Made For Play Blog

Explore child development through play, find inspiration for your next DIY project, and discover tips for selecting the perfect toys for your little ones.

How to Weatherproof Your KidKraft Swing Set for Canadian Winters

Young kid playing imaginative baking play with the kidkraft uptown white play kitchen with christimas decorations around the area

Why Dollhouses are the Ultimate Holiday Gift

How to Weatherproof Your KidKraft Swing Set for Canadian Winters

Winter play set prep does not need to be complicated. A good clean, a close look at the parts used every day, a little care for the wood and a safe place to store removable accessories will help your set through the colder months. It also makes spring setup much easier, when everyone is ready to get back outside. Every swing set we have is different, so keep your assembly manual nearby and follow any instructions for your model. The tips here are meant to be a helpful starting point for our wooden backyard playsets. Step 1: Inspect Your Swing Set Before Winter Pick a dry day while the yard is still clear and walk around the whole set. Check the swing beam, ladder, deck, railings, slide supports and the legs at ground level. Then crouch down and look underneath. You are looking for any loose bolts, shifted ground stakes or piles of wet leaves that may have collected in areas you do not normally look. A little fading, small cracks that run with the grain and minor rough spots are all part of how wood ages outside. However, if you find a small splinter, sand it smooth before little hands find it first. These cracks only become a problem when boards feel soft or loose, a crack is wider than ¼ in, a crack runs through joints or there is visible wood grain warping. In short, if something does not feel solid, keep children away from that area until you have fixed it or had it assessed. Look at What you are checking for Your next step Wood Splinters, loose boards, deep cracks or soft spots Sand minor roughness; address anything that feels weak or loose Hardware Loose, rusty, sticking-out or missing pieces Tighten or replace parts as directed in your assembly manual Anchors and legs Wobble, lifting, damaged stakes or washed-away soil Re-secure the set before children use it again Swings and accessories Cracks, worn attachment points or damaged connectors Store removable pieces and replace damaged ones Play area Leaves, branches, puddles or packed-down ground Clear it now, before the first snowfall hides it Step 2: Clean the Wood and Clear Moisture-Holding Debris Leaves, pine needles and wet toys hold moisture against the wood. Sweep them from the deck, the steps and underneath the slide, then clear the area around the legs. For everyday dirt, mild soap, water and a soft brush are usually all you need. Let the set dry completely before applying a water repellent or putting on a cover. Pay extra attention to shaded areas and the base of the set. If water regularly pools near the legs after rain or snowmelt, make a note to improve drainage or adjust the surrounding ground before spring. A breathable cover can keep a clean, dry set free of leaves and debris. It is important to only put it on after the wood is dry. As well, check the cover after wind or heavy snow to make sure it has not shifted, collected water or trapped wet leaves underneath. Step 3: Apply Water Repellent to Protect the Wood We recommend applying a stain or water repellent to your wooden swing set every year. It helps limit weathering by reducing the moisture the wood absorbs, and it is a simple way to keep the set looking cared for season after season. Choose a dry day and read the product label before you begin. It will tell you the right temperature range, drying time and application method. Start with clean, dry wood, then focus on the exposed areas that see the most rain and snow: deck boards, rail tops and accessible cut ends. Step 4: Check Swing Set Hardware, Anchors and Moving Parts With no one on the set, hold each upright and give it a gentle push test for movement. Look at the connections where the swing beam, ladder, braces and deck come together. Then inspect the anchors and the soil around them. Tighten any hardware that has worked loose, following the instructions for your model. Take a closer look at swing hangers, seats, chains, ropes and attachment points too. A stable, level installation sets the foundation for safe, worry-free play and taking the time to get it right now makes everything easier down the road. Step 5: Store Removable Plastic Swings and Accessories Your wooden structure stays outside, but many of the pieces your children love most can come in for the winter. Removable swing seats, gliders, trapeze bars, steering wheels and telescopes are good candidates. We recommend storing removable plastic accessories during freezing weather because plastic becomes more brittle in the cold. Do not force a part off because it seems like it should be removable. Some accessories are meant to stay attached. Your assembly manual will show which pieces you can safely remove and reinstall. When Is It Safe to Use a Swing Set in Winter? Preparing a swing set for winter does not mean it is ready for play in every kind of winter weather. Before your children use it, check the route they will climb, the platform where they will stand and the area where they will land. If snow or ice hides those surfaces, if the ladder or slide is slippery, or if the landing area has frozen hard, it is time to close the set for the day. When conditions are right, use a soft broom or plastic shovel to brush loose snow from decks, steps and handholds. Skip metal tools, which can scratch or damage the set. How to Reopen Your Swing Set Safely in Spring Before you put the last accessory away for the winter, make a quick note of what you checked and what still needs attention. When the snow melts, repeat the walk-around before putting stored accessories back on the set. Check that the anchors have not shifted during freeze-thaw weather, feel for new rough spots in the wood and make sure every swing, cap and connector goes back where it belongs. Need a KidKraft Replacement Part? Need a replacement part? We are here to help. If you find a missing or damaged outdoor swing set or playhouse component, visit the KidKraft Canada parts replacement page. Include your product information and attach clear photos or video of the part in question. Our Customer Support and Quality teams can review the concern and help identify the part you need; we may ask for proof of purchase or follow up for more details. Frequently Asked Questions Should I cover my KidKraft swing set for winter? A breathable cover keeps debris off a clean, dry set, but it does not replace an annual wood treatment or inspection. Check the cover after storms to ensure it has not shifted or pooled water. Should I remove the slide and swings for a Canadian winter? Remove only accessories your assembly manual identifies as removable. We recommend storing plastic swings, slides and accessories during freezing conditions because plastic becomes more brittle below freezing. Can children use a swing set when there is snow on the ground? Only after an adult checks the structure and play area. Do not allow use when snow or ice hides the climbing route, makes a deck or slide slippery or leaves the landing area frozen and hard. Clear loose snow gently when it is safe to do so; otherwise, wait for better conditions. Where can I get a replacement KidKraft swing set part? Use our outdoor parts replacement page. Provide the requested product details, quantity and reason for replacement, then attach clear photos or video if helpful. We may request proof of purchase or contact you to confirm the part.

