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There is just no way the sand is going to stay in that box. One shovel full any distraction, and whoosh! Sand everywhere!

hmm. that was supposed to be a plus sign in there - one shovel full PLUS any distraction....

Uh yeah, if I wanted sand all over the house. Not a chance! This is an adult's fantasized version of a child's plaything. Unless your kid is 10, I agree, no way the sand is staying in!

My mom bought this and the castle one for my then two year old and seven year old. I think it entertains her to see my house a mess. The kids love it. They aren't so messy, but with the little one I do have to play along side her to make sure the sand doen't get all over. On the plus side: it kept her attention longer than most toys. If you regularly clean up after your kids, this is a great toy. Lots of fun, creative play.

You could probably get away with it if you kept it locked away unless they were in the kitchen or somewhere with a big flat floor that would make it easy to sweep it all back in.

If you think about it a lot of the best kid toys can get everywhere if you're not watching. Paint goes on anything, walls get covered with markers, playdoh gets ground in the carpet...

At least the sand shares the same properties as crayola markers and such, in that it doesn't stain and is fairly easy to clean up afterwards. And you can always refill it if too much sand gets lost in the cleanup...

Listen, save the money and make a RICE box instead. Use a plastic storage box (something shallow) and buy a big bag of rice or beans and fill. Use your kids current toys to play in it. Put a big blanket down underneath, and when you are finished, shake the rice outside or back into the box. This is a GREAT toy, slides under the couch when not in use, and does not make the big mess that sand does!

Erin

I love the rice idea! Especially good for where I live (Omaha in winter gets loooong). And we use only Crayola color wonder markers in the house- crayons are for outside! That way my 2.5 year old son can color all he wants and I don't have to worry at all- I LOVE color wonder!