Best Sandbox Ideas for Kids

Best Sandbox Ideas – A sandbox is a fantastic outdoor play area for kids that is perfect for the backyard or patio. Below you will find a unique collection of epic sandbox ideas for kids. Follow any one of the do it yourself sandbox plans listed to make your own DIY sandbox, or, purchase one of the awesome ready-made outdoor sandbox ideas!

Below you will find an awesome collection of outdoor sandbox ideas, tips, tutorials, and hacks for backyards and patios everywhere!

We have included links to DIY sandbox plans, and, ready-made sandbox ideas to help you find a sandbox for your children that will fit your needs.

They type of sandbox you choose will depend on the age of your children, the space that you have available, and personal preference.

An outdoor chalkboard, mud kitchen, sunflower house, or fairy garden also make wonderful outdoor play areas for children.

Related: Outside Activities for Kids

What is a Sandbox or Sandpit?

A sandbox or sandpit is an amazing outdoor play area or space for kids to engage in sensory and/or imaginative play. There are many ways to make or build a sandbox. Basic design plans form a box shape while natural sandbox ideas are made to blend in with the surrounding landscape.

This list of creative sandbox ideas includes everything from toddler sandbox ideas to kids sandbox ideas that will blow the neighbors’ minds!

Sandbox Ideas

There are lots of creative sandbox plans that make it easy to build a sandbox with a cover or without one. We have made it easy for you to find everything from simple sandbox designs to a DIY sandbox that will amaze your children and their friends!

We have found upcycled sand tables and sandbox boats, sandbox made to look like a car, sandboxes built with a cover, covered sandboxes with convertible seats; and naturally landscaped sandpits that would make anyone want to sit down and play in the sand.

To make it easy to find the type of sandbox that you are looking for, we have placed this collection of sandbox ideas for kids into categories and listed them by type.

1. Best Sandbox Ideas for Toddlers

The toddler sandbox ideas listed below would also be perfect for families that live in small homes, townhouses, and apartments because they can be used in small yards and on small patios. Many of these ideas are portable and can also be used indoors.

Play and Store Sandbox with Cover
Portable see-thru sensory table on wheels – Great sandbox for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners for indoor use
Turtle Sandbox
Extra large portable sand tray with lid
Portable Sand (or water) play table on wheels

2. Cool Sandbox Hacks and Tips

In this day and age, there are life-changing hacks for everything under the sun, and backyard sandboxes are no exception! Check out this collection of fun outdoor sandbox hacks for your patio or backyard. These outdoor sandboxes would also be great for small yards and patios.

Tent Sandbox | Coconut Love
Tractor Tire Sandbox | I Heart Naptime
Pool Sandbox with Tutorial for Cover | What Shall We Do Today? Life as an Air Force Family

3. Best Sand Tables for Kids

Outdoor sand tables are a simple option for any backyard no matter the size, and many of them are portable. Many of these sandbox ideas could be used as sand or water tables in small yards, decks, and patios.

Another fun idea is to make, or purchase, more than one sensory table to use for sand, water, gravel, slime, or any type of sensory play material!

Naturally Playful Sand Table
DIY Style #1 Sand Table | Prodigal Pieces
Sandbox Table | Shanty 2 Chic
DIY Sand (and/or water) Table | Boxy Colonial
30 Minute DIY Sensory Table | Teaching Mommy
Kids Picnic Table and Sandbox Combo | Ideas 2 Live 4
Wooden Picnic Sandbox Table

4. Backyard Sand and Water Tables for Kids

Sand and water tables are a fun option to have instead of, or in addition to, a backyard sandbox. Of course, many of these options, like this Sand and Water Wooden Picnic Table could be used with sand, water, or any other type of sensory play material placed inside.

Click on the link to see our favorite Sand and Water Tables. Most of them are DIY designs, but there are also a few options that you could buy included in the collection.

5. Easy Sandbox DIY Tutorials and Ready-Made Ideas

An easy way to make a backyard sandbox is to build a raised garden bed of any size, place a tarp underneath, fill it with sand, and place a second tarp on top to cover it.

Here are a few more easy backyard sandbox options that you can DIY or buy. Each of the sandbox ideas listed below has a cover that can be made or purchased for them.

Easy DIY Sandbox Tutorial for Backyard |Kenarry Ideas for the Home
Simple DIY Sandbox | Nomadic Thoughts from Lexi
Colorful DIY Backyard Sandbox | Made Everyday
Backyard Sandbox

6. Backyard DIY Sandbox Tutorials with a Surrounding Seat

These type of sandboxes have a seat that goes around the entire sandbox. Sandboxes like this serve the dual purpose of sitting on while playing in the sand or using as a place to sit while hanging out in the backyard.