Big Christmas Gifts, Bigger Worlds: A KidKraft Guide to Screen-Free Play

A gift guide for parents, grandparents and anyone shopping early for a child ages 3+. Some Christmas gifts are opened, admired and soon find their way into the toy box. Others take over the room in the best possible way. Picture a dollhouse full of new stories, a train racing across a bridge, a play kitchen ready for an elaborate pretend breakfast, an easel waiting for its first burst of colour or a backyard playset that has children counting down the days until they can climb aboard. These are the gifts that make Christmas morning feel especially big. They give children a place to invent, build, make and move, then return to with a new idea tomorrow. The Canadian Paediatric Society recognizes that free play is essential for children's development and physical, mental, and social health. Children engaged in free play build social and executive functioning skills that are critical for school readiness and lifelong achievement. Shopping early gives gift-givers time to choose the right fit, measure the space and plan the assembly. That little bit of preparation makes the reveal even better: the gift is ready for its first story, first train journey, first café order or first masterpiece as soon as the wrapping paper comes off. Why a Screen-free Play Space Holds Attention A screen-free gift is not a verdict on family screen time. It is an invitation to play with hands, voice, movement and other people in the room. The action is not delivered for the child. They make it. Harvard's Center on the Developing Child adds that playful activities let children practise attention, working memory and basic self-control. The gift is the setting; the child supplies the ideas. Find the Play World That Fits the Child Start with what you see the child do without being prompted. Do they give everyone a role? Do they line up vehicles and build a route? Do they imitate a familiar adult task, draw for long stretches or look for the next physical challenge? That pattern is more useful than a vague label such as "creative" or "active." If the child loves to… Consider Official age guidance Practical planning note Tell stories with dolls and create rooms for them Celeste Mansion Dollhouse 3+ Measure wall height as well as floor space. Build routes and stage an adventure Waterfall Mountain Train Set & Table 3+ Plan a dedicated play-table footprint. Copy everyday cooking and host imaginary guests Uptown Espresso Play Kitchen 3+ Decide whether to add play food already on hand. Draw, make and begin again Create N Play Art Easel 3+ Set it near cleanable flooring and art supplies. Swing, slide and invite friends outside Boulder Station Swing Set 3+ Plan the yard, assembly team and installation well ahead. For the Storyteller: Celeste Mansion Dollhouse The Celeste Mansion Dollhouse is for the child whose dolls already have personalities, routines and plans. This four-floor home is designed for 30 cm dolls and stands 143.51 cm tall. Its footprint is 126.7 × 31.29 cm, so it needs a permanent patch of floor and enough vertical room to feel at home rather than squeezed into a corner. One day it is a birthday party; the next, a stormy-night rescue. The average assembly time is two hours, so choose its future room and set aside time to build it before the holiday. For the Builder: Waterfall Mountain Train Set & Table Some children make a story by moving through it. The Waterfall Mountain Train Set & Table gives them a world to organise: 120 pieces, a gentle waterfall, a suspension bridge and a crane. The table measures 123.83 × 87.38 × 40.64 cm, creating a defined place for the railway instead of a track that must be packed away after each session. The first route may become a construction site, mountain crossing or rescue mission. The official page recommends ages 3+ and lists an average assembly time of two hours. For the Everyday Host: Uptown Espresso Play Kitchen The Uptown Espresso Play Kitchen takes a child-sized view of a familiar grown-up space. Its tile-look backsplash and sleek countertops echo a modern kitchen, while the 109.22 × 45.09 × 104.14 cm structure is large enough to feel like a real station for serving, tidying and welcoming guests. This choice suits a child who notices daily rituals: packing lunch, setting out cups or inviting everyone to the table. The conversation becomes the activity. The kitchen is recommended for ages 3+ and has an average assembly time of 0.5 to 2 hours. Food and accessories are not included, so pair it with play food the child already enjoys or plan to purchase separately. For the Maker: Create N Play Art Easel A child who carries drawings from room to room or asks for "one more piece of paper" needs a place where creating feels expected. The Create N Play Art Easel is an extra-large, 360° easel recommended for ages 3+. It measures 53.98 × 77.47 × 114.3 cm, so it has a visible presence without needing the floor space like a train table or play kitchen. An easel suits a child who is interested in a process: choosing a colour, changing their mind and starting again. The AAP includes drawing among the activities that support cognitive, social-emotional and multisensory skills for children ages four to six. Place it where adults are comfortable with art materials, keep paper within reach, and leave room for a work in progress. For the Explorer: Boulder Station Swing Set The Boulder Station Swing Set is the largest commitment in this guide—and the largest invitation to get outside. It is recommended for ages 3+, is listed as accommodating up to children, and includes a yellow curvy tunnel slide. For a family with the adequate yard and preparation time, that can change how the outside area is used when the weather turns. Outdoor play deserves the same thought as indoor play. The Canadian Paediatric Society distinguishes manageable risks that a child can recognise and assess from hazards adults should remove or mitigate. That principle does not replace product-specific instructions. Adults should follow the official assembly, placement, maintenance and supervision guidance for this playset. Boulder Station ships in five boxes with an average assembly time of 8–10 hours and recommends two people for the job, with yard-preparation and safety-zone resources linked on the product page. Buy early if this is the right gift. The surprise is not a rushed box; it is a playset ready for the first trip down the slide. The practical part of a "wow" gift Before choosing a large Christmas gift, measure the real space—width, depth and height. Then treat ages 3+ as the starting point, not the whole decision: you know the child's interests and routines best. Next, decide who is assembling it and when. The Celeste Mansion Dollhouse and Waterfall Mountain Train Set & Table each list a two-hour average assembly time; the Uptown Espresso Play Kitchen lists 0.5 to 2 hours; Boulder Station requires far more preparation. Finally, make the first invitation to play easy. Put dolls near the mansion, choose a train destination, stock paper by the easel, or plan an outdoor family play day after Boulder Station is ready. Give the child a place to begin The biggest gift is not automatically the right one. The right one is the play world that matches the child in front of you and fits into the home or yard around them. Choose the story, route, kitchen, art space or outdoor adventure they will enjoy. Then measure, plan the set-up and visit the product page for current specifications and assembly materials. Frequently Asked Questions What age are these KidKraft gifts recommended for? All five products in this guide are listed for ages 3+: the Celeste Mansion Dollhouse, Waterfall Mountain Train Set & Table, Uptown Espresso Play Kitchen, Create N Play Art Easel and Boulder Station Swing Set. Always consider the individual child and follow product instructions. How do I choose a large Christmas gift for a child? Choose the play theme the child returns to most—stories, building routes, pretend household play, art or active outdoor play—then measure the available space and account for the assembly commitment. For an outdoor playset, review the manufacturer's yard-preparation and safety information before purchasing. Why shop early for a large Christmas gift? Early shopping gives you time to measure, plan where the product will go and organise assembly. It is especially helpful for the Boulder Station Swing Set, which ships in five boxes and has an average assembly time of 8–10 hours with two recommended assemblers.

