First-School.ws
Numbers Theme · Sandy Beach · Counting
Preschool Printable Printable Activities

During these activities the children will observe a sandy beach scene, identify and count seashore creatures and other beach related objects. Three of the seashore creatures featured have themed activities and crafts: the crab, the sand dollar and starfish. The second activity is to visit a scene to discover and count seashells.

Materials:

• paper or light blue paper for an instant blue sky background
• coloring tools
• Optional: scissor, glue and one piece of construction paper to frame the scene

Activity 1: Observe and/or print the Sandy Beach · Seashore Scene

1. Visit the sandy beach scene and have the children observe and identify as many objects as they can and assist them with those they don't know.
2. Ask them how many sand dollars, starfishes, shells, crabs, beach umbrellas, beach ball, lighthouse, etc are in the scene.
3. Write down the numbers where the children can see them.
4. You may want to ask what do they think the crab is going to do to the boy in the picture (pinch his toes?)
5. Ask the children a few simple questions about the starfish and sand dollar. How many arms/legs does the starfish have? Where is the mouth of a sand dollar?, How many legs does the crab have?, etc.

Other topics:

• This is a great opportunity to discuss characteristics of the summer season and things that we can do during the summer.
• Discuss the use of an umbrella to protect us from the sun. Discuss how important it is to use a sunblock product to protect our skin.
• Discuss water safety at the beach, rivers, lagoons and swimming pools.

Activity 1 - Part 2:  Sandy Beach Scene Coloring Page Activity:

• Print the coloring page, it can be printed to light blue paper to give it a blue sky background.
• The children can first count and identify the sand dollars, starfishes, and shells, etc.
• Color the scene
• Optional: practice scissor cutting skills by cutting around the thick black frame and then glue unto another colorful piece of construction paper.

Activity 2: Sand Play and Sandcastles Coloring Pages

Sand has been a toy for the young and young at heart for thousands of years. It can be at the beach, a sandbox, sand table, or sand to make other types of sand art and crafts. Sand toys, such as a pail, shovel, and a few containers, like paper cups and of course water are all you need to let your imagination soar. Print some coloring pages to celebrate sand play. It is no surprise that sand was inducted in the Toy Hall of Fame because we all benefit when we play with sand.