I’ve seen many examples of the happy sand play daddy since moving to the beach a while back. It always involves a father at the beach with a young child or three working on a sand structure. The kids are eagerly assisting, but the dad is really into it. Were all these guys up late the night before doodling plans for their castles on graph paper, checking tide charts, and sharpening their collection of sand shovels and trowels? Of course not. I’m sure at least 37% of them used 3D rendering software instead of graph paper for their designs.

Here’s a composite happy sand play daddy scene based on the many I’ve observed:

Dad, mid-thirties and sporting a classic dad-bod, “What shall we build next? The other tower or the moat?”

Three-year-old daughter, “How about a tunnel through the castle so crabs can get to the other side easier?”

“Good idea! We’ll have to dig carefully so it doesn’t collapse.”

“What’s collapse?”

“Collapse means fall down. Is that a new word for you?”

“Yep. Can we get donuts?”

“I think we’ll need donuts after working so hard, sure.”

“Can I smash it yet?”

“But we haven’t finished the tunnel.”

“If we smash it, we can go get donuts.”

“But what about the mote and the other tower?”

“Donuts!”

Happy Sand Play Daddy Wrap Up

The kids are always having fun hauling sand and water, helping with construction, and asking for donuts. The dads are always into their construction projects. Everyone is happy. Sometimes mom is nearby. Sometimes she’s helping. The sand construction projects I’ve seen have mostly been dad and kid beach outings. I’ve made daily trips to the beach for the last six months and have yet to observe a mom and kids sand construction project. I’m sure they happen and will be on the lookout so I can do a happy sand play mommy post to bookend this happy sand play daddy post.

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