🏖️ PLAY in the SAND Day 2025 – Aug 11

🏰 PLAY in the SAND Day ORIGIN & HISTORY

Neither the founder nor the creative origin of this holiday has ever truly been established — for all we know your little nephew could have suggested it! We do know PLAY in the SAND Day is celebrated on the 11th Day in August.

PLAY in the SAND Day was originally about making artistic sandcastles and soft sculptures out of sand and water but now it encompasses anything you do in the sand. Many major beaches around the world hold contests for the best artistic works. The day is all about playing in the sand and enjoying yourself.

You can visit nearby playgrounds and you’ll always see children in sandboxes. Host a sand sculpture contest with your friends, bring in a children’s pool filled with sand, and hide objects in the sand to conduct a treasure hunt event. Visit nearby beaches and take a walk in the sand or play volleyball with your friends on the sand.

Playing in the SAND around the World

Sand sports are recreational activities played on sandy surfaces, typically on beaches or in sand courts. These sports offer a unique and challenging experience due to the shifting nature of sand, requiring players to use different skills compared to traditional sports played on solid ground. Here are some popular sand sports:

Beach handball is a variation of team handball and is played on sand instead of indoors. Sand yachting is a sport where a vehicle is propelled over the sand by wind using a sail. Beach flags is an Australian lifesaving activity to practice sprinting across soft sand. Sandboarding is a board sport similar to snowboarding but performed on sand dunes instead of snow-covered mountains.

Wrestling done on sand is beach wrestling. Beach soccer is a variation of soccer that’s played on sand. Beach volleyball is a variation of volleyball but played on sand courts. Frescobol is a paddle ball sport that originated in Brazil and is played on the beach. In Israel, it’s called Matkot and is their national beach sport. Beach racing, you guessed it, involves racing vehicles on the beach.

HEALTH Benefits of Playing the SAND

Playing in the sand has several health benefits. It reduces anxiety and stress by increasing mindfulness of the present moment, calming the mind, and reducing stress.

Engaging in sand play encourages physical activity as children and adults when we dig, build, run, and explore. These movements promote gross motor skills development, coordination, and balance. Training and playing on the sand can activate and strengthen lesser-worked areas such as ankle and foot muscles which aren’t used to working, flexing, and adjusting to an ever-changing uneven, shifting surface. Additionally, the soft and yielding nature of sand offers a low-impact surface, reducing the risk of injuries during active play.

Beyond physical benefits, playing in the sand fosters mental and emotional well-being. The soothing sound of the waves, the warmth of the sun, and the sensation of sand underfoot create a calming environment that promotes relaxation and stress reduction. The open-ended nature of sand play encourages imaginative and creative thinking, allowing individuals to experiment, problem-solve, and explore their creativity. This type of play is known to enhance cognitive development and nurture a sense of curiosity and wonder.

Social interactions are also enriched through sand play, as it often involves collaboration, sharing, and communication. Children and adults alike can engage in cooperative activities like building sandcastles or playing beach games, fostering social bonds and interpersonal skills.

Whether enjoyed individually or with others, playing in the sand provides a rejuvenating escape from the demands of daily life, offering holistic health benefits for individuals of all ages.

🪣 HOW to Celebrate & Observe PLAY in the SAND Day?

Not sure how to LOVE the day? We’ve got a few interesting ideas to consider that may help get you started.

Here are some activities that you can do on PLAY in the SAND Day!

💙 Sandy ACTIVITIES

Remember to follow local beach regulations, practice responsible environmental behavior, consider the safety and comfort of the children, provide shade, sunscreen, and plenty of water, and supervise their activities to ensure these safe and enjoyable ways to celebrate PLAY in the SAND Day.

• Sandcastle Extravaganza – Provide buckets, shovels, and molds for building sandcastles. Encourage kids to get creative and build their dream sandcastles, complete with moats, towers, and decorations.
• Seashell Treasure Hunt – Organize a seashell treasure hunt where kids search for different types of seashells. You can even provide small prizes for the most unique finds.
• Sand Art Creations – Bring along colored sand or even natural materials like leaves and flowers to create beautiful sand art designs directly on the beach.
• Beach Scavenger Hunt – Create a list of items commonly found at the beach, such as seagull feathers, sea glass, and smooth pebbles. Challenge kids to find them all.
• Sandy Play Dough – Make homemade sand play dough by mixing sand with a simple dough recipe. Kids can mold and shape their own creations using this unique play material.

