OBSA — Week 4 (Toddlers): Pirates — Treasure in the Sand
Our Big Summer Adventure · Week 4 · Toddlers (18 mo–2)

Week 4 — Treasure in the Sand

A gentle pirate week for the littlest crew — sandy play, big shiny "gold," and a happy treasure dig. Calm, sensory, and very mouth-safe. June 22–26 · Toddlers, ages 18 mo–2.

Read this first

This guide pairs with the General Planning Guide and applies Pirates to the Toddlers (18 mo–2) daily schedule — the shorter, gentler 13-block day. For toddlers the theme is exposure, not a project: a sandy treasure bin to return to, big shiny "gold" to find, and lots of warm repetition. There's no hunt and nothing to build — just calm, happy digging. Everything in this week must be mouth-safe (too big to swallow) — see the safety note below. Start with the prep block, then run the days.

Section 1 · The Overview

Week Snapshot

Theme
Pirates — Treasure in the Sand, scaled down to gentle toddler sensory play.
The "anchor"
A sandy treasure bin with big, mouth-safe "gold" to dig and find, returned to daily. Friday is simply a happy treasure dig — not a showcase.
Classroom
Toddlers · ages 18 mo–2 · the shorter 13-block day
Dates
June 22–26, 2026 (Monday–Friday)
Parent-facing hook
"Our littlest pirates are digging in the sand for shiny treasure — gentle, sandy, sensory fun all week."
Developmental value
Sensory exploration, fine-motor digging & grasping, cause-and-effect, comfort through routine.
Logistics
In-house · Phase: Build momentum · Cost: $20–40 · Ops complexity: Low (sand + supervised play)
EF lens this week
Inhibitory Control  Barely present at this age — a soft, happy "ready… go!" now and then. Mostly we just dig and play.
Section 2 · Start Here

Before You Run the Week

How this guide works, a soft note on the week's skill, the safety must-read, what to prep, and what to have on hand. Read these first; the five days follow.

How to use this guide. Each day below is the full run-sheet — every block of the toddler day, in order, so you can print one day and run it from the page. The toddler day is short and gentle (13 blocks), and handwashing is folded into the named blocks.

The 📸 Brightwheel moment is built in. Look for the warm camera callout inside each day — it sits on the sandy treasure block, with the shot to grab and a ready-to-post caption.

Keep it calm and the same. Toddlers thrive on repetition — the treasure bin returns every day; the pirate song repeats. That sameness is the curriculum.

Printing. Use your browser's Print — each day breaks cleanly onto its own sheet.

Read first · mouth-safe

Toddlers mouth everything. Standard pirate doubloons and small craft jewels/sequins are choke hazards for this age. Before Monday, confirm every "gold" piece and craft embellishment passes the choke-test tube (won't fit through it). If Amy's doubloons are too small, swap in large mouth-safe treasure — big plastic gems, wooden discs, or jumbo coins. Supervise the sandy play closely and keep "gold" out of reach between sessions.

Section 3 · The Lens

This Week's EF Lens — a Soft Note

Self-control is just beginning

The camp's lens this week is Inhibitory Control, but at 18 months to 2 years it's only the faintest beginning — and that's exactly right. You don't teach it; you just make a warm, repeated moment where it can show up. For a toddler that's a bright, quick "ready… go!" before digging — the wait is half a second, and that's a real win.

No need to coach or name it much. If a toddler can wait a beat, lovely; if not, that's completely fine. Your real job this week is comfort, sand, and repetition. Just dig and play.

Section 4 · Prep

Before the Week

Simple setup for a simple week. Get these ready over the weekend or Monday morning.

Mouth-safe "gold," choke-tested
Confirm every gold piece passes the choke-test tube. Swap small doubloons for big gems / wooden discs if needed.
Sandy treasure bin
A low, toddler-height sand bin with the big gold mixed in, shallow and easy to find. Keep a count.
Toddler scoops + cups
Chunky scoops and a sturdy cup per child to hold their finds.
Sun protection
Sunscreen on file; shade ready for the late-morning outdoor window.
A pirate song
Pick one simple pirate song to repeat all week — the predictable favorite.
Big, mouth-safe craft bits
Large stickers, jumbo pom-poms, big gold dot-paint — no small jewels/sequins for this age.
Heat plan
Know your hot-day fallback for the afternoon outdoor block (3:30) — shaded, short, or indoor sensory.
Calm sand-to-clean routine
Plan the wipe-down and gold-gather so transitions stay soothing — and gold stays counted.
Section 5 · Supplies

Supplies — Check & Request

Scan against what's in the room; send shortfalls to Amy early. on hand means it's already here. The list is short — and everything in the sand or in little hands must be mouth-safe (too big to swallow).

