Way back in December, Lonnie and I embarked on several handmade toy projects for the girls. One was a mini table-top sand box, similar to those I had seen in toy stores — I knew my girls had loved playing with the ones on display.
Once I suggested the idea, Lonnie took on the project and started hand carving some tools — one teeny tiny wooden tool at a time. He ended up with 9 different tools (different shaped shovels, brooms, hoes, etc) and three hand-carved buckets.
hand carved cherry sandbox tools
We then needed a box. We started out with one that was already made — it was actually the cover of our fuse box from the garage! After the first time they girls used it in the living room on Christmas day (see below), we realized we needed something a bit deeper to keep the sand in better, so Lonnie made a simple one out of wood that works great.
Setting up the mini-sand box
I added in some plastic mini construction vehicles that used to be mine as a kid (thanks mom!), and some gemstones and polished rocks we had already. The handmade fairies I made (tutorial still coming, I promise!) join in on the sand play fairly often, as do our little people, dollhouse dolls, plastic animals and other assorted characters. Our smaller tree blocks work well here, also!
Emma using the big broom tool to push around sand
Lonnie playing with fairies (he made the blue one, in fact!)
Close-up of lonnie’s blue fairy
Fairy climbing out of the sand
Shoveling in the sandbox
We realized early on that one kid playing with this toy works great, two is usually fine, an three is a recipe for disaster. Consider yourselves warned! After a few unsuccessful attempts at using this on the living room play table (that included too much fighting and accidental dumping of sand all over our living room rug and wood floors), we mostly set it up in the kitchen, on top of a drop-cloth paper that can catch most of the spillage. This is definitely a toy we don’t keep out all the time — it lives up high and comes down for fun, and then goes back again when I am tired of the mess!
FYI: The sand I got is decorative white washed sand for indoor plants, and is fairly course. It was the only one that didn’t have scary warnings on it about washing your hands after touching it. I know there are health warnings about many sands, and need to research where to get true, clean “play sand” — as I’ve heard many of the ones marketed as such still aren’t good. For now, we use this, and I try to remember to have them wash their hands after playing just in case!
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That is such a cool (albeit messy) idea. I’m a wee on the anal retentive side when it comes to mess so I’m not sure this is the toy for me, but I do love the idea.
We have a sand box and the sand I bought from Toys R Us was marked as “sterile”. There was nothing on the side that indicated the kids need to wash carefully after use. I didn’t realize that there would still be a concern about it.
It might be fine, Marilyn, I’m no expert! I have heard one of the issues is about the kids inhaling the dust particles that it kicks up (maybe the silica in it?), so the bacteria/sterile issue may not be the main concern — more the traces of heavy metals & dust particles.
I am not sure if this is one of those things that really is something to worry about or if its just another health/parenting worry based on fear/remote possibilities. Must research!
Very impressive! Love the sandbox!
Amazing handiwork from you and Lonnie, and beautiful photos of the girls!
I absolutely love this idea! What a beautiful set, and I love that it’s handmade! I recently bought some wood carving tools, and I may have to use them!
Those little handmade carved wooden tools are amazing! I love your fairies too. Thanks for giving me a few more ideas about what we can add to our play tray. (You are braver than me… ours never comes inside!)
Our sandbox is my son’s favorite toy. Entertains him for hours! We have moon sand in ours. And lots and lots of construction machines.
I need to try moon sand, for sure! I’ve read about DIY recipes for it, will have to do that soon. Bet it would be a bit less messy, too. Ha.
I think is the coolest thing I have seen in a long while. Those tools are fabulous! You could also hide things in the sand and do a mini archaeological dig. I might have to make one this weekend for my 3 year old – she would love it.
Love the dig idea! Our box is pretty shallow so we couldn’t hide too much, but little things, maybe! Great idea!
I think to use rice instead of sand
That is a great idea! We haven’t played with rice before and I’m sure my kids would enjoy that too. Will have to swap it out for that sometime and let them have a go. Would be easier clean up, I think!
like your set very much
could you please advive where i can but the items you use in
your mini sand box
also if yes would please advive the cost of these items
will await your reply George AZucoin
hi
this i my 2nd e-mail
can you advise where i can buy all the small toys used in the sand box
please thank you George Aucoin
Hi Goorge, sorry for the delay! I’m afraid the tools were all made by my husband (he carved them out of wood) so they are not available for purchase. Sorry! I have seen kits that sell a few things like this (here: http://www.begoodcompany.com/ ), but not as many tools, and not as cool, I know!
If you are up for it, it’s a good beginning woodcarving/whittling project though! My husband had never carved anything before this.
Thought I’d add the all the other toys (the construction vehicles, mini animals, etc were all just trinkets and “prizes” for the kids we’ve collected over time. The construction trucks are great, but are at least 30 years old — they were mine as a kid! I’ve been keeping my eye out but haven’t seen any like them yet.
you can buy non toxic sand like sandtastic and other non toxic play sands that don’t have silica- more expensive. BTW I am an art therapist and I use sand tray therapy with miniature figures. It is very deep wonderful form of expressive therapies. google sandplay or sand tray therapy.