Add an exciting range of loose parts to the sand box to increase the creative play possibilities and stimulate some open-ended, child directed learning at the same time!
One of the most neglected areas of play space can be the humble sand box with a simple bucket and spade and sand moulds often being the only toys included. But with a few added extra play ingredients it can become the most wonderful setting for imaginative play, building, landscaping, counting, pattern making and story telling!
Here’s a checklist of a few new added extras that we introduced to expand the play possibilities this summer:
large range of buckets, tubs in different sizes:
for filling, emptying, moulding, building, construction, transporting etc
large and small spades and rakes:
for digging, patting, moulding, levelling, scoring, tunnelling, channelling etc
duplo lego blocks:
for building and constructing, pattern making, printing in damp sand, town building, counting, sorting etc
pine cones:
for representing people, fairies and trees in imaginative play, counting, sorting, pattern making, land art etc
Jet says
Can I come to play?? Always love your ideas! Your childre are very lucky to have you! Where is your sand pit from? We have a table and it’s just not big enough, the pits I’ve been looking at look a bit flimsy. Love reading your blog x
The Monko says
we have white gravel and blue flat marbles that Goblin likes to add to his sandpit.
entertainingmonsters says
Thanks for this post, it’s perfect timing for me. My husband has just completed making a sandpit for my little monsters. They spent over 3 hours playing in it yesterday.
Play Create Explore says
We’ve been playing with sand a lot this summer as well! I LOVE all these additions to the sandbox!
Board Games for Children says
Wow, it is good idea. Thank you! I will play it with my son.
Turkey Mom says
I love your entire set up.
We have so much fun with our sandbox- almost every day. The kids seem to love it simple or elaborate with many accessories. We love to add anything and everything to our sandbox too- even flash cards.
Would love for you to drop by!
TheBoyandMe says
Oh you’ll approve of my toybox for the sand table! It contains: plastic farm animals, shells, small vehicles, and pine cones and conkers!
rebekah @ justfordaisy says
This is fabulous! I’ve pinned it and cannot wait to get our sandpit finished!
Hannah Poulson says
Where did you get your sandpit from? I would love to get one like this but the ones on amazon have all got poor reviews, so wondering where you got yours! Thanks in advance, Hannah x
Hannah Poulson says
Where did you get your sandpit from? I would love to get one like this but the ones on amazon have all got poor reviews, so wondering where you got yours! Thanks in advance, Hannah x