The 15 Best Sand Toys for Kids for Hours of Creative Outdoor Play

Best Overall

B. Toys by Battat Wavy Wagon Beach Play Set

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The B.Toys Wavy wagon tops our list because it comes with a wide variety of toys recommended by an occupational therapist because they offer different opportunities for skill building and development. The wagon, which is also a carrying vessel for all the toys, allows kids to practice pushing and pulling over the sand, which “provides heavy work and resistance to muscles and joints,” says Mulligan. The rake, shovel, and bucket are good for small hands and offer ways for younger kids to get used to the feeling of sand while developing fine motor skills, and the molds and sifters offer a more hands-on sensory experience.

The whole kit can be used in a sandbox or at the beach. The wagon may be a little large for smaller sand tables, but the rest of the toys could still be used in a smaller space. The B.Toys Wavy Wagon is ideal for toddlers and early preschool-aged kids, but may be a little small for older kids.

The wagon and toys are made from phthalate-free plastic and are easy to clean with water. The wagon handle folds into the wagon for convenient storage.

Price at time of publication: $17

^{Key Specs:
Recommended Age:Toddlers, 18 months+ |Material:Phthalate-free plastic |What’s Included:Wagon, bucket, sifter, shovel, rake, boat, fish mold, shark lid, and nesting cups}

Best Budget

Hape Beach Basics Sand Toy Set

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The Hape Beach Basics Sand Toy Set is a great budget-friendly option that will keep young builders entertained with a bucket, a shovel, a rake, and a sifter. Each item is made from durable plastic that is free from BPA, PVC, and phthalates, and parents say these toys hold up better than many other plastic toys on the market.

The toys are the perfect size for little hands, especially toddlers and preschool-age kids. And they can be easily transported from a sandbox or table to the beach. With only four pieces, the set is quite basic, so it’s a good option for beginners or as a set you can take to the beach or park.

Price at time of publication: $12

^{Key Specs:
Recommended Age:12 months+ |Material:BPA, PVC- and phthalate-free plastic |What’s Included:Bucket, rake, shovel, and sifter}

Best for Toddlers

Melissa & Doug Seaside Sidekicks Sand Baking Set

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Toddlers love to scoop, stir, and dump ingredients in the kitchen, and this is a great set to practice all of those skills without the mess. This baking sand toy set encourages social play as kids can “cook” together and engage in pretend play.

When it gets too hot outside, this Melissa & Doug set is also a great bathtime toy to measure and stir water—don’t worry, it’s not hard to clean, so you won’t be bringing sand into the bathtub. It’s ideal for toddlers, but can also be enjoyed by older siblings and friends.

Price at time of publication: $25

^{Key Specs:
Recommended Age:18 months+ |Material:Not specified |What’s Included:Bucket, rake, shovel, and sifter}

The Best Sand Digger

Reeves International The Big Dig Sandbox Digger Excavator Crane

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Turn the beach or sandbox into a construction site with the Big Dig Special Edition Sandbox Digger. Kids get to pretend they are on a construction site with a real-life excavator. Using the handles, they move the digger up and down to dig and move sand.

这个挖掘机打开大门,小时的假装and role play with friends, as well as the opportunity to build strength, precision, and body awareness. It’s made of durable metal, and can hold up to 110 pounds, making it great for both younger and older kids.

At 9 pounds, it is heavy to transport, and it does require a large space for storage. It is a bit of an investment compared to other sand toys, but since it’s good for a wide variety of ages, it will likely get years of use.

Price at time of publication: $40

^{Key Specs:
Recommended Age:3-8 years |Material:Metal |What’s Included:Digger with handles and seat}

Best Sand Truck

Green Toys Dump Truck

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绿色的玩具自动倾卸卡车允许孩子推,挖, and dump, helping them develop balance, strength, and build motor-planning skills—all essential developmental skills according to Mulligan. The simple and uncomplicated nature of this truck allows kids to use their imagination, especially young toddlers.

