MORE PLACES TO PLAY. The Eau Claire Indoor Sandbox is not trying to be an ultra-stimulating, space-maxed place. Instead, owners Barb and Travis Shepherd hope the large indoor sandboxes offer another option for kiddos and families to play, year-round.

What if you could take backyard play time and bring it indoors; complete with provided toys, sensory-friendly spaces, calm colors and just enough space? For locals Barb and Travis Shepherd, turning that “what if” into a reality was just a dream – and a sound business plan – away.

The husband-and-wife duo likely wouldn’t have guessed they’d be the proud owners of an indoor sand box business – aptly named, the Eau Claire Indoor Sandbox – a few years ago. Then again, ample inspiration has only struck within that time frame, largely thanks to Barb’s “day job” as a business development specialist.

“It’s kind of an unexciting story, really,” she laughed, sharing how the sand box biz came to be. “(As a business development specialist), I help other people start businesses. I think it’s kind of in my nature and interest to create new things, new events or initiatives, and also help make them happen.

"We wanted to make it a sensory-friendly space, almost a sanctuary for families where they feel welcome and can slow down a bit in this crazy world we live in."

BARB SHEPHERD

OWNER, EAU CLAIRE INDOOR SANDBOX

“(Travis and I) knew we wanted to start our own business, we just didn’t know what exactly.”

As it turns out, their complementary skillsets – as a former special education teacher and business specialist, respectively – were applicable to a new-to-the-area concept: An indoor sand box and gathering space.

The Indoor Sandbox spans about 2,000 square feet, with the larger of the two sand boxes sitting at 300 square feet. The other, tucked into a separate room, is about half the size – ideal for kiddos who may need a quiet moment or two, Barb said.

“We wanted to make it a sensory-friendly space,” Barb said. “Almost a sanctuary for families where they feel welcome and can slow down a bit in this crazy world we live in.”

Barb and Travis have had parents share they’ve never seen their littles as calm as they are, playing in the sandbox. They’ve also witnessed several “firsts,” with kids testing out the feel of sand for the first time.

The small business, too, is a “first” for Barb and Travis. While they worked with the Western Wisconsin Women's Business Center over the last year, fleshing out their business plan and drawing up projections, surveying potential customers and more, Barb said they already have plenty of ideas to introduce into the space.

Some of those include rotating themes – dinosaur, agriculture and more – as well as “Sandbox Socials,” aimed at helping families meet other families in a child-friendly space. Additional ideas include movie nights and community events, and coming soon, the business will begin offering its “Play it Forward" program (an opportunity for individuals or businesses to "buy" admission for those who may not be able to afford it otherwise).

Those goals and values are evident inside the business, which can accommodate up to 15 littles in the large sand box and another four or five in the smaller box; offering a “blank slate” color palette, ideal for a calming atmosphere and for rotating themes.

With a few weeks now under their belts, Barb says they will continue “testing the concept,” seeking customer feedback and implementing their own ideas – which may include an artsy addition or two – ranging from rotating themes, different types of sands and toys, adult events from networking to sound baths and more.

Local entrepreneurs, Barb & Travis Shepherd.

The sandboxes are frequently and routinely sanitized through a combination of UV rays (for the sand itself) and natural sprays (for toys and equipment), the owners said.

The Eau Claire Indoor Sandbox is located at 4314 London Rd., Eau Claire • Business hours are 8:30am-2pm, Monday-Friday; 8:30am-12pm on Saturday • Keep up with the Indoor Sandbox on Facebook or reach out at (715) 215-2001 • Admission is $14/child which includes entry of one guardian or parent and the ability to bring your own snacks and beverages inside