Sand Sculptures
Source:
Noss National Nature Reserve, teaching and activity pack (SNH) and the Grampian National Nature Reserves, activity guide (SNH)
OBJECTIVES
- To use natural materials to make a sand sculpture
Time
20-60 minutes
You will need
- sandy beach
- prizes (optional)
- camera (optional)
Did you know?
Tentsmuir, St Cyrus and Forvie National Nature Reserves are some of the many sandy beaches that you will find in the 'Where to go' section.
Before the activity
Show the children pictures of art work and sculptures made using natural materials (see downloads below)
Choose a clean beach without harmful flotsam and jetsam
The activity
Let the children design their own picture or sculpture on the sand using seaweed, pebbles, shells, sand, driftwood, and safe flotsam and jetsam from the tide line. Make suggestions if they are stuck for ideas: whales, snakes, mermaids, dragons, boats, giants etc. They could also work in teams and be given a theme such as 'a mysterious yet to be discovered creature'. First they brainstorm how it is going to move, does it have wings? How many legs? What is it's body shape, how big is it going to be? What materials are they going to use? Then they get a set time to design their 'animals'. The creatures are photographed and prizes could be given.
Alternative suggestions
The children could make patterns and designs in the sand, getting inspiration from naturally arranged pebbles, shells or wind sculptured sand. Each 'piece of art' could be photographed.
The children could look at rock pools for inspiration and then choose a rock pool creature to sculpt. It's name and anything special about it, could then be written in the sand beside it.
Everyone could work together on a chosen design or creature. It could be outlined in the sand and then the various sections 'coloured in' with pebbles / shells or seaweed of different colours and textures.
Suggested Follow up
- Find out more about art and sculpture using natural materials
- Arrange Autumn leaves to make an exploding sun or comet, or weave stalks together to make a leaf sculpture
Additional Information
- Photographs of the amazing animal sculptures made from scrap metal by the Scottish artist Helen Denerley
- Photographs of many kinds of art from natural materials by Andrew Goldsworthy (search by forms or materials)
Curriculum Links
Expressive Arts - main
Age Range
1,2,3,4