Materials
Assortment of plastic animals
Sandbox, sand table or dishpan-type container with sand
Instructions
1. Choose four or five plastic animal toys that will make different tracks in the sand. Slightly damp sand will hold a print better than dry sand.
2. Show the children that each animal makes a different footprint or pattern of prints in the sand. Compare the size, shape and pattern of the tracks.
3. Now let the children work in pairs or small groups. One child hides her eyes while another child chooses an animal to make prints in the sand.
4. The partner, who closed her eyes, tries to match the correct animal to the footprint. Children continue to take turns making tracks and hiding eyes.More to doGames: Again, children take turns hiding eyes, but this time one child chooses an animal to bury in the sand. When the other opens her eyes, she must decide which animal is missing from the group.Outdoors: Take the children outside to look for real animal footprints. Areas with mud or near water are especially likely to have tracks. Try looking on snowy days, too.
