Kids Craft: Sandpaper Castles

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Sand and surf are icons of summer fun and relaxation.  But if you are inlanders like us, regular beach trips just aren't possible.  Though I have wistful memories of visits to the sandy shores of faraway places like Oregon, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Gulf Coast, my children unfortunately do not...yet.  If you live near a lovely wave-swept beach, count yourself blessed!

Nevertheless, crafting with sandpaper is possible almost anywhere.  These longer lasting sandpaper castles can be an outdoor or indoor craft.  Either way, castle builders might enjoy sporting swimsuits during the construction process.

Teaching Point: Earth Science
Along with constructing and decorating the sand castles, kids can learn about how sand forms.  Collect some different kinds of rocks and have kids rub two rocks together over a piece of paper.  Bits of softer rock should fall onto the paper, demonstrating how grains of sand are formed over time.  I know my kids enjoyed such a fun geology lesson, as will yours!

Materials:

• Sandpaper sheets (we bought a variety pack for $1 at Dollar Tree)
• Cups (washed and reused)
• Cardboard beverage holder, optional
• Cardboard tube from paper towels, optional
• School glue or hot glue
• Rubber bands, optional
• Old scissors (since blades will get a little damaged from the sandpaper grit)
• Decorations - such as shells, plastic gems, stones, foam stickers, etc.
• Chalk, optional
• Assorted rocks (preferably of varying hardnesses)
• Paper

Directions:

1. Wrap sandpaper around cups and secure with glue and rubber band or hot glue.  Allow glue to dry.
2. Trim sandpaper and cut decorative square borders if desired.
3. Decorate castles by gluing on shells, gems, and other found objects.  Add more color and details with chalk if desired.
4. Optional: Show how sand grains are formed by rubbing various rocks together over paper.