Best Sandbox Ideas for Kids (DIY or Buy)

Below is a unique collection of epic sandbox ideas for kids of all ages, consisting of several different types. Follow the do-it-yourself sandbox plans to make a DIY sandbox, or purchase the ready-made outdoor sandbox ideas listed below!

This extensive list of sandbox ideas for kids will simplify your selection and help you find the perfect sandbox for your needs. Sandboxes or sandpits are fantastic outdoor play areas for children, making them ideal for backyards, schoolyards, or play areas at a daycare facility. The sandbox ideas below include outdoor sandboxes, as well as several portable sandboxes and sand tables that are suitable for indoor use or on smaller decks and patios. The type of sandbox you choose will depend on your children’s ages, the space you have available, personal preferences, and whether you plan to buy one or make it yourself.

Throughout the text, you’ll find links to portable sandbox ideas that are ready to fill with sand and toys, DIY sandbox plans, and pre-assembled sandbox kits you can buy. Each of these options will help you choose a sandbox that matches your needs and the space you have available. Keep scrolling to discover a fantastic array of outdoor sandbox ideas, along with tips, tutorials, and hacks suitable for backyards and patios everywhere! You might also enjoy these outdoor learning and nature activities for kids.

Purpose of Sandboxes and Sandpits for Kids:

A sandbox is a shallow container filled with sand, often found in backyards, playgrounds, or schoolyards. Sandboxes and sandpits of all shapes and sizes offer a multifaceted learning and play environment for children to dig, build, and learn. Playing in a sandbox helps children develop hand-eye coordination, increases their ability to focus, and understand basic science and engineering concepts. Children can use them to build beautiful sand castles, dig for hidden treasure, create sandy masterpieces, and create imaginative worlds.

A sandbox is also an excellent outdoor play area or space for kids to engage in cooperative, imaginative, and sensory play. They can also be used as an effective self-regulation strategy for kids because playing with sand is a fantastic sensory activity for calming an anxious or overwhelmed child. Thus, playing in a sandbox supports children’s physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and sensory development while promoting creativity, problem-solving skills, exploration, socialization, and collaboration or teamwork.

Making or Building a Sandbox:

As you can see in the photo collage above, 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. The list of creative sandbox ideas below includes everything from toddler sandbox ideas to kids’ sandbox ideas that will blow the neighbors’ minds. Scroll down to access step-by-step plans for each of the creative ways to construct a sandbox. You might also enjoy making these excellent DIY outdoor play areas for kids, including an outdoor chalkboard, mud kitchen, sunflower house, or fairy garden.

Filling a Sandbox or Sensory Play Pit:

Sand is available for purchase in bulk at many landscape centers and home improvement stores. Please ensure the sand you purchase does not include toxic chemicals or hazardous substances and is suitable for children to handle and play in. Alternatively, you can use pea gravel (small pebbles), mulch, wood chips, and other various sensory materials such as rice, beans, or corn to fill a large sandbox to make a sensory play pit.

For example, in the top left corner of the photo collage above, you can see a sand play area filled with stones and pea gravel. In the photo below, you can see my daughter playing in a large galvanized steel feed/water bin typically used for livestock, filled with whole pieces of dried corn kernels for children to play in at a local farm.

The Amount of Sand Needed for a Sandbox:

The amount of sand needed for a sandbox depends on the size and desired depth. A 50-pound bag of play sand typically yields 0.5 cubic feet. Measure the sandbox to determine the amount you need. Ensure you take into account the depth you would like to fill it. Typically, a 50lb bag of sand will cover a 4′ x 4′ sandbox at a depth of 1 inch. Thus, filling a 4′ x 4′ sandbox to a significant depth will require approximately 8-10 50lb bags of sand. A 5′ x 5′ sandbox will thus need approximately 10-15 50lb bags of sand.

Related: The Best Rock Painting Ideas for Kids

Sandbox Ideas for Kids of all Ages:

Several creative sandbox plans make building a sandbox with or without seats or a cover easy. Below, you will discover everything from simple sandbox designs to a DIY sandbox that will amaze your children and their friends! There are upcycled sand tables and sandbox boats: sandboxes made to look like cars, sandboxes built with a cover, covered sandboxes with convertible seats, sandboxes with a surrounding bench seat, 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 you are looking for, this collection of sandbox ideas for kids is categorized and listed by type. It begins with simple sandboxes for toddlers and preschoolers and ends with more complex sandbox designs. The blue links on each list of sandpits provide detailed step-by-step instructions for constructing a sandbox from scratch. The orange links on each list provide purchasing details for readymade sandboxes or kits that need to be assembled, depending on the type. (If you click to buy, Rhythms of Play will earn a small commission at no extra cost.) You might also enjoy these DIY Backyard Pallet Projects with step-by-step tutorials.