Furniture & Equipment · order early

  • Low sand bin / table (toddler height)1–2
  • Shade canopy / umbrellasas needed
  • Storage bin (gold out of reach)1

Treasure Materials · all mouth-safe

  • Big mouth-safe "gold" (choke-test first!)plenty
  • Doubloons (only if choke-safe)on hand
  • Chunky scoops8–10
  • Sturdy cups (hold finds)1/child

Craft · big bits only

  • Paper pirate hats (pre-cut)1/child
  • Large stickerspacks
  • Gold dot paint / daubers6–8
  • Washable paint + chunky brushesset
  • Thick paper1 ream
  • Smocks1/child

Per-Child, Sun & Cleanup

  • Sunscreen (check stock)2–3
  • Sun hats (parent / spares)spares
  • Dry wipeslots
  • First-aid kit (check)1
  • Paper towels + sanitizer2–3
Section 6 · The Week

A Gentle, Repeating Week

Barely an arc — and that's the point. The same happy sandy-treasure play returns each day with tiny variations. Friday is just a joyful dig, not a finale.

Section 7 · The Skeleton

The Daily Rhythm

The toddler day is short and predictable — 13 blocks, carried in full in each day plan below. Four are fixed: snack, lunch, nap, afternoon snack.

A note on the sand and the day. The treasure bin lives in the late-morning Outdoor Play window (9:50–10:30) — the cooler outdoor time. The afternoon Outdoor Play (3:30–4:15) is hotter; keep it light and shaded, or bring a small sand bin into shade. Pre-mix plenty of big gold so finds come quick and easy, keep a steady count, and store the gold out of reach between sessions.
Section 8 · The Plans

Five Days, Fully Planned

Each day is the full 13-block run-sheet. The 📸 Brightwheel moment sits on the sandy treasure block.

Day1
Monday
Pirate Hats & Sand
Become little pirates and meet the sandy treasure.
6:30–8:00

Early arrivals, free play (combined). Soft, quiet welcome with the other little ones.

8:00–8:30
Settle In · Table Toys

Gentle table toys as everyone arrives. Warm greetings, calm bodies, a soft start.

8:30–8:50
Opening Circle

A short hello song and a peek at a pirate picture book. "Arrr!" together for giggles. Keep it tiny and warm.

8:50–9:30
Opening Circle / Craft · Decorate a Pirate Hat

Each toddler sticks big stickers onto a pre-cut paper pirate hat — simple, proud, and wearable. Hand-over-hand for those who want it.

9:30–9:50
Fixed
Morning Snack

Wash hands, settle, and snack together.

9:50–10:30
Outdoor Play · Sandy Treasure (treasure)

Sunscreen and hats, then the sandy treasure bin with big shiny gold mixed in. No goal — just dig, scoop, and discover the gold. Stay close, cheer the finds, and keep the gold mouth-safe and counted.

Materials — sand bin, big mouth-safe gold, chunky scoops, dry wipes.

📸 Brightwheel moment
Shot: a toddler in a sticker pirate hat, holding up a big shiny gold piece from the sand.
Ahoy, tiny pirates! 🏴‍☠️ We put on pirate hats and found shiny treasure in our sandbox today. Gentle, sandy, sensory joy for our littlest crew. ⚓
10:30–11:10
Music & Movement · Pirate Song

A simple pirate song with big motions — row the boat, dig the sand. Sing it slowly, more than once.

11:10–11:50
Fixed
Lunch

A calm, cozy meal together.

11:50–12:30
Closing Circle

A quiet song and a book to settle bodies toward nap.

12:30–3:00
Fixed
Nap / Quiet Time

A long, restful nap. Soothe and settle each child.

3:00–3:30
Fixed
Wake-up · Afternoon Snack

Gentle waking, then a calm snack.

