Introduce a game where preschool children are encouraged to look for hidden objects in the sand. Take objects they may enjoy and bury them in a sandbox. Objects could range from bouncy balls to seashells to coins. Tell the children to dig their fingers into the sand and collect the hidden objects. Remind them they are on a treasure hunt, and encourage them to place all found objects in a bucket. This game can be played multiple times.
Making sock heads gives children the opportunity to use their imagination and creativity. Distribute a sock to every child, and have preschoolers fill the socks with sand. Using a rubber band, tie the top of the sock, or the section with no sand. Encourage them to mold the sock so that it resembles a ball, or a head. Give the preschoolers markers, and tell them to draw eyes, a nose and a smile on the sock so that it resembles a head.
Filling small jars with sand is a way to create a beach scene, suggests PreschoolEducation.com, an online educational resource for teachers and parents. Help children fill baby food jars about halfway with sand. Give the youngsters various objects that are typically found on the beach, such as pebbles, seashells and twigs. Have them arrange these objects in the jar so that it resembles a beach scene. Place lids on the jars when finished, and remind them that shaking the jar will cause the arrangement to be disordered.
Outside, incorporate an activity that allows children to freely create a sand village. Give the little ones buckets and shovels, and encourage them to work together to build sand houses, stores, schools and other buildings that are likely seen in a small village or town. Although it's not likely that the creations will resemble houses or buildings, this activity simply lets them be creative and develop team building skills.