Who Doesn’t Need a Portable Sandbox with a Sealed Cover?
Have you ever traveled with young children and wished you had a travel-friendly sensory bin? Well, you’re in luck! Edgar has created a portable and lightweight traveling sandbox (with a sealed cover), and we’re excited to share the idea with you.
Edgar purchased all the materials from Home Depot for under $50 in April 2021. Unfortunately, inflation has impacted the prices of these items, but it’s worth noting that similar sandboxes on Amazon cost over $100 and aren’t as lightweight, portable, or tightly sealed. With just a few minutes of assembly, your little ones can enjoy hours of fun. I’ve included Edgar’s quick DIY YouTube video to guide you through the process.
It Doesn’t Just Stop At Sand
In the DIY video, Edgar used one common bag of play sand, but endless sensory options are available, such as pasta, playdoh, dry beans, rice, kinetic sand, etc. We tested this portable sandbox on a few road trips, filling it with kinetic sand to minimize the mess. It was perfect for occupying time during those awkward in-between periods in hotel rooms. After use, simply replace the lid and lock it to keep little critters out if storing it outside. This sandbox is also helpful during warmer months as it can be set out in a secured area to entertain the kiddos while you attend to other tasks, such as yard work.
What You’ll Need
- Rollable (optional) 108-quart storage container with lid. You can find the one Edgar used at Home Depot (or a store like it). Amazon also has a slightly more expensive alternative. The lid locking mechanism made this sandbox with a sealed cover perfect for travel and outside storage.
- Styrofoam sheets. It doesn’t HAVE to be styrofoam. Edgar chose this because it was available and inexpensive at the time. Anything lightweight that will take up space while also providing structure will work!
- Foam filler. Can be purchased at Home Depot (or a store like it). Amazon has a slightly more expensive alternative.
- Box cutter or knife
- PVC sheet 1/16in thick. Corrugated plastic also works! This simply protects the styrofoam and prevents the kiddos from digging into it.
- Sensory items. You can choose any sensory items you like for the bin. It’s best to use dry items since it’s sealed, but if you plan to take them out later, a wet sensory activity would also work.
Time To Put It All Together
Start by cutting a styrofoam sheet to fit the container. Next, spray the bottom of the container with foam filler and place the styrofoam piece on top. The foam filler helps to compensate for any imperfections in the styrofoam cut. Apply pressure and spray foam around the edges where the styrofoam meets the container for a secure fit. Keep doing this process until you are a few inches from the top.
When you’re almost at the top, use scrap pieces of cut styrofoam sheets to fill the gaps on both sides of the box caused by the handle indentations. Once these gaps are filled, add the top layer styrofoam sheet. Cut the handle indentations into this top layer for a snug fit. Edgar used two sheet halves connected by foam filler in the middle, but a full sheet also works.
Once the foam filler has dried (which usually takes a few minutes), measure your PVC sheet to the size of the container. Next, cut it to the appropriate size, place it into the storage container, and trim it to fit around the handles. There’s no need to use foam filler for this step, but make sure the PVC sheet fits snugly.
Once the PVC sheet fits securely, add your chosen sensory activity items. Once you have added the items, you are done. Time to plan your next road trip!
Edgar provides a step-by-step visual guide of the entire process below if you prefer a video.
Final Thoughts on the Portable Sandbox with a Sealed Cover
As can be seen from the video, this DIY project is simple, cost-effective, and convenient. When traveling with kids, finding safe opportunities for them to explore by touch often takes a lot of work. That’s where the convenience of the portable sandbox with a sealed cover comes in, as it offers a great alternative to excessive screen time. Our family has found it to be a lifesaver on road trips, providing a much-needed break for both us and the kids.
We hope you enjoyed this creative idea and found these instructions helpful. Please share your thoughts, questions, or experience with this portable sandbox idea in the comment section below. We would love to hear your feedback! Check out Super Simple DIY Dad for more exciting ideas!