Why Dollhouses are the Ultimate Holiday Gift

If you're searching for a holiday gift that will truly spark joy and fuel creativity, look no further than dollhouses! Classic wooden dollhouses have been captivating kids’ imaginations for centuries. Why? Other than looking magical underneath the Christmas tree, dollhouses offer endless fun and a ton of developmental benefits. Let’s dive into why dollhouses spark such wonder and how you can find the perfect one for your little one this holiday season! The Allure of Dollhouses: Why Dollhouses Make the Ultimate Holiday Gift Kids have a natural desire to act out everyday life through pretend play, and dollhouses provide the perfect opportunity to do just that! As the dolls wake up, do chores, and “interact” with each other, kids get a chance to make sense of the daily routines and interactions they have in real life. And of course, kids don’t stop with “real life” pretend play. They love to get creative and come up with some seriously wacky scenarios and magical adventures. All that pretend play has major developmental benefits, boosting creativity, social skills, empathy, and storytelling skills. Finally, dollhouses are a slow-paced, imagination-powered toy in an age where kids are inundated with screens and stimulation. Dollhouses provide a chance to engage in meaningful, child-led play, offering a soothing escape from the hustle and bustle of the digital age. Exploring Enchanting Dollhouses: Finding the Perfect One for Your Child With so many options available, finding the perfect dollhouse for your kiddo might feel overwhelming. To narrow your choices down, consider their interests, personal style, and the worlds they dream of exploring. Whether it's a treehouse or a grand dollhouse mansion, there's a dollhouse waiting to bring their dreams to life this holiday season! Let's take a closer look at some of our most popular KidKraft dollhouses, so you can find one that sounds just right for your child! Hamptons Mansion & Pool House Dollhouse: Where nature meets imagination Discover the ultimate holiday gift for sparking boundless imagination: the KidKraft Hamptons Mansion & Pool House Dollhouse. Standing at over 4 feet tall, this luxurious wooden dollhouse offers endless play possibilities. With a garage, penthouse, dining room, kitchen, living room, spa bathroom, and top-floor bedroom suite, it's a dream home come to life. Outdoors, a pergola, grill, and built-in pool await. So Stylish Mansion Dollhouse: Simple, chic, and open The natural wood finish and open-air design of the So Stylish Mansion Dollhouse offer a pleasing aesthetic that looks just as good in your living room as it does in a playroom! Kids love that they can play on all four sides of this large dollhouse, creating tons of room for friends and siblings to play together. Holiday Magic in Miniature: Shop Dollhouses for Every Imagination! Choose from our favorites for this holiday season above, or browse our full line of KidKraft dollhouses. Whatever you choose, it’s sure to create big smiles and hours of play on Christmas day!