1. Best Sandbox Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers:

The toddler sandbox ideas listed below would also be perfect for families living in tiny homes, townhouses, and apartments, because they can be used in small yards and patios. Fill these sandboxes with play sand and invite your toddler to sit and play. A few other sandbox ideas for toddlers are included in the sand table ideas for kids in the following category. Most of these ideas are portable, and several can be used indoors:

Sandboxes for Toddlers and Preschoolers:

• Extra-large Portable Sand Tray with Lid:
  • The small size of this portable sandbox makes it ideal for travel, when space is limited, and it can easily be stored away.
  • It is stackable, waterproof, and durable, and the handles securely lock the lid in place.
• Creativity Kids Sensory Bins:
  • A creative sensory and sand play bin with sensory toys, perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.
  • Alternatively, fill a plastic bin or the sand tray above with play sand and a few small sand toys or diggers.
• Turtle Sandbox with Lid for Toddlers and Preschoolers:
  • This adorable turtle sandbox provides a small play area where multiple kids can play together.
  • It comes with sand model toys featuring octopuses, turtles, whales, and starfish, and four colorful sand shovels of different shapes that children can use to create sand shapes and build beautiful sandcastles.
• Construction Sand Playset Sandbox for Toddlers and Preschoolers:
  • This sensory play set includes a cover, sand, tractor, sand trucks, and other construction site toys for hours of digging, building, and imaginative play.
• Little Tikes Dirt Diggers Excavator Sandbox for Kids.
  • Construction-themed sandbox includes sand accessories for hours of fun! 
  • The Lid doubles as a truck ramp, and the excavator works to scoop, dig, and dump sand.
• Naturally Playful Sandbox:
  • This store and play sandbox includes sand tools and a cover to dig, play, and build.
• Round, or Oval, Sandbox with Cover and Seats:
  • This sandbox is designed with large semicircular seats.

Related: How to Make a Summer Nature Table 

2. 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. 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 for sand, water, pea gravel, rice, beans, corn kernels, or other sensory play materials!

• DIY Style #1 Sand Table by Prodigal Pieces.
• Small Sandbox Table with Cover by Shanty 2 Chic.
• DIY Sand (or water) Table by Boxy Colonial.
• 30-Minute DIY Sensory Table for Sand (or Water) by Teaching Mommy.
• Kids Picnic Table and Sandbox Combo by Ideas 2 Live 4.
• Naturally Playful Sand Table with Cover for Toddlers and Preschoolers.
• Wooden Picnic Sand Plus Sensory Play Table with Umbrella Cover.
• Sand Activity Sensory Play Table:
  • This sturdy wooden sensory play table has wheels and a cover and can be filled with sand, water, or other sensory play materials.
• Portable See-Through Sensory Table on Wheels:
  • This sensory play table is another excellent indoor sandbox option for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners.

Related: The Ultimate Eco-Friendly Gift Guide for Kids

3. 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 portable sensory play table or this sand and water wooden picnic table playset, can be used with sand, water, or any other type of sensory play material placed inside. Or, try this picnic table playset with an umbrella. Look through these Sand and Water Tables for several more fantastic ideas as shown in the photo collage. Most are DIY designs, but the collection also includes a few options that you can buy.

4. Cool DIY Sandbox Hacks and Tips:

Nowadays, there are life-changing hacks for everything under the sun, and backyard sandboxes are no exception. There are several things you can use as a sandbox. Check out the collection of fun outdoor sandbox hacks for your patio or backyard on the list of ideas below. These outdoor sandpits would also be great for small yards and patios.

• Tent Sandbox by Coconut Love
  • Put sand inside a tent and you have a DIY sandbox ready to play in.
  • Please use caution when creating this type of sandpit for children to play in. It can become extremely hot inside when exposed to direct sunlight, even with doors and windows open.
• Teepee Tent Sandbox:
  • Set a cotton teepee tent (without an attached bottom) over a wading pool or a small wooden sandbox that will fit underneath.
  • Then fill the collapsible pool or wooden box with play sand.
  • Like a tent sandbox, a sandpit covered with a teepee can get hot in direct sunlight, so please use caution.
• Tractor Tire Sandbox | Photograph below by I Heart Naptime.
  • The original step-by-step tutorial for this project is no longer available; however, Burke’s Backyard has a step-by-step tutorial to make a similar tractor tire sandpit on his YouTube channel.
  • Painting the tractor tire and adding pool noodles (sliced lengthwise) around the inner rim are optional.
• Wading Pool Sandbox with a tutorial to make a cover by What Shall We Do Today?

Related: Rock Balancing Stone Stacking STEAM for Kids

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 landscape fabric or a tarp underneath, fill it with sand, and place a second tarp or another type of waterproof fabric on top to cover the sandbox. A few more fun backyard sandbox ideas you can DIY or buy are listed below:

• Easy DIY Sandbox Tutorial for the Backyard by Kenarry Ideas for the Home.
• Simple DIY Sandbox by Nomadic Thoughts from Lexi.
• Colorful DIY Backyard Sandbox by Made Everyday.
• Wooden Square Backyard Sandbox Kit with Corner Seating.
• Modern Home Weather-Resistant Square Outdoor Sandbox Kit with Cover.
• Outsunny Kids Outdoor Sandbox – oval-shaped sandbox with seats and a cover.