3:30–4:15
Outdoor Play (hot — keep light)

Peak heat — shade play or a small sand bin in the shade. Short and easy; indoors on a hot day.

4:15–5:00

Pickups, cleanup, combined care. Tidy together; gather the gold; move to combined care for warm handoffs.

Day2
Tuesday
Dig for Gold
Scoop and dig; find the big shiny gold.
6:30–8:00

Early arrivals, free play (combined). Soft, quiet welcome.

8:00–8:30
Settle In · Table Toys

Calm table toys as everyone arrives.

8:30–8:50
Opening Circle

Hello song and the pirate picture book again — the same one is just right.

8:50–9:30
Opening Circle / Craft · Gold Dot Paint

Dab gold dot-paint onto paper — press, lift, repeat. Big, satisfying, sensory marks. Chunky daubers for little fists.

9:30–9:50
Fixed
Morning Snack

Wash hands, settle, snack.

9:50–10:30
Outdoor Play · Dig for Gold (treasure)

The same sandy bin, lots of big gold mixed in shallow. Show a scoop-and-dig once, then let each toddler find treasure at their own pace. Quick, easy finds; cheer every one.

Materials — sand bin, big mouth-safe gold, chunky scoops, cups, dry wipes.

✦ A soft note — try one happy "ready… go!" before digging. If they wait a beat, smile and cheer; if not, that's fine.
📸 Brightwheel moment
Shot: little hands scooping sand, a big gold piece just uncovered.
Dig, dig, dig — gold! 🪙 So much focus in tiny hands today as our toddlers scooped and found treasure in the sand. Wonderful for fine motor (and endless fun). ⚓
10:30–11:10
Music & Movement · Pirate Song + Dig Motion

Sing the pirate song; add a "dig, dig, dig" motion. Slow and repeated.

11:10–11:50
Fixed
Lunch

Calm, cozy meal.

11:50–12:30
Closing Circle

A quiet song and book before nap.

12:30–3:00
Fixed
Nap / Quiet Time

A long, restful nap.

3:00–3:30
Fixed
Wake-up · Afternoon Snack

Gentle waking, then snack.

3:30–4:15
Outdoor Play (hot — keep light)

Shade play or a small shaded sand bin. Short and easy.

4:15–5:00

Pickups, cleanup, combined care. Tidy together; gather the gold; warm handoffs.

Day3
Wednesday
Shiny Treasure
Sandy gold play with our pirate song.
6:30–8:00

Early arrivals, free play (combined). Soft, quiet welcome.

8:00–8:30
Settle In · Table Toys

Calm table toys as everyone arrives.

8:30–8:50
Opening Circle

Hello song and our pirate song — building the familiar favorite.

8:50–9:30
Opening Circle / Craft · Gold Sponge Dabs

Dab gold paint with chunky sponges — squish, lift, repeat. Soft and sensory; no product needed.

9:30–9:50
Fixed
Morning Snack

Wash hands, settle, snack.

9:50–10:30
Outdoor Play · Treasure & Song (treasure)

The sandy treasure bin again, and this time we sing the pirate song while we dig. Familiar sand, familiar song, together. Warm and joyful — cheer every gold find.

Materials — sand bin, big mouth-safe gold, scoops, cups, dry wipes.

📸 Brightwheel moment
Shot: a toddler grinning at a handful of shiny gold, mid-song.
🎶🪙 We sang our pirate song WHILE we dug for gold today! Familiar tunes + sandy treasure = the coziest, happiest kind of play. ⚓
10:30–11:10
Music & Movement · Pirate Song + Bubbles

Sing the song, then gentle bubbles to chase and pop — a soft, joyful extra.

11:10–11:50
Fixed
Lunch

Calm, cozy meal.

11:50–12:30
Closing Circle

A quiet song and book before nap.

12:30–3:00
Fixed
Nap / Quiet Time

A long, restful nap.

3:00–3:30
Fixed
Wake-up · Afternoon Snack

Gentle waking, then snack.

3:30–4:15
Outdoor Play (hot — keep light)

Shade play or a small shaded sand bin. Short and easy.

4:15–5:00

Pickups, cleanup, combined care. Tidy together; gather the gold; warm handoffs.

