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!
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!!
He was also making some fab little sandcastles using a plastic cup of all things!
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!
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.
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 🙂
Then it was back to the “beach” 🙂
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! 🙂
We used the tuff spot for sand last year too and Potato loved it. It also makes a great v shallow paddling pool that warms up very quickly. Great for babies 🙂
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
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
What a lovely idea. Water, said and sunshine are almost the perfect combination really aren’t they 🙂
Thanks, they really are, especially to kids and toddlers! 🙂 xx
That should be ‘sand’ by the way!
lol my brain totally read it as sand anyway, funny how we skip over some mistakes when we read! xx
Such a lovely idea. You can see how entertained he was by it, too. I love our tuff spot, too – so handy! x
Thanks, I was really pleased with how much he loved it – such a simple form of entertainment and kept him going for hours! 🙂 xx
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.
Thanks, ooh yes you should go for it, they are great fun! xx
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
We love playing in sand here too and to be able to recreate that beach feel is just fab, who needs the coast eh 🙂 #countrykids
It’s great isn’t it? Such a fab form of entertainment and lots they can learn too. 🙂 xx
So lovely! I love that if you cant go to the beach bring the beach to your house =) Genius! And so worth it as your Lil Monkey is having a blast =) #CountryKids
Thanks, he really did have so much fun so definitely worth it 🙂 xx
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.
Thanks Fiona, it really is so lovely and he loved every second! xx
I love this idea if bringing the beach to the garden and the idea of plastic cup sandcastles is fab! Xx
Thank you, he was so funny, he has buckets, but no the plastic cup was the best castle maker 🙂 xx
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
Thanks Karen, it really orked well and he enjoyed it so much, we will definitely be doing it again!! xx
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
Thank you. Its great isn’t it? And you are right, so versatile! 🙂
It certainly looks like your son had fun with this activity. My kids would love this in our garden in the summer holidays! #letkidsbekids
Oh I bet they would, definitely worth a try! 🙂 xx
I’ve been looking for the name of these black trays for ages. Looks like you had loads of fun # letkidsbekids
Ooh they are brilliant, I got mine from amazon : xx
I love the hat and shades, Monkey looks like he had great fun #letkidsbekids
Thanks! He is obsessed with his shades at the moment, and he did have a lot of fun! xx
I love his sunglasses! Super cool. What a brilliant idea, looks like he loved it. Thanks for sharing at the Outdoor Play Party 🙂
Thank you he did love it, thanks for hosting! xx
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Such a lovely and simple idea but perfect to enjoy the summer sun 🙂 #thethemegame
Thanks Iona 🙂 xx
Oh yes, he certainly looks like he enjoyed himself in there Caroline! Who needs a car ride in a hot car anyway?! #TheThemeGame
Thank you, he really loved it! haha very true! xx
Popping in from #thethemegame 🙂 What is the tuff spot thing please? I don’t have kids but it looks ideal to put water in for the dog to cool off in the garden!
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
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