1. TouchPlaying with sand is a great way for young children to refine their hand-eye coordination as it is a highly sensory material, with a changeable texture. Encourage your toddler to grab, scoop, sift and dig through sand, adding water or using

Sand Play Set made from recycled materials, £16.98 by Green Toys at Toyella

? Although sand will stick together effectively if you mix anywhere between one and 20 per cent water by volume with the sand (this is known because German scientists spent many months studying a pile of sand using a special miniature CAT scanner

or the largest shell on the beach as well as who can find the smoothest shell, the most brightly coloured shell, the heaviest shell6. Play sand bullseye Draw a large circle in the sand and mark a ‘throw line’, then take turns tossing shells or small stones to hit

Literally meaning ‘Whistling Sands’, Porth Oer, Lleyn Peninsula, Wales has dry sand above the high-water mark that might squeak when you walk on it. With sand the texture of fluffy cake mixture and a National Trust beach café selling

waves ripple over your feet as they sink in the sand can still have a strangely comforting affect for all ages – especially if the waves are warm and the setting is picturesque.     But if we want our beaches to be clean and enticing, we all have a role

1. Porthcurno, Cornwall With dramatic rock formations on either side, white sand, turquoise sea and exotic plant life, this narrow strip of land couldn’t be more striking. There is a car park just beyond the sands, and on the cliff tops

lovers can see white lions roaming free. The Gondwana Family Lodge resembles a typical thatched Karoo homestead and has children’s activity rooms, a spacious lawn, an outdoor play area and pool. A guide will even take children through the gardens

The soft white sands of St Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean have always appealed to parents seeking relaxation. But now the islands are just as enticing for children, thanks to the new Kids ‘r’ VIPs scheme where they can try anything from pottery

thousands and old-fashioned charm (99 ice creams and candy floss) is now considered vintage seaside chic.Head to southwest England, home to the stunning Sandbanks beach at Poole, and you’ll find three miles of fine golden sands. Hire a paddle boat, join