My girls love the sandbox. However, there are times when even they get bored with it. They can only play with the same toys and make the same sand molds for so long. Since I enjoy this time with them and I like to make my home a place they desire to be, I have come up with some cool ideas to keep the sandbox interesting.
Simple Sandbox Fun
Sandbox Math
Gather measuring cups and have the kids explore how many tablespoon scoops it takes to fill a cup, etc.
Make sand molds using different size buckets and teach big, bigger, biggest, or small, medium, and large.
Using small molds of different shapes have your child make a pattern.
Sandbox Spelling
If you can find letter molds (we used Play Doh letter molds) then make words using the molds. Start out simple using your child’s name.
Using a finger or another tool, write letters and words in the sand.
Sandbox Science
Time for sand and water play. Show your child how sand reacts to a mold without adding water. Then add water and see the difference.
Hide dinosaur toys under the sand and allow your children to excavate them.
Sandbox Pretend Play
Grab the Hot Wheels, Polly Pockets, Dollhouse items, and other small toys and allow your little ones to become city planners.
Make your sandbox a construction site with little dumptrucks and such.
Provide dinosaur toys, ocean animal toys, or other items that will reinvent the sandbox into a new world or habitat.
Sandbox Art
Take some dry sand and place it on paper. Use a straw to blow the sand around. Then add drops of watercolors to the picture and blow through the straw again to use sand as a medium for paint design.
Sandbox Architects
Don’t forget the classic sand castle building. You can use sand to make castles, walls, motes, and more. Watch your child’s imagination come to life as she designs her own sand structures.