10 mini sand animals in action!
Author: Tanja Damhof
Webshop owner and mother
10 Play Suggestions: Discover and relax with the Mini Sand Animals
A mini sand animal isn't just a little friend—it's soft, sturdy, sensory-rich, and super fun to play with. Each animal is filled with fine sand, providing subtle proprioceptive stimulation . It's ideal for playfully exploring how children can use their hands and bodies. Below, I'll share some ideas for working with children to help them develop their motor skills, senses, and social skills.
Fine motor skills
Want to get kids' fingers moving in a playful way? Try this:
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Throw and aim game: Have the sand animals gently throw at a basket. This helps children practice hand-eye coordination and learn to estimate how much force they need. Vary the distance between the baskets and the size of the animals to make the game easier or more challenging.
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Discover: One animal has tentacles, another tiny ears, and yet another a long, flexible body that can be coiled and curled. By exploring this, children exercise their fingers and hand strength without even realizing it!
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Gently knead, roll, and pet: the animals can be kneaded, rolled, or gently scrunched. Perfect for stimulating tactile and fine motor skills while having fun.
Gross motor skills
Exercise is important, and with the sand animals you can do this in a playful way:
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Imitating animals: Look together at which animal you have and discuss how it moves. Can you jump like a frog or slither like a snake? This way, children move their entire body, improve their balance and coordination, and combine imagination with movement.
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Balance course: Place an animal on your arm or hand and walk a short course together. This way, children learn to use their body awareness while having fun.
Sensorics
The mini sand animals are ideal for stimulating the senses and bringing peace:
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Grasping and squeezing: The weight helps children feel how hard they need to squeeze and gives them proprioceptive feedback on their hands and fingers.
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Quiet moments: let children gently knead or hold something. Perfect for relaxing after school or during a busy day.
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Free play: Just let the animals speak for themselves. Children discover which shapes and movements each animal can make, thus developing their creative play.
Social skills
Playing together is also fun and educational:
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Talking animal in the circle: Use a mini sand animal during a group discussion. The child holding the animal gets to talk, and then the animal is passed around. This way, children learn to listen and talk in a fun way.
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Pretend play: Let children make up stories about the animals together. Neighing zebras, rolling turtles, or hopping bunnies – anything goes!
"Little elephant in the forest, don't let go of your mother"
In short:
The mini sand animals are little friends full of surprises. They invite children to feel, move, explore, and play together. Whether you throw, squeeze, balance, or simply hold them – with these animals, learning and playing becomes a joy.
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