Make a Sandy Summer Sun

Sandpainting involves the use of colored sand atop a surface to make a textured painting. From the Native American sandpaintings of the Southwest to temporary Buddhist Mandala creations, people have been using this technique for centuries to transform plain paper, cloth, or even wood, into beautiful art!

Celebrate the beginning of summer with your child by helping him make his own unique sandpainting—filled with bright color, shape, and texture. Make a traditional yellow sun, or try a gorgeous pink and purple sunset for a different, dazzling effect.

What You Need:

• Colored craft sand in at least three different colors (such as yellow, red, and orange)
• Clear drying, non-toxic glue
• Paint brush
• Plastic cup
• Cardstock or other thick paper
• Crayon

What You Do:

1. Ask your child to draw an outline of the summer sun. Include shapes such as a circle for the sun, and long triangles for the rays. Take the opportunity to sneak in shapes practice, and have him name the specific shapes as he draws them.
2. Now, mix two parts glue to one part water in the plastic art cup (not to be used for food products). Invite him to outline the sun lines he's drawn with glue (directly from the bottle), and then quickly paint the glue/water mixture onto the interior of the sun and ray shapes.
3. Then, have him sprinkle the colored craft sand onto the glue. The options are endless: Try creating segments of different colors, such as a yellow circle with alternating red and orange rays. Set aside for at least one hour to dry.
4. Now for the revealing! Ask him to gently shake off the excess sand to reveal a shining sun. Place the excess sand back into a container to use for another art project.

Extend this activity into the other seasons by creating a four section sun and sand masterpiece. Start with the summer sun, and add a new one for each season using different colors. Add grey for a rainy spring sun, or white for a snowy winter sun as your child learns about the weather and his environment!