Sand Tray

Sand Tray
Language - Writing
Level	Primary
Prerequisites	Sandpaper Letters Rough and Smooth Boards
Materials	fine sand or salt tray of a contrasting color

This activity allows the child to practice forming written letters.

Presentation

1. Allow the child to experiment with the sand tray by making basic shapes or lines.

   

2. Select a letter to practice. Trace the sandpaper letter, then make the same letter in the sand.

   

3. Show the child how to rub their fingers together over the tray to clean them.
4. Show the child how to gently shake the tray side-to-side to clear it.

Control of Error

The child can compare their writing in the sand tray to a sandpaper letter.

Variations and Extensions

• A chopstick or other tool could be used to practice with the sand tray.

  

  Source: Little Schoolhouse in the Suburbs

Material

The tray and the sand should be of very different colors so the letters will show up more.

Make Your Own

• This sand tray was made from a shadow box:

  
  

  Source: What DID We Do All Day?

• Salt can be used instead of sand:

  

  Source: A Handmade Childhood

• This was a zen sand garden purchased from a dollar store:

  

  Source: Little Schoolhouse in the Suburbs

Where to Buy

Prices and links checked: 23 January 2022
(Amazon/Bookshop are affiliate links, which help cover costs of running the site.)

Sand Tray
Store	Price
Alison's	$24.00
Lord Co.	$56.87
Montessori Services	$83.00
Primary Concepts	$39.99