Caution! Dozer is dump truck loads of fun!
Located in the Ranch Mart North shopping center, this new indoor sandbox play place is open for construction and community! Before I stepped out of the heat wave into the air conditioning, I noticed a group of moms chatting with their feet in the sand while kids dug nearby, all visible through the window.
My son was ready for open play during the morning rush.
As kids and parents transitioned out of the sandbox, I was surprised by how little sand trailed them. The space was particularly clean, with staff actively attending to any sand on the benches around the sandbox and the floor.
Even though Dozer was busy, there were plenty of space and toys to be shared. My toddler latched onto a shovel from the moment I set him down. Plenty of bright yellow Caterpillar bulldozers and excavators were available with other toys for sensory play, such as a sieve, funnel, container and foam building blocks. The owner, Justin Finn, shared that no die-cast toys are in the sandbox to avoid pinching little fingers.
The intentionality didn’t stop there. Finn explained the thought that went into the choice of sand and the hygiene of Dozer. The sand is sourced from the ocean, and the grains are refined to make it friendly for little construction workers. There’s no quartz, no microplastics, and no silica that might irritate eczema. It stays cool and (for the most part) stays in the sandbox when playtime is over.
He pointed out an overhead air purifier, even though the dust from the sand is minimal.
I couldn’t help but comment on how calm the atmosphere at Dozer was. Morning rush and all, I hadn’t seen one child toss or throw sand. It almost seemed to have a calming effect. That led to another aspect of intentionality: child safety. To keep play age-appropriate, the sandbox is for kids 8 and under with parental supervision.
Dozer is not just for kiddos–parents enjoy the construction “zen,” too! With more seating coming soon and outside food and drinks welcome, it’s an ideal mom meet-up spot. Grab a coffee treat and build community with old and new friends as you supervise your kids hard at play.
A little foreshadowing! At the end of our talk, Finn shared that sometimes families aren’t quite ready to leave after their hour of open play is over. For guests who don’t have the leisure to stay, a sticker from the check-in can help with the goodbye. For guests with a little extra time in their day, there’s an option to extend playtime at a discount (an additional 30 minutes for $5 per family).
My little guy had a hard time leaving the kid-sized operating equipment. I couldn’t blame him. Not long after we left, I had a dozer on my hands. I’m sure he was dreaming of our next visit. Plan yours today!