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DIY Sand Box

June 27, 2011 by Anna Ranson

Today I made the girls a seriously easy and frugal sand box/ pit from an under-bed storage box from Ikea! I’ve been meaning to get them a large wooden one, but until then this will do just fine. This required absolutely no skill whatsoever- perfect!
I picked up the large, under-bed storage box from Ikea last week, thinking I would use it as a DIY Lightbox, which I may still do eventually. It only cost around £6.

 This morning I picked up large bags of play sand from the supermarket for £2.50 each, making the total cost only £11. That’s a budget sand box!

 It’s just big enough for the girls to get in at the same time, though they are so active that there is usually one in and one out anyway! They added their sand and water toys and started on the sand castles straight away.

Cakie spent some time filling her muffin tin from her play garden and made me some delicious sand cakes.

 She topped them off with grass and leaf sprinkles and some stick candles. Lovely natural imaginative play!

 And we popped the shells and gold coins from the pirate small world play into the sand for some treasure hunting and seaside imagining!

 I found this little set-up in the tray after they had left it, an example of land art perhaps?!

And when all the play is over with, the sand box has its own lid ready to keep out the pesky foxes and neighbouring cats.

Have you made your own sand box? I would love to see budget ideas or how-tos! Feel free to add a link to something you have made so we can see it.

Cakie: 33 months
Pop: 15 months

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Filed Under: DIY, Messy Play, Outdoor, Sand, Sensory, Toys, Toys & Games Tagged With: Outdoor Activities, Sensory Play

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Comments

  1. Helen Miller says

    June 27, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    We did this too a little while back. At first I used an old fruit box and lined it with plastic but then we found some lidded boxes for £4 at Asda and have used one of those instead. It works really well and, as you say, so much cheaper than a ‘proper’ sandpit! http://mrsm-adventuresplay.blogspot.com/2011/06/sunny-morning-of-outdoor-play.html

  2. Abbey Boull't says

    June 27, 2011 at 4:27 pm

    Thank you! We have been looking at sandboxes, but the hubby is dragging his feet about spending $50. This will be perfect! Also I’ve seen cute little kneeling pads to keep their little knees off the cement which is where ours will be too. I think they were at Target over here

  3. Kelli Swanner says

    June 27, 2011 at 7:05 pm

    We did this too! Ours wasn’t really big enough for both our kids to play in, (same age as yours) so we bought a cheap sand box which is horrible! I am seriously thinking of trashing the store bought sand box and going back to our plastic box. I also wanted to tell you that your blog is my absolute favorite!! I am always looking for things to do with my kids and you have the best ideas!

  4. Anonymous says

    June 27, 2011 at 9:12 pm

    Fab…I will be making this tomorrow for my two. Your lightbox sounds interesting…can’t wait to see that.

  5. Kristina says

    June 27, 2011 at 11:10 pm

    We use two from Ikea, one for a water table, and one for a sand table. We put them up on small tables to put them at waist level. Works great.

    http://mommyingmonkeys.blogspot.com/2011/06/outside-weather.html

  6. Carol says

    June 28, 2011 at 2:07 am

    This is brilliant! Great outdoor play. I pretty sure I could find something that’s as big. Thanks!

  7. maytey says

    June 28, 2011 at 4:11 am

    I’ve been using my box for indoor rice play. Same concept but not as messy, good for rainy days!

  8. Miss Lisa says

    June 28, 2011 at 4:43 am

    LOVE this idea! Thanks for sharing :]

  9. Joyce says

    June 28, 2011 at 5:55 am

    I stumbled across your blog and I’m so glad I did. Thank you for all the wonderful ideas! I love the sand cakes decorations, and I can’t wait to see your light box.

  10. Lori @ Beneath the Rowan Tree says

    June 28, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    So glad to find you! This is a wonderful idea (among so man others!)
    I would love if you would share it at our Weekly Playdate~ a kid and family themed link party… http://beneaththerowantree.blogspot.com/2011/06/playdate-link-party-blog-hop-14-all.html

    Cheers!
    Lori
    Come & Play :: Playdate
    http://www.beneaththerowantree.com

  11. Michelle says

    June 28, 2011 at 8:06 pm

    This is a fun idea. I love how your precious daughters used the muffin tin, leaves, sticks, and sand. What imagination! Thanks for sharing.

  12. Anna @ The Imagination Tree says

    June 28, 2011 at 10:36 pm

    Thanks Lori- I shall pop on over!

  13. Ellie says

    June 29, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    Hello, love the sandbox idea, we started off with a potting tray on a table for the sand play, but really wanted a bigger wooden one they could actually sit in, couldn’t find one to buy so got husband to make one, it’s based on the one at our local children’s centre, here’s the link for it http://createwithyourhands.blogspot.com/2011/06/homemade-sandpit.html
    (finally got around to setting up a blog to be able to share things, you’ve inspired me – thanks Anna).

  14. Anna @ The Imagination Tree says

    June 29, 2011 at 11:07 pm

    That’s so fab Ellie! I am thrilled to have inspired me. By the way anyone else reading this, you really should check out her sand box- it’s amazing!

  15. Heather Mackenzie says

    November 17, 2012 at 9:34 am

    I was just thinking about how much my girls like sand pits and maybe I should get one, then I stumble across this… already have a big plastic tub… just need some sand! Awesome!

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About The Imagination Tree Hello and welcome! I'm Anna, Mama of 4, early years teacher and play enthusiast from the UK! Click here to read more about me.

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