Beach Mandalas
We just got back from a little winter getaway in Encounter Bay in the Fleurieu Peninsula. It was a bit chilly for us to go swimming, but there is still so much fun to be had on the beach.
Encounter Bay is a sensory delight. We made some mandalas in the sand with things we found on the beach. Half the fun is collecting all the ocean treasures and sorting through them.
Mandalas are very meditative and calming to create. The repetitive patterns and shapes, usually in a circular motion, provide flow and focus, and can reduce stress and anxiety. The layers in each artwork can be symbolic to our own lives and our inner and outer world.
My almost 3 year old got the hang of it really quickly, with some guidance and encouragement. It’s always a beautiful bonding experience to make art together. There is something incredibly healing and grounding about touching sand too! Nothing like a bit of nature and art therapy! What a combo!
I loved witnessing my daughter foraging for shells and other delights, and seeing her excitement as she would run towards me, revealing what she had found. We also spoke about beach safety, and made sure there were no living things inside the shells, being careful of what we touched, and did our best to not disrupt or harm nature.
Creating mandalas in nature is also a good opportunity to teach lessons about the beauty and fragility of nature, impermanence, and the art of letting go.
When it was time to leave the beach, we took a moment to farewell the art, and I explained how we can leave them on the beach for people to find and hopefully make them smile. Eventually they would wash away, like we were never there, but the imprints remain in our hearts.
✅ Meditative ✅ Calming ✅ Connection to nature ✅ Bonding ✅ Symmetry ✅ Creativity ✅ Focus ✅ Fine motor skills ✅ No waste