It’s made from recycled plastic that’s free of PVC, phthalates, and BPA. It can go in the dishwasher or you can clean it by rinsing it with water in the sink. Because it’s small, you don’t need a lot of space to store it and your child can probably help transport it from one sand play area to another. Plus, it comes in a variety of bright, kid-friendly colors.

Price at time of publication: $29

^{Key Specs:
Recommended Age:12 months+ |Material: Recycled plastic |What’s Included: Dump truck}

Best Heavy Duty

LL Bean Castle Snow/Sand Mold Kit

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If durability is your top priority, or you really want to build epic sand castles, the L.L.Bean Castle Snow/Sand Mold Kit is for you. L.L.Bean is known for its high-quality items that last forever, and this set is precisely that.

The three castle molds included in the set are made with lightweight polyethylene, which is a plastic material that is durable, yet light enough to carry to the beach. The molds are strong enough to withstand the elements, including snow and saltwater. This kit is ideal for older kids or kids at heart who want to build bigger castles.

With few crevices and parts, these molds are easy to clean. They also come with a convenient carrying case, which helps with storage and transportation.

Price at time of publication: $45

^{Key Specs:
Recommended Age:Preschool and up |Material:Polyethylene |What’s Included:3 castle molds and carrying case}

Best Sand Play Set

B. Toys Beach Play Set

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This 10-piece beach play set from B.Toys is a great comprehensive set of sand toys that includes a rake, a shovel, a bucket, a truck, sifters, molds, and a pinwheel. These toys will promote fine motor development, hand-eye coordination, and imaginative skill play.

The set is designed so that all of the pieces store within the bucket and the sifter works as a lid, though it’s not big enough to add other items you may be transporting. This set is ideal for toddlers and younger children.

Price at time of publication: $13

^{Key Specs:
Recommended Age:18 months+ |Material: BPA- and phthalate-free plastic |What’s Included:large dump truck, bucket, sifter, rake, shovel, mini dump truck, pinwheel, and 3 sand molds.}

Best for the Beach

Create A Castle Sand or Snow Castle Split Mold Set

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Calling all sand castle building enthusiasts. This Create a Castle Sand Castle Kit takes castle building to the next level. With two molds, window cutters, and a scraper tool, this kit helps your kids build intricate and large sand castles at the beach, which will keep them busy for hours.

Create a Castle Sand Castle Kit can be used year-round, and holds up to the snow in the winter months. It also comes with a convenient backpack for transporting to and from the beach.

It’s ideal for independent play for older kids (6 years and older), though kids as young as 3 may be able to participate in the family fun with parental supervision.

Price at time of publication: $50

^{Key Specs:
Recommended Age:3+ |Material:Not specified |What’s Included:10-inch and 6-inch mold, window cutter, multipurpose tool, brick form, and carrying backpack}

Best for Pretend Play

Melissa & Doug Cookie Baking Set

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Little chefs will enjoy “baking” sand treats with this Melissa & Doug Cookie Baking Set. It not onlyfosters pretend play—an important way kids learn and practice life skills—but will also keep them entertained for a good stretch of time. As they “bake,” they are also practicing fine motor skills and learning patience while they carefully try to move the cookies from the baking sheet to a plate with the spatula.

This is a great set to bring younger and older kids together and encourage sharing and cooperation among family and friends. It’s small enough for a sand table or sandbox, but can also be transported to and from the beach in the mesh carrying case.

Price at time of publication: $23

^{Key Specs:
Recommended Age:36 months to 6 years |Material: Not specified |What’s Included: baking sheet, rolling pin, 3 cookie cutters, spatula, sprinkles shaker, 2 plates}

Best for Fine Motor Development

Top Race Ice Cream Sand Toys

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The Top Race Ice Cream Sand Toys is optimal for building fine motor skills as kids scoop, fill, and serve the ice cream. It also encourages pretend play and hand-eye coordination development. The 10-piece set can be used by kids as young as 18 months, but older kids (up to age 9) will still enjoy playing with the kit. Just be mindful that younger kids might try to actually eat the “ice cream,” so keep a close eye on them while they play.

