Turtle sandboxes are not only for sand! Check out these simple ways to repurpose a common toy!
Several years ago I found a turtle sandbox at Goodwill for five dollars. Since then we’ve used it in a number of ways. Not a bad investment!
When I first brought it home, we only had a one-year-old and using it as a sandbox was great. It was just the right size to fit on my husband’s parents’ back porch, where we were living at the time.
We kept using the turtle as a sandbox until we moved into our new home and were able to build a more permanent, LARGE sandbox in the backyard.
Once the turtle was no longer needed as a sandbox, we were able to get more creative with ways to repurpose it.
5 Ways to Use A Turtle Sandbox
1. Kiddie pool
For a young toddler or two, a turtle sandbox is a great size for a little pool to splash and keep cool in. It’s quick to fill and water toys can be kept in it after it drained and waiting to be used again.
Please excuse the overgrown yard!
2. Baby Pool
Once my boys outgrew the turtle sandbox pool, we found a larger pool for the yard to beat the summer heat. But the turtle sandbox turned out to be the perfect place for my baby to sit and splash in!
With just an inch or so of water, a turtle sandbox can keep a baby cool and provide enough water for playing.
All the heart eyes for those leg rolls!!!
3. Rock or Dirt Play Area
We haven’t done this one (yet!), but young kids love having a space to dig or play with rocks. Fill the turtle with a couple bags of rocks or soil, and just add shovels, pails, and toy tractors.
For anyone with a yard that does not have a good space for a random pile of dirt or rocks, using a turtle sandbox would be a great option to give kids another material to explore in– while still keeping the area neat when the lid is returned.
4. Outdoor Toy Storage
Anything that provides a home for toys that can be covered up when play time is over is winning. Use a turtle sandbox for keeping outdoor toys all in one place.
Easy for little hands to be responsible for putting away their things and still cute and tidy looking!
5. Filling/Washing Station in a Mud Kitchen
Our turtle sandbox is currently being used in our backyard mud kitchen. The mud kitchen was made with almost all repurposed items and the turtle fit right in.
When the kids are in the mud kitchen, we fill up the turtle with water. It’s a great spot for filling water guns, rinsing toys and dishes, and scooping up water to pour in the dirt garden or use in their “cooking” creations!
Next time you see a turtle sandbox for cheap, or if you already have one on hand, think outside the box and put it to use in a new way! Repurposing can be frugal and fun!
Bri says
I love the idea for a baby pool! The sand in our turtle sandbox has slowly disappeared (all around the outside of turtle) So maybe I’ll try this before I buy more sand! Thanks for the idea!