Latest Articles

5 DIY Learning Games for Your Toddler

Looking for fun and easy ways to keep your toddler engaged while learning at home? DIY learning games are a great way to help your little one develop important skills like problem-solving, coordination, and creativity—and all without spending a fortune. Below, find out the benefits of learning games for toddlers and get some ideas for budget-friendly DIY learning games you can create with items you likely already have around the house. How Learning Games Benefit Toddlers Learning games for toddlers offer a range of benefits that go beyond just keeping your little one entertained. At this age, their brains are developing quickly, and play is one of the most effective ways for them to learn. Games that involve sorting, stacking, matching, or problem-solving help build cognitive skills like memory, attention, and logical thinking. These activities also boost language development since toddlers learn to follow instructions, ask questions, and expand their vocabulary while they play. Motor skills can also be improved through learning games. Fine motor skills, like grasping objects or manipulating small pieces, are strengthened during hands-on activities. And games involving running, jumping, or balancing enhance gross motor skills. Learning games encourage social skills too. When toddlers play with others—whether siblings, friends, or parents—they practice sharing, communicating, and taking turns. 5 DIY Toddler Learning Games Here are a few easy, affordable DIY learning games you can put together at home to keep your toddler engaged and learning: Color Sorting Cups Grab a few plastic cups or containers and colored pom-poms or buttons. Label each cup with a different color, and have your toddler sort the items by matching the colors. This game strengthens color recognition and fine motor skills. Line Walk Create a "balance beam" indoors by creating a line with painter’s tape on the floor and have your child walk along the tape, trying to keep their balance. Write numbers or letters along the tape and have them say each one as they step on it for more learning. This game helps with both gross motor skills and letter/number recognition. Shape Match Puzzle Cut different shapes out of cardboard or paper and trace the outlines onto a larger piece of paper. Have your toddler match the shapes to the outlines. This helps with shape recognition, spatial awareness, and problem-solving. Clothespin Counting Write numbers on index cards. Have your toddler clip the corresponding number of clothespins to each card. This is a great way to practice counting while working on fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Pom-Pom Races Set up a "racetrack" on the floor with painter’s tape and use straws to blow pom-poms from start to finish. You can make it a fun competition or encourage your toddler to time themselves. This game encourages focus and helps develop breath control and motor coordination. Plus, it’s fun! These activities are simple to set up but offer big learning rewards. Your little one will likely want to play these over and over! For more fun ways to entertain your toddler while encouraging their growth and development shop toys at KidKraft.

