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New England’s largest indoor sandbox will open in Massachusetts this spring
Sandmagination, opening May 3, will feature three separate sand areas ranging from 200-700 square feet.
A sand-filled play land is opening this spring on the North Shore.
Sandmagination in Peabody, billed as New England’s largest indoor sandbox for kids, opens on May 3 inside the Northshore Mall.
The play center will include interactive exhibits, STEAM and STEM activities, and play stations “combining creativity, sensory exploration, and hands-on learning in a safe and clean setting,” the team wrote on Facebook.
The fully accessible center is geared toward children of all abilities that are age 10 and under. It comprises three sand play areas: the Main Sandbox, Small Sandbox, and Event Room Sandbox.
The Main Sandbox features rotating STEAM-focused exhibits, including magnetic maze pipes for pouring sand, a light table for sand drawing, balance and gravity buckets, and projection areas with a topographical augmented reality map. This is the largest sandbox, at about 700 square feet.
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The Small Sandbox features a second light table, dinosaur bone excavation, and additional balance and gravity stations and is about 300 square feet. The Event Room Sandbox is in a quieter, soundproof area used for birthday parties and private events and can also be reserved for children with sensory sensitivities. It is about 200 square feet.
All three sandboxes, which are filled with non-toxic, allergen-free sand, will be filled with toys for digging, sifting, exploring, and imaginative free play.
Co-founders Jason Stadtlander and Katerina Krumova drew inspiration from their kids when designing the center.
“We wanted to create a space where children could have fun, learn, and explore at their own pace,” said Stadtlander, in a statement.
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“I’ve always had a passion for science,” said Krumova, in a statement. “To me, it’s crucial that kids get introduced to science early — and in a way that’s exciting and fun. By turning science into play, I hope to spark the same love for discovery in the next generation that I felt as a kid.”
Krumova spent more than 12 years in the Boston biotech industry where she mentored junior scientists, and she has also taught at the high school and college level. Stadtlander worked in cybersecurity and IT infrastructure for more than 20 years, where he focused on safety, operational security, and educating parents on protecting children online.
Sandmagination workers will follow a “rigorous daily cleaning routine,” according to the team, and security measures will include closed-circuit cameras, a tightly controlled entrance, commercial air purifiers, and a first-aid station and eye wash station. Shoes and socks will not be allowed in the sand.
The center will offer memberships, open play, birthday party packages, and special events. The center is located on the upper level of Northshore Mall near Macy’s. Children must be supervised by adults at all times and cannot be dropped off.
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Families can get three types of play passes: The Little Starfish pass for ages 6 months and under is free; a Tiny Toes pass for ages 6 months to 2 years old is $16; and the Sandy Explorer pass for ages 2 to 10 is $21. Each pass includes admission for two adults and additional adults cost $5 each.
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