After a trip to the beach we returned with a bucket full of treasures and decided to make a rock pool in the garden for lots more beach play at home. You can see in the pictures some of the things we collected, and a few we already had at home: pebbles and shells, sand and seaweed and two mermaid’s purses (much to B’s delight).
The girls gave the treasures a clean and then settled them into a new home in a tub of water. They made some fish from scrunched up tinfoil and then were ready to play. Adding in some tea-strainer fishing nets was perfect.
Books about seasides and mermaids
My girls love stories about the sea. Here are two favourites which we’re reading tonight – the perfect bedtime stories after a trip to the beach.
Shirley Hughes books are favourites in our house and The Big Alfie Out of Doors Storybook is L’s favourite of them all. It’s a collection of short stories and poems about outdoor play and adventures. One tells the story of Bonting, Alfie’s treasured pebble who is lost (and later happily found) on a family outing to the beach. The illustrations capture the essence of a UK beach.
Can You Catch a Mermaid by Jane Ray is a wonderful story set by the sea. It’s a moving tale of a lonely little girl and a very hard decision she has to make. It’s all about friendship and features Jane Ray’s beautiful illustrations. B has a real love of mermaids so this is her top pick, and I like it because it can be read on different levels: it has a happy ending and also leaves you thinking about unanswered questions long after you’ve finished reading.
happily shared with gardening with kids and made by little hands and inspire me Monday and tot school and science Sunday and link and learn and craft schooling Sundayand preschool corner and the resource centre and it’s playtime and upcycled awesome and works for me Wednesday and tot tuesday and we play and abc and 123
Your rock pool looks great. I kept meaning to get this mermaid book – thanks for reminding me.
I think you’ll love it Natalie.
Oooh how wonderful! And what a beautiful starfish! Lovely! Love the idea!
Maggy
Oh my kids would love this. We’re going to the beach in a few weeks, so I’ll have to remember this.
What a lovely idea! I must check out the books you have shared 🙂
Hi rosina – they’re great ones, worth looking them out.
what a great idea!
Thanks karen!
Gorgeous! I can see a rock pool turning up at preschool in the near future. Thank you for the inspiration.
Jenny – you’ll have to share a picture if you make one.
wonderful project, thanks so very much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday and for getting the party started!
Many thanks for linking this fab post to the Resource Centre. Lots of classes will be going on school trips soon!
Julia