When babies can play with sand and go in a sandbox (2024)

When they'll be ready for a sandbox depends on your child and their development. Most kids like playing in a sandbox by around 12 to 18 months old.

Some babies enjoy playing in sand even before their first birthday. Others dislike the feeling of sand and never take to a sandbox.

When you first put your baby in the sandbox, stay close. They're likely to try and eat some sand the first time they encounter it.

Babies and toddlers explore their world by mouthing things, and young children don't understand what they can and can't eat. Babies put things in their mouths to see how they taste.

To discourage this, tell your child not to put sand in their mouth. Most babies quickly discover that sand doesn't taste good and stop eating it. But if you're concerned, wait until your baby is out of the intense mouthing stage before letting them play in a sandbox.

Is it safe for babies to play in sand?

Usually, yes, but there are some things to watch out for when your baby's playing with sand:

Corneal abrasions

Your baby could get sand in their eye. If you notice redness or tearing, or if you see your baby touching the affected eye, it's important to keep them from rubbing it because the sand can scratch their cornea.

To remove the sand particles, rinse your baby's eye by tilting their head over the sink with the affected eye down. Gently hold their eye open while you flush it with a stream of saline solution or lukewarm water from the faucet. If your baby's eye continues to bother them, take them to the doctor.

Unsafe or unclean sandboxes

If you own an outdoor sandbox, keep it safe for your child by following these tips:

• Choose a sandbox frame made with nontoxic timber or non-wood material
• Avoid sand made from limestone, marble, or crystalline silica (quartz). These materials may damage the lungs when inhaled over a long period of time
• Choose beach or natural river sand
• Keep the sandbox covered when not in use to keep insects and animals out
• Let wet sand dry thoroughly before covering it (to avoid bacterial growth)
• Rake sand regularly to remove debris or clumps
• Don't let pets play in the sandbox with your child (they may use it as a bathroom)

Benefits of playing with sand

Sand play is recommended for children to engage their senses and develop their inquisitive minds. Sandboxes have developmental benefits!

Along with improving motor skills, sand play is a great way for your child to:

• explore different textures
• experiment with the concepts of full and empty
• engage their imagination
• sharpen hand-eye coordination
• practice playing and sharing with others

Alternatives to the sandbox

You may prefer for your baby not to play in sand, as they'll probably taste-test it or even get it in their eyes. There are other ways to give your child the experience and benefits of sand play.

Homemade sand

You can make your own play sand from kitchen ingredients. Recipes vary, but some common ones are:

• using whole-wheat flour, mix eight parts flour to 1 part vegetable oil
• mix 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup cornmeal with 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of corn syrup

Let your child practice scooping and pouring with small cups and spoons. You could also bury a few toys and let your child dig for them. Just supervise your little one so they don't eat the sand.

Kinetic sand

Kinetic sand is another alternative to sand for kids age 3 and up. It's regular sand that's mixed with silicone oil or another type of binder. It feels like sand but has a clay-like texture and sticks to itself, making it less messy. Kinetic sand can be formed into different shapes, which young children may find fascinating.

Though it's non-toxic, you'll want to wait to give kinetic sand to your child until you're sure they won't eat it. Kinetic sand poses a choking hazard and could cause constipation if eaten in large quantities, or even gastrointestinal obstruction. If your child eats a small amount of kinetic sand, though, it should pass in a bowel movement without causing harm.