Hey there! Do you like playing in the sandbox? It’s so much fun to play with friends and use our imagination. When we play, we need to drink water to stay hydrated and keep having fun!
Guess what? Neptune has something important to say. He wants to eat only cupcakes from now on! Cupcakes are yummy, but eating different foods is important too. Different foods help our bodies grow strong and healthy.
Did you know that different foods have different colors and help us in different ways? Vegetables, fruits, grains, and proteins are all important. They help us grow, give us energy, and keep us healthy. Eating a rainbow of foods is fun and good for us!
When we build sandcastles, we use lots of shapes like circles, squares, rectangles, and diamonds. Shapes help us make our sandcastles look amazing! Can you find these shapes when you play?
Mirrors show us what we look like on the outside, but our friends know who we are on the inside. They know what makes us special, like how we love to play and explore. Friends are the best!
Playing music is so much fun! We can choose instruments like the piano, guitar, or drums. When we play together, we make beautiful music. Everyone has a special part to play, and together we make a great team!
Remember to always stay curious and have fun playing. Whether you’re in the sandbox, at the park, or making music, there’s always something new to learn and explore. Let’s play and have a great time with our friends!
Food Rainbow Hunt: Next time you go grocery shopping with your family, look for foods of different colors. Can you find a red apple, a green cucumber, or a yellow banana? Try to find at least one food for each color of the rainbow. Talk about how each food might help your body, just like the article says!
Shape Detective in the Sandbox: When you’re playing in the sandbox, become a shape detective! Look for different shapes like circles, squares, and triangles in your sandcastles. Can you make a sandcastle using at least three different shapes? Share your creation with a friend and see if they can spot the shapes too.
Music and Movement: Gather some friends and make your own band using things you find around the house. You can use pots and pans as drums or shake a container filled with rice as a maraca. Play your instruments together and see what kind of music you can create. How does it feel to make music as a team?
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript, with any inappropriate or unclear content removed or clarified:
—
[Music]
Our imagination is important, and as long as we have proper hydration, we can enjoy playing in the sandbox. It’s a great location, and playing gives us a solid foundation.
On the count of ten, it’s great to play with all your best friends. Come on in, take off your shoes and socks—it’s time for fun in the sandbox!
[Music]
Guys, I have an important announcement to make.
What is it, Neptune?
I am no longer the Neptune you know and love.
You finally started to appreciate naps! Aren’t they the best?
No, I still don’t like naps.
So you’re not going to be incredibly friendly and kind anymore?
I’m still going to be friendly and kind! I’m just going to move out of the ocean into a fancy hotel.
Okay, fine. But from now on, I will only eat cupcakes!
The only snack you’re going to have from now on is cupcakes?
Yes, the only food I will eat from now on is cupcakes!
Why cupcakes?
Because they’re the perfect food and they’re delicious! We eat them during birthdays and celebrations, and I like celebrating.
There are many different possible colors, and they’re so easy to eat.
Apples come in many different colors too—red, yellow, and green.
I never heard of a “Happy Birthday” apple!
Apples are easy to eat, but with a cupcake, all you have to do is take off the wrapper.
With an apple, you can even eat the peel, but I don’t like the peel.
You can take it off, but not as easily as with a cupcake.
Nah, it’s a cupcake life for me!
Don’t you think you’ll get tired of just eating cupcakes?
Nope!
Maybe one way to think about your new plan is, did you ever eat more than one cupcake in a day?
Yes, on my last birthday party, I had four cupcakes.
Good! So how did you like that?
My stomach really hurt, my teeth felt funny, and I had sticky frosting all over my flippers!
But you still want to eat only cupcakes?
I have made my decision, and you cannot convince me otherwise!
You know I like cupcakes too, Neptune, but I heard it’s actually important to eat a lot of different kinds of foods.
Why is that?
Different foods have different nutrients that help the body grow and work the best way it can.
How do you know all that?
Because I love food! My mom got me this special plate called “My Plate.” It’s got different sections with different colors for the types of food that are helpful to eat.
How many cupcakes could you fit on there?
Maybe five if you squish them!
