Definition of sandbox

The term "sandbox" as we know it today, referring to a play area for children filled with sand, has a simple origin. In the late 19th century, wealthy families would take their young children to the English coast and let them play in the sand along the shoreline. Initially, these areas were not specifically designated for children's play, and parents would free-range their kids, allowing them to dig and build as they pleased. The term "sandbox" is often attributed to Ruth Perry, an American kindergarten teacher. In the early 1900s, Perry began creating small enclosures, filled with sand, for her students to play in. She used the term "sandbox" to differentiate them from the larger play areas outside, where older children and adults might also be present. The popularity of sandboxes grew, and they soon appeared in public playgrounds, schools, and parks around the world. Today, sandboxes are a common feature of playgrounds for children to enjoy, providing them with a safe and contained space to build castles, create tunnels, and let their imaginations run wild.