How to Create an Indoor Sandbox

Rainy or cold days used to mean that the sandbox was off-limits for children. Now you can make your own indoor sandbox that's mess-free and guaranteed to occupy little hands.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Large Plastic Storage Boxes
• Pasta
• Rice
• Plastic Spoons
• Matchbox Cars
• Sand Toys
• Toy Bulldozers
• Toy Shovels

1. Purchase a large plastic box that is no more than 8 inches deep and has a lid.
2. Fill the box 3/4 full with uncooked rice or a variety of small pasta shapes.
3. Assemble a selection of spoons, small shovels, small plastic containers, toy bulldozers and toy cars. Make sure they will all fit inside the box when the lid is on.
4. Get out your indoor sandbox on days when your children cannot play outside.
5. Place the box on a bare floor or a table so the children can easily reach inside it.
6. Expect to have to sweep up pieces that fall out of the box.
7. Remind children to keep the rice or pasta in the box.
8. Consider allowing the children to add water to some smaller containers of rice or pasta, but remember that you'll have to throw out any rice or pasta that gets wet.

Tips & Warnings

• Children age three and under should not play with this sandbox as they could place the objects in their mouths.
• Do not allow children of any age to place any of the rice or pasta in their mouths. It could cause choking.