See how this green section is the biggest? That’s actually for vegetables.
What kind of vegetables?
It can be any kind of vegetables you want! Raw green vegetables are my favorite, like cucumbers, peppers, and lettuce.
I like orange and red vegetables too, like squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes.
The red section is for fruits. Fruits also have vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which helps us digest our food.
What kind of fruits are good to eat?
Almost every kind! Different kinds of fruits have different vitamins in them.
Does mango count?
I don’t see why not!
I used to love mango before my cupcake phase.
What’s that orange section for?
That’s for grains, like bread, brown rice, and oatmeal.
I like a nice piece of whole grain toast!
Well, oatmeal is actually not bad.
And what’s the purple section for?
That’s for high-protein foods like beans, meat, peas, eggs, nuts, and seeds. They help build the body and its tissue.
Okay, that’s all really great, but I have yet to hear a section for cupcakes.
And that, Neptune, is where this little blue plate comes in!
Oh, that’s the cupcake plate?
Well, sort of. It’s for anything you’d like to eat along with your meal. It could be a glass of chocolate milk or, in your case, maybe a cupcake.
My mom says a little sugar now and then is A-Okay!
Okay, everybody, snack time is almost over!
But first, I have an important announcement: I will no longer be eating only cupcakes.
Are you sure? Cupcakes are great!
I’ve made my decision, and you cannot convince me otherwise!
Race you to the side!
[Music]
And what’s so cool about that?
Mom’s always telling me if I eat greens, maybe I can grow tall because when I eat bright, I feel bright!
So I eat right! When I eat right, I grow tall!
When I eat right, I sleep well!
So I eat right! When I eat right, I give all my might!
So I eat right—it’s a delight!
I love eating all these rainbow foods!
There are so many reasons to eat them, which include…
[Music]
When I eat bright, I feel bright!
So I eat right! When I eat bright, I grow tall!
When I eat right, I sleep well!
So I eat right! When I eat right, I give all my might!
So I eat right—it’s a delight!
[Music]
Yay! Stay curious!
[Music]
We’re going to the park to play! It’s a sunny day with so many things to see and do. The grass is so green, and the sky is so blue!
Climb up, jump up and down, and turn around on the merry-go-round.
You’ve got so much time to spend to learn, explore, build, and pretend.
It’s so much fun to use our imagination as long as we have the proper hydration!
Playing gives us a solid foundation.
On the count of ten, it’s great to play with all your best friends.
Come on in, take off your shoes and socks—it’s time for fun in the sandbox!
[Music]
The circle goes into the circle shape, and the square goes into the square shape.
The rectangle goes into the rectangle shape, and the diamond goes into the diamond shape.
What? Why are you giving me this?
You have to say the name of the shape and then put it in the hole that’s shaped like it.
What’s wrong, Dane?
Oh, hi Roxy! I just don’t understand why we need to talk about all these shapes. I just want to build a sandcastle!
Well, I’m not trying to ruffle your feathers, but if you’re going to build a sandcastle, you’re going to use a lot of shapes!
No, I’m just going to use sand!
But with just sand?
That’s my family secret recipe! My parents used sand for sandcastles, and their parents did too!
Okay, should we make a bet?
A bet? What’s that?
It’s like a contest. You make a sandcastle, and I bet you’ll use every shape in that shape box.
I bet I won’t use any!
Okay, so this is how it works: if you use every shape—a circle, a square, a rectangle, and a diamond—then I win, and you have to help me build a sandcastle of my own because I love how yours always looks!
And if your sandcastle doesn’t use all the shapes, then I get to live in your nest for a month!
Alright! I personally prefer the quest over the nest, but that’s just one bird talking.
That’s the bet! Sounds good, but we might have to make sure your mom’s okay with that.
Yeah, she probably would want to know if I moved into a bird’s nest.
Let’s do the bet first, and we can call her if I win, and she can bring my pajamas, toothbrush, and lava lamp over.
That sounds fair! Ready to go?
Ready! Start building!
[Music]
Thank you!
[Applause]
That’s a beauty, Dean! Very creative and nicely made!
I agree!