7 Halloween Ideas for Toddlers

No need to get spooked by Halloween activities that cost an arm and a leg or take hours to prep. These Halloween ideas for toddlers are easy, cheap, and most importantly super fun for your favorite little monsters! Easy Witch’s Brew From Toddler Approved If you’ve ever made “Nature Soup” in your backyard, you know how oddly entertained toddlers are by adding random objects to buckets of water and stirring away. All you need to turn that “soup” into a spooky witch’s brew is a few inexpensive Halloween-themed objects. This version uses eyeball “ice cubes,” plastic spiders, and fake cockroaches, but anything you have on hand works! If you have any witches’ hats and cauldrons around, be sure to use them to add to the fun! Pumpkin Bath From Busy Toddler Do pumpkins need a bath? Nope. Will that stop your toddler from absolutely loving the responsibility of bathing the pumpkins? Nope. They’ll love it. Just fill up your sink with some water and suds, toss in a few small pumpkins and hand the kiddos a few scrub brushes or rags. Jack-o-Lantern Sensory Squish Bags From Fantastic Fun and Learning Sensory activities are great for toddler engagement. The only major downside is they tend to be… messy. Like sometimes really, really messy. But not these easy jack-o-latern sensory bags. All you’ll need is some yellow or orange food coloring, corn syrup or cheap hair gel, and black felt for the jack-o-lantern face. We like the approach of taping it to a window, so the light can shine through as they squish the orange “pumpkin” gel and rearrange the jack-o-lantern’s face. And the best part? All the mess is contained in the bag, so you can get a few things done while they play! Spider Stamping From Crafty Morning Is there anything better than activities that are free and ridiculously easy? As long as you have some paint and paper somewhere (and what toddler parent doesn’t?), you can make these easy spider stamps with almost no prep or extra cost. Just cut a few slits into an old toilet paper roll, dip it into the paint, and let your little ones stamp away as they create their spiders. Googly eyes add an extra layer of fun...especially if they want to add 8 eyes to each spider! Pumpkin Hammering From Montessori Dad’s Way This activity has been popping up all over Insta for good reason. It’s endlessly entertaining and helps develop strength and fine motor coordination. Poke some golf tees into a pumpkin (you can use a real one or a foam one), provide some wooden hammers, and let your toddler hammer them into the pumpkin. You can adjust it to their level depending on how deep you make the holes for them. Little ones may need you to push the tees all the way in and then pull them back out. Pour Painted Pumpkins From Homegrown Friends Kids already love pouring and painting, so just add a pumpkin, and you’ve got a Halloween toddler activity that yields surprisingly pretty results. Use white pumpkins and colors that blend well together, and you just may end up with something front-porch worthy. The Switch Witch Part activity, part brilliant way to prevent your toddler from eating 5 lbs of candy on Halloween. Just like Santa and the Easter Bunny, the Switch Witch brings kids special surprises on her favorite holiday. The only catch? She’ll want to “switch” that surprise out for a big bucket of candy! Kids are pumped about their new toy (maybe go for something they’ve had their eye on for a while), and the Switch Witch always leaves a few pieces of candy for the littles to enjoy. You can give the kiddos some control by letting them decide what candy they really want to keep and how much they’ll leave out for the Switch Witch. Turn it into an all-October activity by building up the Switch Witch, drawing your own Switch Witch pictures, or reading a Switch Witch book together.

How to Plan Summer Camp at Home: DIY Fun for Kids

