Just because summer is nearing its close doesn’t mean the sand and sun have to end, too. This year, my husband built us a fun sand and water play table with simple wood scraps and two rectangular buckets. Ideas for using this new toy are endless; here are just 10 of them.

10. Use Sand for Writing Practice

If your child is a kinesthetic learner—or just will be sure to have fun in the sand—wetting some sand and allowing him or her to draw in it with a stick is a great way to practice numbers, letters, and simple drawings. I know it’s a lot more fun than kindergarten-lined paper, that’s for sure.

9. If You Build It, They Will… Probably Tear It Down

But that’s okay! Building sculptures out of the sand is another great kinesthetic activity for both young and older children.

8. Engage in Pretend Play

After you build your city or moat (or while you do so), use it as a home for small toys, roads for cars, or other fun pretend games. If an (unthreatening) insect happens to come play in the sand, watch and see where he goes. Maybe he’ll move into your new sandy condo.

7. Gross Motor Play

If you have lots of sand—in a big box, say, or the beach—bury your toes in the sand and jump, noting how much more difficult it is than with simple bear feet. Bury each other up to the neck—or just legs, for small children—and see how hard it is to get back up. See if you can give each other silly characteristics, like dinosaur scales or a mermaid tail.

6. Sift for Treasure

Before your children wake up, hide a bunch of small toys—or chocolate coins wrapped in gold, if you want to play “pirates”—and then inform them that there will be a treasure hunt. Let them use your strainer or colander—or their own sand sifters, if they have them—to find all of the pieces. (As with Easter eggs, be sure to count them beforehand so you know how many to find!)

5. Have a Beach Party

If the beach is too far, open up your sandbox for a mini beach party. Invite friends to come dance in the sand, serve fun punch drinks with umbrellas in them, and play Beach Boys music.

4. Simulate a Movie Theater

My awesome older cousin used to do this for us when we were kids: Build a bunch of bucket seats in the sand and have everyone sit down as if you’re in a theater. Take turns getting up in front of the group and performing a “movie” or skit.

3. Cook Something Up

Sand is a great device for pretend food—and isn’t always as messy as mud pies. Bring out some cooking supplies—toys or otherwise—and let the kids cook you up something scrumptious. Use fallen leaves and grass as spices.

2. Do a Matching Game

Instead of randomly hiding items, hide pairs of items and challenge kids to find the pairs.

1. Play

Is there anything better than just improvising in the sand throughout the day? Grab sticks, leaves, shovels, whatever you’ve got and let your child lead you on an amazing adventure.