• • Sand Sensory Play – Provide buckets of sand and different tools like spoons, funnels, and sifters for kids to explore and engage in sensory play.
  • Sand Tunnels and Ditches – Dig tunnels and ditches in the sand, creating a mini landscape for toy cars or other small objects to explore.
  • Beachside Storytime – Bring along a favorite book and have a relaxing storytime session with the soothing sound of the waves in the background.
  • Sand Mosaics – Use seashells, pebbles, and other beach finds to create intricate mosaic designs right on the sand.
  • Sandball Fight – Like a snowball fight, but with soft sandballs! Form sand into balls and have a friendly sandball fight with friends or family.
  • Sandy Obstacle Course – Create a mini obstacle course using mounds of sand, tunnels, and other features. Kids can crawl, climb, and navigate through the course.
  • Sand Tic-Tac-Toe – Draw a giant tic-tac-toe grid in the sand and use seashells or other beach items as game pieces.
  • Sand Volcano Experiment – Build a sand volcano by creating a mound with a hole in the top. Pour baking soda into the hole and then add vinegar to watch a fizzy “eruption.”
  • Sand Play Dough Ice Cream Stand – Create “sand play dough” ice cream cones and pretend to run a beachside ice cream stand.
  • Beach Ball Games – Play games like beach ball soccer, beach ball relay races, or simply toss the beach ball back and forth.
  • Sand Animals – Encourage kids to create sand versions of their favorite animals using their hands or sandcastle tools.
  • Beach Bowling – Set up a game of beach bowling using empty water bottles as pins and a small ball to knock them down.
  • Sand Volleyball for Kids – Set up a mini volleyball net for kids to play a fun and less competitive version of beach volleyball.
  • Sand Pictionary – Draw pictures or write words in the sand and challenge kids to guess what you’ve drawn or written.
  • Nature Art Collages – Collect beach treasures like seashells, rocks, and seaweed to create nature-inspired collages on the sand.

💙 RAISE Social Awareness

Use social media posts with the hashtags #PlayInTheSandDay, #SandDay, #SandArt, #Beach, #SandCastle, #FunHolidays, #AugustHolidays, #Holiday, #FindADayToLOVE, #iHEARTdays to support the importance of celebrating, promoting, and sharing with the world why you ❤️ PLAY in the SAND Day.

LEARN more about PLAYING IN SAND

PLAYING IN MOROCCO’S SAHARA DESERT SANDS

SOME OF THE MORE IMPRESSIVE SANDCASTLES

FOURTEEN Fun Facts you never knew about PLAY in the SAND Day

1. Playing in the sand isn’t just fun; it can also be therapeutic. Sand play is often used in occupational therapy to help children develop fine motor skills, sensory awareness, and creativity.
2. A teaspoon of sand from a beach can contain thousands of microscopic organisms, including bacteria and tiny creatures.
   
3. Sand’s ability to retain heat makes it useful for creating beach bonfires, as it helps maintain a consistent temperature for cooking.
4. Some cities have created artificial beaches, bringing truckloads of sand to landlocked areas giving residents a taste of beach life.
5. Certain beaches, like Pfeiffer Beach in California, have purple-colored sand due to manganese garnet particles in the sand that trickled down from the nearby mountains after a rainfall.
6. In some cultures, walking barefoot in the sand is believed to have health benefits, promoting relaxation and grounding.
7. Kinetic sand is a popular play material that feels like wet beach sand but is actually a special mixture of sand and polymers that sticks to itself.
8. Zen gardens, also known as Japanese rock gardens, often incorporate carefully raked sand patterns to create a sense of calm and mindfulness.
9. The earliest known sandcastles were created by ancient Egyptians. They used a mixture of sand and water to build small models of pyramids.
10. “Moon sand” is a type of moldable play sand that holds its shape better than regular beach sand, making it great for building structures.
11. Sand dunes provide essential habitat for various plant and animal species, helping to stabilize coastal areas and prevent erosion.
12. While beach sand is typically fine and round due to wave action, desert sand is often larger and more angular due to wind erosion.
13. Beach volleyball originated in Santa Monica, California, in the 1920s. It gained popularity as a recreational activity before becoming an official sport.
14. The tallest sandcastle ever built stood at a staggering 69 feet and 5 inches (21.16 meters) tall. It was constructed in Blokhus, Denmark, in 2021. It took more than 6,400 tons of sand to construct. In fact, the human sculptures on the castle are the same size as real people!

