURCES

- Protective clothing such as rainwear, gloves and hats
- water supply, hose and watering cans
- lots of containers in a wide range of styles, shapes and sizes
- jugs, funnels and sieves
- wheelbarrows
- buckets with handles
- long-handled spades and rakes
- brooms and brushes
- child-sized trowels and hand tools
- baking and cooking equipment
- wooden spoons and other kitchen utensils
- camping cups and plates
- ropes and pulleys
- plasterers' tools, small bricks
- pebbles, shells, feathers and other natural materials
- small sparkly items to use as treasure