Related: 15 Reasons to Climb a Tree and Other Benefits of Risky Play

6. Backyard DIY Sandbox Tutorials with a Surrounding Seat:

These sandboxes have a seat that goes around the entire perimeter of the sandbox. Sandboxes like this serve the dual purpose of sitting on while playing in the sand or using them as a place to sit while hanging out in the backyard. Here are a few DIY options with a seat that surrounds the entire sandbox:

• Wooden Sandbox with Seats | Dover Projects
• How to Build a Sandbox (with a surrounding seat) | Kaboom
  • This DIY sandbox tutorial is no longer available, but you can see the picture on the right in the photo collage below.

Related: Easy Rainbow Art Projects Kids LOVE!

7. Outdoor Sandbox with Cover or Canopy:

Covered sandboxes are great for protecting the sand play area from neighborhood cats, the elements, and other potential contaminants. There are several creative ways to make a covered sandbox. You can use a simple tarp, build a door, roof, cover, or fabric canopy on poles, or even use a tent or a tipi to cover a sandbox. Each idea below includes a cover that can be made or purchased. DIY sandbox tutorials that include a cover have blue links, while sandbox kits that can be purchased have orange links. Put a covered sandbox in your backyard with these epic sandbox ideas:

• 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 Finishing the Sandbox Part II (Cover) | Young House Love
• DIY Pottery Barn-Inspired Sandbox with Cover | Hometalk
• How to Build a Covered Sandbox | DIY Network
• Small Play and Store Sandbox Sensory Play Pit 
• Square sandbox with a small surrounding bench seat and adjustable canopy
• Wooden sandbox with seats and a cover that converts to a roof
• Hexagon-shaped sandbox with three bench seats and a cover

Related: How to Make Mud Pies: Sensory Play for Kids

8. Covered Convertible Sandbox Ideas with Bench Seats:

This sandbox has a lid that converts to bench seats when folded open. Some sandboxes with convertible seats are built with a canopy or cover to protect children from the sun’s harsh rays.

There are also some cool backyard sandbox options to DIY or buy with convertible seats. The sandbox plans describe how to build a sandbox with a lid and seating, or purchase a kit with or without a cover.

• Covered Convertible Cedar Sandbox with Two Bench Seats
• DIY Sandbox with Built-in Seats and Cover | Ana White
• How to Build a Convertible Sandbox with Seats | Utah’s Adventure Family

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.
  • The DIY Pirate Ship Standbox tutorial in the upper left corner of the photo collage below is no longer available online.
• Old Boat Sandbox | Source Image
• Wooden Boat Sandbox | Source Image
• DIY Pirate Ship Sandbox | From My Home
  • The wooden pirate ship sandbox tutorial in the bottom right corner of the image below is no longer available online.
• Pirate Ship Sandbox Kit for Kids

Related: How to Make a Fairy Garden

10. Creative and Unique Sandbox Ideas:

Like some sandbox ideas with a cover and convertible seats, as well as the boat sandbox ideas directly above, these creative DIY sandboxes have unique designs and features that kids will love. A few of these unique sandbox designs are also included in the sandbox hacks above:

• Tent Sandbox | Coconut Love
  • Please read the safety notes in the sandbox hacks category above.
• How to Build a Sandbox that Looks Like a Car | This Old House
• Race Track Sandbox Seat with Parking | Source Image
• Convert an Old Dresser into a Sandbox Table | East Coast Creative
• Upcycled Color Block DIY Sandbox from a Bookcase | The Homes I Have Made
• Tractor Tire Sandbox | by I Heart Naptime
  • Plans for this sandbox idea are no longer available–but the photograph in the image below says it all.
  • You can also use the DIY video tutorial to make a similar tractor tire sandpit HERE.

11. Natural Sandbox and Sandpit Landscaping Ideas for Children:

We LOVE natural sandboxes (or sandpits) that blend into the outdoor space 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. I hope these gorgeous natural sandbox DIY ideas spark your creativity to design a nature-scaped sandbox:

• Rock Border Sandbox DIY | Hometalk
• Dry Riverbed Sandpit | Gardening Dreams:
  • The original tutorial with DIY instructions is no longer available.
  • Use the step-by-step dry riverbed sandbox tutorial below to make a similar nature-scaped sand play area.
• How to Make a Dry River Bed for Your Backyard | Little Lifelong Learners
• Wooden Sandpit Sandbox | Childhood 101
• Backyard Bliss | Ana White

12. Portable Mini Tabletop or Desktop Sandboxes for Kids and Adults:

Make a mini tabletop zen garden, a mermaid fairy garden, or a simple day at the beach with these easy beach fairy garden ideas. Several of these miniature portable sandboxes have small parts and are not for children under three years of age.

Best Sandbox Ideas for Kids (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 all kinds of creative DIY sandbox ideas for kids, are listed above. You might also enjoy these nature activities for kids.

First published on June 30, 2016, these sandbox ideas for kids are regularly updated to improve the content. Learn more about the author Nell Regan Kartychok HERE, and Rhythms of Play HERE!

More DIY Backyard Play Areas for Kids:

• Top 10 Sand and Water Tables
• DIY Outdoor Chalkboard
• How to Grow a Sunflower House
• DIY Outdoor Art Table & Mud Kitchen
• How to Start a Fairy Garden