SMMARTideas

SMMART ART: Fun in the Sun!

These fun outdoor activities let your child express herself while at play.

Sandcastle Keepsake

You'll need:
3 c fine sand
1 1/2c water
1 1/2c cornstarch
(glitter-optional)
old pot
plastic trash bag (tape)
large spoon

Combine the water, cornstarch in an old pot over low heat.  Add the sand and stir continually until the mixture becomes thick.  You may need to add a little more sand till the mixture is "sturdy" enough to be molded into shapes.  Take the mixture off the heat and let cool.  Dump the sandy mixture onto a plastic trashbag that is laid out like a tarp.  Let your child mold the mixture.  Use measuring cups and spoons, little funnels or cookie cutters to create unique shapes for your sandcastle.

If you are using a sandcastle mold, use a little cooking spray to coat the mold and the packed sand mixture should slide out more easily.  Let your child decorate her sandcastle with shells, glass jewels or other adornments.  You can try incorporating glitter into your mixture while it cooks or sprinkle some on your finished project and shake off the excess when the castle dries.

Sunny Name

Scour the beach or your yard for unique shaped objects- twigs, leaves, rocks, shells.  Have your child lay the objects out on a piece of construction paper to form her name (or the first letter of her name).  Leave the paper in the sun for the day.  When your child removes the objects she'll discover that the sun has faded the paper around the objects and your child's name is left unfaded by the sun.