Friday, April 5, 2013

How to Make an Indoor Sandbox

The kids and I were outside a lot last weekend. One afternoon, we ended up at the neighbours and the kids were all playing together. Well, except for Mr. K because he is just too young to play with the other 3 (5, 10 and 12)  The boys are awesome because they always include Mr. J, and as you can see there is quite an age gap - but they never seem to mind.

She and I were chatting, and she pulled out this little home made sandbox for Mr. K to play with while the older boys were playing together.  All it consisted of was a rubbermaid container, sand and a bunch of little trinkets (rocks, shells, army men, little cars etc)  there were some leaves and other tiny items in it also.

This sand box (or sensory bin) kept Mr. K busy for a very long time, and I knew I needed to make one.

We headed to walmart to pick up a bin and sand.  Check out our final product below!

What you need:

Plastic storage bin of desired size (something not too deep)
Sand (enough for at least a 3 inch layer, but more if you like)
Trinkets for them to play with
Plastic tablecloth to lay underneath the play area

How to put it together:

Place your bin in desired area, and then remove lid

Get your sand ready:

Pour sand into bin and add your trinkets (sensory items)

Let them have fun:

This kept Mr. K busy for an hour; then we went to pick up Mr. J from the school bus and they BOTH played with it for another hour. I managed to get the main floor tidied up a bit, and dinner made all while they were busy playing together!

I think it will be a great activity for a rainy day - if it is warm, we could move it to the garage.  I do think I will need to get another one though, as it's not QUITE big enough for them to play together, and there were some squabbles.

Some of the items I placed inside were: plastic easter eggs left from our egg hunt, little cars, an old measuring cup, a sand shovel and some other plastic pieces left around that don't belong to anything!



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10 comments:

  1. Love this !! I would definately be giving it a go!! Great idea to travel with too for outside play at Grandmas' house!

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    1. YES - it would be great for travel since it has a lid!

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  2. Great idea! I'm sharing this with my bff! She'd love it!

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  3. I've purchased an indoor sandbox before - ours was a big hit. Great idea just to make your own and much cheaper too:)

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  4. Love this! My boys would think it is fantastic - I think the lid is genius.

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  5. What fun! Brave though ;) My kids would make a HUGE mess!!!

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  6. I was thinking of making some sensory bins for DS, but worry about the mess that would get EVERYWHERE

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  7. What a fun activity! I love the idea! My grandson would love to stick his hands in this box and find little objects.

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  8. Thanks so much for linking up with our Artsy Play Wednesday linky!

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  9. WOW THE GRANDKIDS SURE WOULD HAVE FUN

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