DIY Sand Combs

Here is a very inexpensive way to make sand combs for children to use during sand play.

I remember having sand combs for children to use many years ago but it wasn’t until I read a post on Made By Joel that I remembered about them.

Joel made his sand combs out of wood. They are beautifully simple and look like they’d be a delight to use.

However, as my wood work skills are basically non-existent, I opted to make our sand combs out of some recycled material (otherwise known as ‘junk’). In this case, the recycled materials were the plastic lids of ice-cream containers.

The lids were first cut in half with a strong pair of scissors.

Next different patterns were cut along one edge of each comb – wavy, jagged, straight and curvy.

True, they’re not as beautiful as wooden combs … however, they were quick to make and inexpensive.

Furthermore, these sand combs tolerate salt water well – which is a good thing considering the way my boys play on the beach.

I love the way children take a piece of equipment and use it in a unique manner – such as dragging it along the length of the beach. What a great way to develop spatial awareness!

You may also like these activities:

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Tumbling Bunnies

Return to the Articles List for other children’s learning activities or children’s book reviews.