Re-creating the beach at home

We spent a lot of time enjoying the beach while we were on holiday, and I was loving how much Monkey was enjoying it, and how occupied he was with building in the sand. Now we are home and the nearest beach is over an hour away and too far to go for a day other than as a special event really! So with the sun shining last week I decided to re-create the beach feeling at home.

We got the paddling pool out and filled early in the morning in the hopes it would warm up. Last time we tried the paddling pool the water was just too chilly for Monkey and he didn’t like it. I thought it was worth a try though. I then got out his sand table, which he does love but is a bit small for making castles etc in, and then decided to use our Tuff Spot for added beach style fun.

The tuff spot is great for messy play and we use it indoors a lot, and I decided it would be a great way to contain the sand while we were outside. Our patio is covered in sand, and I don’t really mind, but in order for him to play in the sand at home, the way he would at the beach, there would have been a LOT more sand on the floor, so I thought the tuff spot may be better. Plus it would be easier to tip back in the sand pit at the end of the day.

Well , long story short, it went really well!

WP_20140613_10_41_46_Pro WP_20140613_11_06_52_Pro

He had a great time in his makeshift ‘beach’ and spent ages in there. He made me laugh because he wouldn’t wear his hat, but he wanted to wear my huge floppy hat that is way too big for him, for ages!!

WP_20140613_11_23_27_Pro

He was also making some fab little sandcastles using a plastic cup of all things!

WP_20140613_11_24_02_Pro

I really didn’t have particularly high hopes for him getting in the paddling pool, so I tried to persuade him to come over next to it and play in the water. He came rushing over and to my huge surprise, jumped right in there!

WP_20140613_11_45_23_Pro

Thankfully by this point the water was nice and warm and he loved it – though he wasn’t really dressed for it and soon had a soggy bottom hehe.

WP_20140613_11_46_24_Pro WP_20140613_11_40_00_Pro WP_20140613_11_39_27_Pro WP_20140613_11_40_16_Pro

After a spot of lunch I thought maybe his  swimsuit would be more comfy in the paddling pool than shorts and he had some more fun in the pool, and we shared an ice lolly 🙂

WP_20140613_12_58_58_Pro WP_20140613_12_58_44_Pro WP_20140613_12_55_01_Pro WP_20140613_12_48_29_Pro

 

Then it was back to the “beach” 🙂

WP_20140613_13_15_52_Pro WP_20140613_13_15_59_Pro

 

Overall it was just a lovely fun day in the sun. He had so much fun playing and needed very little input from me (which I loved). Recreating the beach at home is something I will definitely do again pretty often over the summer! 🙂

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

Learning for Life

43 thoughts on “Re-creating the beach at home

    • Ah yeah that is very clever, we didn’t have it when Monkey was a baby but will definitely remember that for the next one! 🙂 xx

  1. Looks like fun!

    You’re very brave having your washing out at the same time as the paddling pool. Whenever we did that my clothes ended up wetter than when I hung them up.

    Caroline
    Xxx

    • haha this made me chuckle, I hadn’t even thought about it but I can easily understand how that would happen! xx

    • Thanks, I was really pleased with how much he loved it – such a simple form of entertainment and kept him going for hours! 🙂 xx

  2. A home-made beach is a great-idea. We don’t have a tuff spot yet and I’ve been meaning to get one! Maybe now is indeed the time! 😉 #CountryKids.

  3. I am always amazed at how entertaining water and sand can be for little kiddos. I used to teach preschool, the sand/water table and the sand pit outside were always in use.

    • haha I know it’s great isn’t it? Monkey gets so focussed on what he is doing, it’s really lovely! 🙂 xx

  4. It’s so great to be able to spend so much time outdoors having fun in the sun! It looks like Monkey had a wonderful time with his back garden beach experience. Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.

  5. What a great idea. I love the hat! That tuff spot for the sand to play in is a really good idea to allow him to playas he would at the beach.
    Thanks for linking #LetKidsbeKids

  6. Lovely pictures. We do the same with ours. I’m finding the tuff spot really versatile. Ours is currently in the lounge, full of play doh. Rather there than in the rug! #letkidsbekids

  7. It certainly looks like your son had fun with this activity. My kids would love this in our garden in the summer holidays! #letkidsbekids

  8. Pingback: Let kids be kids linky 1/7/14 - Let Kids Be Kids | Let Kids Be Kids

    • Hi, the tuff spot is actually a big cement mixing tray, you can buy them from amazon, I imagine the dog would love it 🙂 xx

  9. Pingback: Ten Easy Ideas for Outdoor Play | Becoming a Stay at Home Mum

Thanks for taking the time to write something. I love comments and read every one xx

Your email address will not be published.