Close Reading Comprehension 'The Sand Castle’ (4-8 years) - Activity Pack

During a family trip to the coast, Sam's day begins with a series of mishaps. The journey starts with a puncture, causing the family car to come to a sudden stop, leading to a delay as Dad changes the tyre. Sam and his sister Kim wait on a grassy bank, with Sam mischievously trying to catch a gnat to tease his sister, resulting in a scuffle and some stern words from Dad. Upon reaching the crowded beach on a bank holiday, Sam is frustrated to find he has forgotten his swimming trunks, which leads him to paddle in the sea fully clothed, leaving him with soggy clothes. His curiosity is piqued by the seashells on the beach, which he collects, hoping they might be useful for school.

As the family strolls along the promenade, Sam is captivated by a detailed sand sculpture of a dragon, complete with scales and a candle that illuminates its nostrils. An American tourist is impressed by the sculpture, and the sculptor explains that water is the secret to making the sand stick together. Inspired, Sam decides to create his own sand sculpture, but quickly learns that the task is not as simple as it seems when his attempts collapse due to dry sand. His independent adventure comes to an abrupt end when a lifeguard finds him and returns him to his worried parents. The day concludes with the family working together to build a sand boat, capturing a memorable photo as the tide comes in, and enjoying ice creams before reluctantly leaving the beach, with Sam having to part with his treasured shell collection at his father's insistence.