It comes with a bucket that acts as a carrying case you can take to the beach, which can also be used for filling water to wet the sand and help the ice cream hold its shape. The brightly colored parts are easy to find in the sand when you’re cleaning up for the day.

Price at time of publication: $20

^{Key Specs:
Recommended Age:36 months to 6 years |Material:Not specified |What’s Included:baking sheet, rolling pin, 3 cookie cutters, spatula, sprinkles shaker, 2 plates}

Best Sand Castle Kit

Top Race Sand Castle Molds

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We love the Top Race Sand Castle Molds because they are lightweight, brightly colored, good for all ages, and can be used at the beach or in a sandbox. They also double as buckets to carry other toys to and from the beach. The kit comes with four molds with handles, all of which are made from BPA-free plastic.

According to Mulligan, building sand castles is a great way for kids to practice “grading their force”—learning how much pressure to put on the castle as they flip it over. This also helps with patience and regulating their emotions when a castle falls or doesn’t come out the way they had planned.

Price at time of publication: $20

^{Key Specs:
Recommended Age:18 months to 9 years |Material:BPA-free plastic |What’s Included:4 sand castle molds with handles}

Best Silicone Sand Toys

WILLOW + SIM Silicone Beach Toys for Kids - Baby Sandbox Toys

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If you prefer silicone toys, which might be better for little ones who like to put things in their mouth, the Willow + Sim Beach Toys are a great option. The set comes with a bucket, a shovel, and three molds to keep kiddos entertained and practicing new skills in the sand.

They’re made from recyclable materials that don’t contain any harmful chemicals, have soft edges, and are easy for little hands to hold. Silicone toys may be more durable than plastic toys as well, as they are less likely to crack or chip. However, silicone is more expensive than plastic, which is why this set has a higher price tag than others with similar items on this list.

If you’re taking these to the beach, you may also want to keep a closer eye on them, as the neutral colors can blend in with the sand. Keep in mind that sand also sticks to silicone more than to plastic, but these can be rinsed with water to remove it.

Price at time of publication: $35

^{Key Specs:
Recommended Age:12 months+ |Material:Lead-, phthalate-, and BPA-free silicone |What’s Included:Bucket, shovel, and 3 molds}

Best Eco-Friendly

LoveLotte Eco Beach Toy Set

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The LoveLotte Eco Beach Toy Set is a favorite for its quality, durable design, and earth-friendly materials. It’s made with completely biodegradable bamboo fiber and USA-grown cornstarch, so if it gets lost at the beach and ends up in the ocean, it will break down within 12 months, leaving nothing harmful behind.

The simple set, which includes a bucket big enough to carry other items, a shovel, a rake, and a spatula/scraper, will encourage creative play at the beach or in the sandbox. They can be paired with found objects such as rocks, shells, and sticks—which Mulligan recommends as a great way to encourage creativity—for hours of fun. In addition, the handles on each of the pieces are ergonomically designed for little hands.

While it’s a bit more of an investment compared to other plastic toys, the pieces are extremely durable and will hold up for years of sand play. LoveLotte is a family-owned business and donates profits toPlastic Oceans,a non-profit that works to end plastic pollution.

Price at time of publication: $45

^{Key Specs:
Recommended Age:12 months+ |Material:Biodegradable bamboo fiber and cornstarch |What’s Included:Bucket, shovel, rake, and scraper}

Best Sand Shovel

Matty’s Toy Stop Long Handle Sand Scoop

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A good, sturdy shovel is essential for sand play, especially at the beach where kids might be digging into hard, packed sand. Matty’s Toy Stop Long Handle Sand Scoop is a durable shovel that scoops a large volume of sand. The longer handle allows the shovels to grow with your child, though they are a little long and cumbersome for toddlers. Importantly, the shovels are brightly colored, making them easy to find in the sand (and harder to leave behind at the beach).

Price at time of publication: $16

^{Key Specs:
Recommended Age:3+ |Material:Plastic |What’s Included:3 shovels}