Me too! And most importantly, I didn’t use a single shape!
So, Roxy, make room in your nest!
And I’m not sitting on any eggs—no offense, just not my thing.
Hold on, Dane! I’m not sure you’re right about there not being any shapes.
In fact, I think I see all the shapes!
Where?
Well, let’s look at the sandcastle.
See those four walls?
Yes, I made them with sand!
No shapes!
Could you please hold up the square shape from the toy box?
Sure!
[Music]
It looks like those walls might be squares!
What do you mean?
Tinker, could you please hold up the rectangle shape next to the castle’s drawbridge?
[Music]
Looks like a match!
Did not see that coming!
At least there are no circles or diamonds then!
Could you please hold up the circle over the top of one of the towers?
[Music]
If you look down, you can see that the towers are shaped like circles!
But there’s still no diamonds!
Neptune, could you please hold up a diamond shape next to one of the castle’s windows?
Wow, Roxy, you were right! I needed every shape to make this castle!
You’re a really good sport about it, Dean!
Well, we can talk about it later when we’re relaxing in your nest for the next month.
Uh, actually, I won the bet! You have to make a sandcastle with me!
Oh yeah, I forgot about that! Do you mind if we all help?
I love it! Let’s start making shapes all together!
[Music]
A cube is standing across the street, a trapezoid, a hexagon, two something with three equal sides.
So let’s sit down at our oval on the circle.
Dinner’s on soon afterwards!
Walk out on a rectangle and stare up at the moon!
[Music]
Yay! Stay curious!
[Music]
We’re going to the park to play! It’s a sunny day with so many things to see and do. The grass is so green, and the sky is so blue!
Climb up, jump up and down, and turn around on the merry-go-round.
You’ve got so much time to spend to learn, explore, build, and pretend.
It’s so much fun to use our imagination as long as we have the proper hydration!
Playing gives us a solid foundation.
On the count of ten, it’s great to play with all your best friends.
Come on in, take off your shoes and socks—it’s time for fun in the sandbox!
[Music]
Look what I found!
An ancient mirror!
No, I think it’s just a regular mirror.
But it could be special!
When I look in the mirror, I don’t see myself; I just see a panda who looks exactly like me or my twin sister!
I thought you said you didn’t see yourself!
I don’t, but you said you saw a panda that looks just like you!
Yes, but that’s just what I look like on the outside. The mirror doesn’t show my whole self because it doesn’t show who I am inside.
Someone who loves nature, can see in the dark without a flashlight, and is always saying fantastic things!
How can I make your life in my life better?
None of that shows up in the mirror.
This mirror only works for my outside.
I think that’s what mirrors do.
Maybe it will work differently for you, Cal.
I have my doubts, Patch, but I’ll take a look.
As I suspected, all I see is a colorful six-year-old caterpillar.
It doesn’t show anything about how inside I love to explore and collect shoes!
What about how you love to learn new things, solve problems, and bring out the best in others?
Nope, you’re right, Patch. This mirror only shows my outside, not my inside.
But again, I’m pretty sure that’s what a mirror is for!
Tinker, do you want to try?
Sure! It looks like a three-year-old orange tiger.
But it doesn’t show anything about how I love to float in the water or how I get frustrated sometimes.
What about how you can build almost anything out of nothing and how you love to get your hands dirty for hours and hours building things that have never been seen before?
Nothing about any of that either!
What kind of mirror is this?
All it does is show an image of whatever’s facing it.
I mean, isn’t that exactly what the purpose of a mirror is?
All I see is a green turtle with big eyes and a blue shell.
What about a four-year-old from Japan who doesn’t like naps, loves using his imagination, playing ukulele, swimming backwards, dreaming, and who speaks five languages?
And since we’re being totally honest, over 50 animal calls!
[Music]
Sorry, guys, false alarm! I was just making a point.
Well, we should definitely all chill sometime!
Absolutely!
[Music]
But it doesn’t work, guys!
I’ve got to tell you, this mirror looks totally fine to me—not broken at all!
And as far as I know, all mirrors are supposed to do is show you who you are.
What do you see when you look in it?
