Toddlers and preschoolers alike love to play in sand and water. Creating a Sensory Circus Day where the students can rotate through various stations is a great way for them to explore the properties of sand and water through play. Children will love discovering the properties of sand and water with this toddler or preschool activity!
Materials required for this are few and most classrooms have the necessary items on hand. You will need several tubs, sand tables or small wading pools, a source of water to fill the tubs, play sand, fish tank gravel (rinsed well to remove any dust), sand toys, assorted items that float and sink (include a pumice stone), soaps, items to bury in sand, and measuring cups and spoons. Towels and dry clothes will be necessary, as well.
Students will rotate through each station. Time management is necessary to be sure every student has a chance to participate at every station for this toddler activity.
Building Sand Castles Station - This station will contain a tub of damp sand and sand toys. Children will create structures using the damp sand and can compress it between their hands to form shapes.
Dry Sand Station - This area will contain a tub of dry sand and sand toys like wheels and cups so that the fluid property of dry sand can be explored.
Find the Buried Treasure Station - Here you will set up a tub of sand which can be damp or dry. Items are buried for the children to locate using their hands.
Free Play in Fish Gravel Station - This station will have cups and other sand tools. The bright colors and the smooth texture of the gravel is fun for the kids to explore.
Soap Float Station - Does soap float? How do you know? Be sure to include a bar of Lava and Ivory soaps. Talk about the importance of washing hands and keeping the soap clean so germs do not grow.
Float or Sink Station - Do rocks float? Why or why not? What makes an object float? What makes it sink? Hand each object to a child and ask them to predict what the object will do. Be sure to include a pumice stone or two. Ask students to explain why they think pumice floats.
Plain Water Station - Here, the water can be colored for fun if so desired. This tub will contain water and water toys. Allow for free water play to explore the properties of water. Can you hold water in one hand? What about two hands?
Have students make a picture of their favorite station. Hang the pictures around the room.
Discovering the properties of sand and water with a Sensory Circus Day is sure to be an activity your toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy - not to mention learn a lot from!