Day4
Thursday
My Treasure Cup
Sticker a cup; fill it with gold.
6:30–8:00

Early arrivals, free play (combined). Soft, quiet welcome.

8:00–8:30
Settle In · Table Toys

Calm table toys as everyone arrives.

8:30–8:50
Opening Circle

Hello song and our pirate song — a familiar, cozy start.

8:50–9:30
Opening Circle / Craft · Decorate My Treasure Cup

Each toddler sticks big stickers on a sturdy cup — their own cup for today's gold. Simple and proud.

9:30–9:50
Fixed
Morning Snack

Wash hands, settle, snack.

9:50–10:30
Outdoor Play · Fill the Cup (treasure)

Dig for gold and drop the finds into their own decorated cup — the satisfying "plink" of treasure in the cup is the joy. Lots of easy finds so every cup fills up. Cheer and count together.

Materials — sand bin, big mouth-safe gold, scoops, the decorated cups, dry wipes.

📸 Brightwheel moment
Shot: a toddler dropping gold into their own sticker-covered cup, delighted.
Plink, plink! 🪙 We decorated our own treasure cups and filled them with gold from the sand. So proud of their shiny loot — come see it at pickup! 🏴‍☠️
10:30–11:10
Music & Movement · Pirate Song

The familiar song with a "shake your treasure cup" rattle. Slow, repeated, joyful.

11:10–11:50
Fixed
Lunch

Calm, cozy meal.

11:50–12:30
Closing Circle

A quiet song and book before nap.

12:30–3:00
Fixed
Nap / Quiet Time

A long, restful nap.

3:00–3:30
Fixed
Wake-up · Afternoon Snack

Gentle waking, then snack.

3:30–4:15
Outdoor Play (hot — keep light)

Shade play or a small shaded sand bin. Short and easy.

4:15–5:00

Pickups, cleanup, combined care. Tidy together; gather the gold; warm handoffs.

Day5
Friday
Treasure Dig!
A happy dig — everyone finds gold.
6:30–8:00

Early arrivals, free play (combined). Soft, quiet welcome.

8:00–8:30
Settle In · Table Toys

Calm table toys as everyone arrives.

8:30–8:50
Opening Circle

Hello song and our pirate song one more happy time. "Arrr!"

8:50–9:30
Opening Circle / Craft · Pirate Dot Paint

A pirate-and-the-letter-"P" dot-paint page — big daubers, happy dots. A keepsake to send home with the gold.

9:30–9:50
Fixed
Morning Snack

Wash hands, settle, snack.

9:50–10:30
Outdoor Play · Treasure Dig! (treasure)

The gentle finale — the sandy bin loaded with big gold and all the week's favorites. One happy "ready… go!", then everyone digs and fills their cup. No event, just a joyful, well-supervised dig with the pirate song playing.

Materials — sand bin, lots of big mouth-safe gold, the cups, scoops, dry wipes.

✦ A soft note — by Friday some toddlers wait for "go" on their own — a whole week of the gentle game paying off.
📸 Brightwheel moment
Shot: the happy scene — toddlers digging together, cups full of shiny gold.
🏴‍☠️🪙 TREASURE DIG DAY! Our littlest pirates dug in the sand and filled their cups with gold. Sandy, shiny, and so happy. What a gentle pirate week! ⚓
10:30–11:10
Music & Movement · Pirate Party

One last joyful sing of the pirate song with all the motions. Familiar and warm.

11:10–11:50
Fixed
Lunch

A happy, cozy meal.

11:50–12:30
Closing Circle

A quiet song and book before a well-earned nap.

12:30–3:00
Fixed
Nap / Quiet Time

A deep nap after a happy week.

3:00–3:30
Fixed
Wake-up · Afternoon Snack

Gentle waking, then snack.

3:30–4:15
Outdoor Play (hot — keep light)

Gentle shade play to close the week. Short and easy.

4:15–5:00

Pickups, cleanup, combined care. Tidy together; gather and count the gold; send the gold-filled cups home; warm handoffs.

One guide, one week, one classroom. This is the Toddlers (18 mo–2) plan for Pirates — Treasure in the Sand. The Bigs and Littles run the same theme scaled up — switch rooms in the menu up top. Pair it with the General Planning Guide. Prints cleanly, one day per sheet.