Sand play can be a great time for children to explore many things. They can make shape of star using a sand mold, build a castle of their imagination and buried themselves within the sand. By allowing your child to explore and play with sand it will develop so many important skills that you are not expected at all!

How sand play can help children development?

• Stimulating fine motor skills by sowing, crushing, and grasping the sand can help to build gross and fine muscle.
• Making all senses more sensitive because children always query about something by the sense of touch.
• Writing and drawing skills as it can strengthen children fingers and hand muscle before getting ready to grasp a pencil to write.
• Part of cheerful and fun activities as they can use their creativity and imaginary skills to create a highway track, animal house, cars and etc.
• Encouraging creative thinking.
• Foster language and social development.

Here some sand play safety tips for parents out there!

• Bring your child to a clean beach with a strict rules prohibiting littering.
• If you buy a play sand, check out the origin of sand whether taken from rivers/beaches and avoid sand composed of ground limestone and crystalline silica.
• Natural sand usually does not emit dust or leave clothes and hands dusty, while the crushed mineral sand typically does and this should be avoided.
• Typically, plastic material is the safest sand box.
• If you own a sand box, cover it when it is not in use to keep animals out and make it hygienic.
• Avoid wet sand which can be a breeding ground for parasites and pin worms.
• Raking sand regularly will help to keep it clean, fresh and dry.
• Advise children to wash their hands after playing in the sand.

Happy Parenting!