Famous PEOPLE also born on August 11th

• Steve Wozniak

  American inventor, computer programmer, and electronics engineer who played a pivotal role in the personal computer revolution. “Woz” is best known as the co-founder of Apple Inc alongside Steve Jobs. Born 1950.

  STEVE WOZNIAK Quote

  “Never trust a computer you can’t throw out a window.”

• Terry Eugene Bollea

  One of the most famous professional wrestlers in history. Hogan was a major figure in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) during the 1980s and 90s spawning Hulkamania. Born 1953.

  HULK HOGAN Quote

  “God created the Heavens, he created the earth! He created all the Hulkamaniacs! Then, he created a set of 24-inch pythons, brother!”

• Chris Hemsworth

  Australian actor who gained worldwide fame for his portrayal of Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hemsworth is known for his charming personality and impressive physique. Born 1983.

  CHRIS HEMSWORTH Quote

  “I have sporadic OCD cleaning moments around the house. But then I get lazy and I’m cured. It’s a very inconsistent personality trait.”

Future DATES for PLAY in the SAND Day

🐚 Playing in the Sand FAQ

WHEN is PLAY in the SAND Day?

• PLAY in the SAND Day is an annual celebration held on August 11th each year.

What are the BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN playing in the sand?

• Playing in the sand can promote sensory development, creativity, fine motor skills, and imaginative play. It offers a natural and engaging environment for kids to explore and learn.
  

What should I BRING for a day of playing in the sand at the beach?

• For a super fun day at the beach, bring things like sunscreen to protect your skin, a bucket and shovel for building sandcastles, a frisbee or beach ball for games, snacks for a yummy picnic, and don’t forget your bathing suit and a towel for splashing in the water!

Why we L💜VE PLAY in the SAND Day

Love for PLAY in the SAND Day lies in its ability to tap into our innate desire for play, creativity, relaxation, and a deep connection to nature. It’s a day that celebrates the simple pleasures of life and invites us to embrace the wonder and magic of the sandy world around us.

1. An Unplugged PHYSICAL & MENTAL Refreshment

   Playing in the sand engages the body and mind in playful activities, contributing to physical exercise and mental relaxation. It’s a refreshing break from daily responsibilities. In a world dominated by technology, this is a chance to disconnect from screens and immerse oneself in nature. It’s a reminder of the simple joys that come from outdoor play.

   The beach setting promotes relaxation and mindfulness. The sound of the waves and the feel of the sand can help reduce stress and promote a sense of calm.

2. Joyful Family & Friends BONDING Playtime

   PLAY in the SAND Day encourages families to come together and enjoy quality time outdoors. It provides an opportunity for bonding, sharing, and creating lasting memories. Playing in the sand brings joy and happiness to children’s lives. It’s an opportunity to have unstructured playtime evoking the simple pleasures of nostalgic memories of carefree childhood days spent at the beach or in the backyard sandbox.

3. UNPLUGGED Beach Getaway Fun

   For those who live near the coast or have the opportunity to visit the beach, PLAY in the SAND Day becomes a mini-vacation, allowing people to escape from routine and unwind by the water.

4. Sensory NOSTALGIC Delight

   The feel of the sand between your toes, the soothing sound of the waves, and the warmth of the sun create a sensory experience that’s both calming and invigorating.

   Playing in the sand often evokes nostalgic memories of carefree childhood days spent at the beach or in the backyard sandbox allowing people to relive those cherished moments and share them with new generations.

Showcase Your Sandy Art