If your kids won’t be going to camp this summer, create a DIY camp at home that they’ll be sure to remember! This fun adventure provides a unique opportunity to blend learning and fun without leaving the house and enables you to enjoy more quality family time together! Tailoring activities for your at-home summer camp is cost-effective and adds a personal touch that commercial camps can’t offer. Follow our suggestions below to plan out your summer camp and look forward to a delightful summer filled with growth, discovery, and family bonding. Setting the Scene: Creating Your DIY Camp Environment Transforming your home into a DIY summer camp environment starts with imaginative decor and fun themes. Garlands, handmade signs, and themed areas reflecting different activities build up excitement and will give your home more of a camp-style look and feel. A welcoming, vibrant atmosphere invites kids into a summer of adventure right in your living room or backyard. Crafting Camp Activities: Engaging Adventures for Every Interest When coming up with ideas for your at-home camp, there are a wealth of DIY summer camp activities that cater to every child’s personality and interests. From exciting hands-on science experiments that fizz and bubble to art projects that nurture their imagination to backyard scavenger hunts, and so much more, the options are endless. Keep puzzles and brain games on deck for those craving a challenge, ensuring each day is dripping with fun yet educational content. For the little athletes, obstacle courses in the backyard will burn energy and build teamwork skills. And for those budding artists, stock up on a variety of art supplies, as well as smocks (or old clothes they can get dirty) and easels. Keep in mind that selecting and adapting activities to suit various ages ensures everyone, from toddlers to tweens, enjoys an engaging, enriching experience. Planning Daily Schedules: Structuring Your Camp Days When planning your DIY summer camp at home, you’ll want to balance your days with a mix of dynamic activities and quieter moments. Schedule in snack breaks for nutrition and to keep energy levels high, as well as independent quiet time where each child can choose from a list of silent activities to do on their own (or with you, depending on their age). This list can include activities like reading, writing, drawing, doing yoga, taking a nap, or listening to music or an audiobook. Structuring each day with activities that require different levels of energy, as well as nutrition and mental breaks, ensures happiness and engagement throughout the day and fosters an environment where learning and fun coexist seamlessly. Connecting with Nature: Outdoor Adventures in Your Own Backyard Speaking of daily schedules, be sure to incorporate outdoor time into your day, weather permitting. A few simple ways to get your kids connecting with nature and enjoying the outdoors right in your backyard include: Backyard Picnics You can schedule backyard picnics weekly or even daily. Weekly picnics can be more planned out and have a menu like a traditional picnic would, while you can add in impromptu “picnics” on any given day by just taking your regular meals or snacks outside. Picnics are an easy way to get the whole family to spend more time outside. Get one or two kids’ picnic tables and your kids will love having their own special place to eat whenever you picnic in your backyard! Sandboxes Sandboxes are a classic space for kids to play, develop fine motor skills, and foster creativity and teamwork. Fill them with toys that inspire castle-building and treasure hunting. Swing Sets Having a swing set is like having a mini adventure park in your backyard. Kids can spend hours jumping, swinging, and letting their imaginations run wild. Of course, always monitor play closely and regularly inspect equipment for safety. Campfire Stories and Songs: Evening Entertainment for All End the day relaxing around a campfire in your yard. Gathering around a blaze provides the perfect cozy spot for you to roast marshmallows, take turns telling campfire stories, and sing fun campfire songs. You can also grab a favorite picture or chapter book off your bookshelf and read aloud by the light of the campfire or have kids help with flashlights. Get Planning! Now that you’ve got some suggestions for creating a memorable DIY summer camp at home filled with customized activities each family member will enjoy, put your plan together and start stocking up on the supplies you’ll need. Explore KidKraft's collection for the perfect outdoor play equipment to make your DIY camp dreams a reality

