Preparation

Caution: This activity can be challenging, and failures are part of the process. The glue from the glue gun is hot and can cause discomfort if touched. I highly recommend trying this yourself before attempting it with young ones. That being said, I’ve successfully conducted this activity with three-year-olds, and although the glue feels hot, it won’t cause burns.

To get started, gather all materials in a tray, preferably in an area with a handy electrical outlet for the glue gun. Ensure the glue gun is plugged in before commencing the activity, and have aquarium plants pre-cut and ready to go.

Let’s Do It

1. Size Template:
   Draw a circle on a post-it with about half a centimeter space around the edge.

2. Playdough:
   Provide each child with a lump of playdough. Have them spread it over the circle area on the paper to match the size. Remove the playdough from the paper; the paper will be used again soon.

3. Design Practice:
   Encourage kids to practice their design by arranging the components in the playdough. Once satisfied, set aside the design for the next steps.

4. Start:
   Sprinkle colored sand on the post-it, covering the entire circle area. Ensure no paper is visible otherwise, glue will stick to it later.

5. Glue Pool:
   Create a pool of glue on the sand. The glue should not extend past the edge of the sand area to avoid sticking to the paper. This step is best handled by adults, especially with young ones.

6. Transfer Decorations:
   Quickly and carefully transfer the decorations from the playdough to the pool of glue before it hardens. Be cautious not to touch the glue with your fingers as it will ruin the mini-scape and it can feel quite hot.

7. Final Touches:
   If all goes well, you’ll have a beautiful little rockpool scape. It will be ready to touch after about 5 minutes.