I see a me—a two-year-old dog with brown and white fur bouncing up and down, looking at the mirror, then looking at my tail, then chasing my tail!
Chasing my tail!
Still chasing my tail!
Almost catching my tail!
Is that all you see?
What else is there?
What about how you’re always the first one awake?
How you’re so enthusiastic to try new things?
How you’re loud, happy, and always fun to be around?
Yeah! And how I want to be the first dog to reach the highest peak of Mount Everest!
What about that mirror?
Hey, this mirror only shows my outside, not everything inside!
But how’s a mirror supposed to show you what’s inside?
It’s not! That’s what friends are for!
I was excited about your ancient Aztec mirror, Patch, but I’m sorry—I think I’d rather have my friends!
Me too!
[Music]
[Music]
Stay curious!
[Music]
We’re going to the park to play! It’s a sunny day with so many things to see and do. The grass is so green, and the sky is so blue!
Climb up, jump up and down, and turn around on the merry-go-round.
You’ve got so much time to spend to learn, explore, build, and pretend.
It’s so much fun to use our imagination as long as we have the proper hydration!
Playing gives us a solid foundation.
On the count of ten, it’s great to play with all your best friends.
Come on in, take off your shoes and socks—it’s time for fun in the sandbox!
[Music]
Guys, today is the first annual sandbox musical performance! We all get to choose an instrument.
I’d like to play this piano because when I play, it helps me dream and think differently.
Sounds like a perfect fit for you, Zen!
[Music]
[Applause]
What about you, Tinker?
I’d like to play the guitar! I love to use my hands to express myself, and learning the guitar is a great new way to do that.
Here’s the guitar!
[Music]
[Applause]
How about you, Neptune?
I like to have fun and connect with others, and the bass’s job is to connect all the instruments of the band together, which is perfect for me!
[Music]
Observation, Neptune!
How about you, Dean?
I like to shake things up by investigating everything around me, so I think those shakers are perfect for me!
Here you go!
[Applause]
All that we have left are these eight bongos.
Those are yours, Opus.
It’s okay; I’ll just cheer you guys on!
I think I have a better idea!
What do you mean?
I’ll show you!
Okay, everybody, let’s hear some music!
[Music]
How’s that?
What do you think, Cal?
Uh, it was interesting—very interesting!
What do you really think?
Well, when you play music, I think all the instruments have to work together to create melody and rhythm.
What’s melody?
Melody is the tune of the song!
For example, Tinker, play a tune on your guitar!
Okay, that’s really nice!
Now, Opus, try to figure out a good beat that goes with that tune!
A little slower!
Okay, I try to listen to what Tinker is playing.
Good! That’s a good beat!
That beat is our song’s rhythm!
Now, Zen, try to play a sweet, soft tune that works with what Tinker and Opus are doing!
[Music]
That’s lovely!
Now bring the volume up just a little!
[Music]
Okay, Neptune, you’re going to use the bass line to bring everything together—the melody from Tinker’s guitar and Zen’s piano and the rhythm of Opus’s bongos!
[Music]
Like this?
Yeah!
[Music]
Now get ready with that rattle!
Great texture, Dean!
Okay, let’s go again!
Tinker, start us up!
Try to pick up the tempo!
Pick up the… what?
Tempo is how fast the music is played!
Oh, like this?
Yes! Now everyone else, play along!
[Music]
It’s going to be a great performance!
Just try to remember everything you’re doing now, and I’ll be in the audience cheering you on!
What’s wrong, Cal?
It looks like you need a hug and some pancakes!
Nah, I’m just a little sad that I’m not playing an instrument too. You guys sound so good; I wish I were a part of it!
Well, you are! You’re more than part of it!
What do you mean?
We need you to help us all work together! You’re our maestro!
What’s a maestro?
A conductor—the one who puts the whole performance together!
You want me to be the conductor?
Well, if that’s what you want, then it will work!
We’ve got a big performance to practice for!
Hit it, Tinker, Opus, and Neptune!
Let’s hear it, Dean!
Rattle like you’ve never rattled before!
But I have rattled before, you know that!
And I know that, but they have