7 Sandbox Ideas

DIY Sandbox Ideas Sandboxes are a summer play staple, perfect for letting kids get creative and a little messy outdoors! Get the most out of yours this summer with these easy backyard sandbox ideas! Fossil Dig First, have the kids create their own “fossils” indoors. Use a few small, plastic animal toys to create imprints in modeling clay. Let the clay dry completely; then, bury their fossils in the sandbox. Provide your little paleontologists with some small shovels and sieves for their search. They’ll also love dusting off their finds with paint brushes! Sandbox Volcano Take the classic baking soda volcano outside for even more fun. Give the kids some water and have them construct a volcano shape in the sandbox – be sure to leave a hole on top and some space in the middle. Then, pour in the baking soda followed by colored vinegar to create a volcano explosion! Ice Fun Ice cubes in the sand box – simple yet surprisingly entertaining! Kids will love seeing how the sand sticks to the ice and watching the ice slowly melt as they play! Colorful Sand It’s easy to DIY your own colorful sand! You’ll just need some food dye, water, and gallon zipper bags. Mix a few drops of food coloring with two cups of water in the bag. Then, add sand and shake! Once the sand has absorbed the colored water, you can let it dry in the sun, or just add it back into the sandbox wet and starte playing! White play sand takes dye the easiest, but if your sand is darker, no worries! Try this epsom salt-based colored “sand” recipe from Growing a Jeweled Rose. Sand Letters Finger drawing letters in a medium like sand or shaving cream is a classic preschool activity! It’s much easier for toddlers and young preschoolers to start “writing” with their fingers since they still lack the fine motor skills to control a pencil well enough to write. By practicing writing in the sand, they can still build familiarity with the shape and significance of letters, giving them an edge when they are ready to write for real! Simply provide some print outs of letters for them to trace or copy as they play in the sandbox. Older kids can practice spelling short words! Construction Site Sandbox If your little one has some construction toys, put them to use scooping and pouring real sand! Let them find some pebbles, rocks, sticks, and other “rubble” to remove from the construction site with their toys. (P.S. Our Adventure Tracks: Dino World set comes with construction- themed dinosaurs!) Sensory Sand Box Sandboxes are already a great form of sensory play, especially when you add extra tools that let kids dig, sieve, scoop, pour, and build! Increase the fun by adding some of your go-to sensory bin fillers for the kids to search for in the sand. Just be sure to choose objects that won’t spoil or mold if they get left in the sandbox. Still looking for the perfect sandbox for your backyard? KidKraft’s wooden sandboxes are cute, sturdy, and big enough for some major digging adventures!