Sand Dollar Shakers

Photo: Avian Cetacean at Flickr.com

I've always been fascinated with sand dollars. A variety of legends & associations have been made by beachcombers who run across the bleached skeletons of dead sand dollars on the beaches of the world.

They are sometimes said to be coins lost by mermaids or the people of Atlantis. Christian missionaries found the fivefold radial patterns on the outside and the dove-shaped pieces contained inside to be symbolic. 'Aristotle's lantern' and other associations have been made with the distinctive 'keyholes' of sand dollars.


One of the sensory activities I like to do in the summer with the kids is to make "Sand Dollar Shakers". This simple project and game helps develop visual and fine motor skills, concentration, auditory processing and mid line skills.

The materials are simple and inexpensive: small paper plates, rice, beans or sand, white glue and markers. You may also need some scissors depending on if you decide to draw the design on the plate or use a template and have the students cut it out. (See video below)

The best way for me to show you & explain how to make these is with this quick video I made last year:

After you make the Sand Dollar Shakers, and they dry completely, you can use them as props for movement games to help further develop auditory skills and body awareness. "Shake & Stop" is a fun & simple game (Much Like "Simon Says") where the leader will give instructions and the group follows.

For a complimentary copy of the "Shake and Stop" game, please e-mail:

Barbara@bodylogique.com

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