Wooden Sandbox with Seats | Dover Projects
How to Build a Sandbox (with a surrounding seat) | Kaboom

7. Outdoor Sandbox with Cover or Canopy

There are so many fun ways people have come up with to cover a sandbox. You can use a simple tarp, or build a door, roof, cover, or a canopy on poles for a sandbox. You can even use a tent or a TeePee to cover a sandbox!

Below you will find DIY sandbox tutorials with a cover and ready-made options that you can purchase to make it even easier to put a covered sandbox in your backyard.

How to Build a Sandbox with Cover Doors | Modern Parents Messy Kids
Deluxe DIY Sandbox Tutorial | Small and Friendly
DIY Sandbox with Cover | Taryn Whitacre
How to Build a Sandbox Part I and How to Build a Sandbox Part II (Cover) | Young House Love
DIY Pottery Barn Inspired Sandbox with Cover | Hometalk
How to Build a Covered Sandbox | DIY Network
Play and Store Sandbox
Sandbox with Cover that Converts to Roof
Square sandbox with a canopy
Hexagon sandbox with a canopy

8. Covered Convertible Sandbox Ideas with Bench Seats

This type of sandbox has a lid that converts to bench seats when it is folded open. Some sandboxes with convertible seats are built with a canopy or cover in order to protect children from the harsh rays of the sun.

We found a few different cool backyard sandbox options with convertible seats to DIY or buy listed below. The sandbox plans describe how to build a sandbox with a lid and seating, or you can purchase one of the ready-made options with or without a cover.

Covered Convertible Cedar Sandbox with Two Bench Seats
DIY Sandbox with Built-in Seats | Ana White
Build Your Own Convertible Sandbox with Seats |Utah’s Adventure Family
How to Build a Sandbox with Folding Lids and Seats | Kaboom
Covered Convertible Cedar Sandbox with Bench Seats and Canopy
Kids Foldable Cabana Sandbox with Seats

Related: DIY Rainbow Peg Dolls for Kids

9. Boat Sandbox Ideas for Kids

These outdoor sandbox ideas for children are amazing! Fill an old wooden boat with sand to make a sandbox boat, or build a sandbox in the shape of a boat with these creative sandbox plans for kids!

Sail Boat or Ship Sandpit | Ana White
DIY Sandbox Boat Tutorial |Hometalk
Pirate Ship Sandbox | Family Designs Inc.
Old Boat Sandbox | Source
Wooden Boat Sandbox | Source
Pirate Ship Sandbox | Source
DIY Pirate Ship Sandbox | From My Home
Old Boat Sandpit | Two Little Pirates
Pirate Ship Sandbox

Related: How to Make a Fairy Garden

10. Creative Sandbox Ideas

Like some of the sandbox ideas with a cover and convertible seats, and the awesome boat sandbox ideas listed directly above, these creative DIY sandboxes have unique designs and features that kids are sure to love!

How to Build a Sandbox that Looks Like a Car | This Old House
Race Track Sandbox Seat with Parking | Source
Convert an old Dresser into a Sandbox | East Coast Creative
Upcycled Color Block DIY Sandbox from a Bookcase | The Homes I Have Made
Tent Sandbox | Coconut Love
Tractor Tire Sandbox | I Heart Naptime

11. Natural Sandbox and Sandpit Landscaping Ideas for Children

We LOVE natural sandboxes (or sandpits) that blend into the outdoor space that they are created in. Below you will find photos of natural backyard sandbox ideas that include DIY tutorials, and a few natural sandpit ideas that do not include tutorials.

We hope that these gorgeous natural sandbox DIY ideas spark your creativity to design your own nature-scaped sandbox!

Rock Boarder Sandbox DIY | Hometalk
Dry Riverbed Sandpit | Gardening Dreams
Wooden Sandpit Sandbox | Childhood 101
Garden Sandbox Play Area for Kids | Source
Backyard Bliss | Ana White
The Sandbox | We Play Outside
Natural Children’s Sandpit |Artful Parent

12. Portable Mini Sandboxes for Kids and Adults

Here’s a collection of mini-sandboxes that you can take with you or use on a desk or table top. These miniature portable sandboxes have small parts and are not for children under 3 years of age.

Best Sandbox Ideas for Kids of all Ages (and the Young at Heart)

A sandbox is an amazing outdoor sensory play space for kids. Tips, tutorials, and hacks for several backyard sandbox ideas including plans for a whole bunch of amazing DIY sandbox ideas for kids are listed above.

For more outside activities and other fun backyard ideas to try with the kids click on the link.

Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!

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Nell Regan M.A.

Nell has over 20 years of experience working with children and is the founder of Rhythms of Play. She believes in the power of the imagination, learning through play, making this world a greener place to live, and getting outside in all seasons! Learn more…

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