World's Largest Sandbox

EduTOX Video Challenge winner Asha Mior, 14

EduTOX winner Asha Mior shares her adventures at the 2016 World's Largest Sandbox

The day that I found out that I won the EduTOX Video Challenge, I screamed. A $1400 scholarship and a trip to Ottawa? What an opportunity! 

In early June, my family and I travelled to Ottawa to attend the World’s Largest Sandbox Event! The event, which takes place on Sparks Street in downtown Ottawa, allows parliamentarians, non-profit organizations, and local kids to come together to raise awareness of the health of Canadian children.  

Engaging Youth in Conversations about Toxic Chemicals through the EduTOX Video Challenge

While the use of chemical substances can improve our standard of living, many can cause unintended health effects. Chemical substances that we encounter in day-to-day life can be determined hazardous based on factors including toxicity – the potential of a chemical to be harmful – and the route and duration of exposure. Studies have shown that one’s exposure to chemical substances can begin as early as the embryo and fetus development phase, through the blood vessels of the placenta in the womb. Hazardous chemicals like mercury, lead, BPA, asbestos, phthalates and many others can be inhaled, ingested, or even absorbed through the skin and pose a great risk to human health. As the use of chemical substances and additives increases with each generation, so too does the risk to all children and youth. So how do we take action and inform youth about the impacts of these potential toxins?

By making them a part of the solution of course!

Media Release: World's Largest Sandbox 2016

The World's Largest Sandbox: Playtime with purpose

OTTAWA, June 8, 2016 - Canada’s leaders were in the sandbox today to help build a healthier generation of Canadians. To raise awareness about The Sandbox Project, Parliamentarians, media personalities, not-for-profit and industry professionals joined 70 local schoolchildren and families to build sand sculptures in the Fifth Annual World’s Largest Sandbox on Ottawa’s Sparks Street. 

New and improved accessibility for the 2016 World's Largest Sandbox

The 5th Annual World's Largest Sandbox is now accessible to more children

Every year, The Sandbox Project holds the World’s Largest Sandbox – our signature annual event that aims to raise awareness of the importance of collaborating, investing and focusing on the health and wellbeing of Canada’s children and youth.  This yearly event brings together Parliamentarians, media personalities, not-for-profit organizations and industry professionals in a giant sandbox with local children and school groups for an exciting sandcastle-building competition. 

This year, The Sandbox Project has partnered with Smilezone Foundation to build a fully inclusive sandbox structure. For the first time ever, in collaboration with the Ontario Association of Children’s Rehabilitation Services (OACRS) and the Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre (OCTC), we are happy to announce that the World’s Largest Sandbox event is now accessible to all children.