Parents' Guide to The Sandbox

App iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android Free Educational Games
The Sandbox Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

By Stacy Zeiger , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 10+

Kids create 2-D universes; beware in-app purchases.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 10+?

Any Positive Content?

  • The Sandbox App: Screenshot #1
  • The Sandbox App: Screenshot #2
  • The Sandbox App: Screenshot #3

Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 18+

Based on 1 parent review

 

 

See all 1 parent review
age 5+

Based on 1 kid review

 

 

See all 1 kid review

Privacy Rating Warning

  • Unclear whether personal information is sold or rented to third parties.
  • Unclear whether personal information are shared for third-party marketing.
  • Personalised advertising is displayed.
  • Unclear whether data are collected by third-parties for their own purposes.
  • Unclear whether this product uses a user's information to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.
  • Unclear whether this product creates and uses data profiles for personalised advertisements.
Learn more about our privacy ratings

What's It About?

THE SANDBOX introduces kids to a 2-D pixelated universe in which they can play the role of creator. In the free-play mode, they can experiment with the various elements and create their own worlds. In the campaign mode, they can participate in guided challenges; for example, in the first campaign they learn how to make sand and mud. As they play on, kids have the opportunity to complete unique missions that involve creating and destroying their own universes and, in some cases, introducing fun characters such as ninjas. Unfortunately, many of the more advanced tasks require additional purchases.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 1 ):
Kids say ( 1 ):

Although the game will entertain kids, and the campaigns will challenge them, the number of ads can become frustrating. Making a purchase helps remove many of the ads, but it doesn't keep kids from encountering more opportunities to buy new elements, participate in new campaigns, and add other special features. Some kids will find themselves hooked, justifying the extra purchases, but others will use the free-play mode to drop in a few elements, add a few humans, and call it a day.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about creation stories, discussing their own beliefs and exploring others.

  • Build models from unique materials, such as items you find in the recycling bin or outside.

  • Have your kid draw a picture and write up a description of his or her ideal world.

App Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by

The Sandbox Poster Image

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