Sand play commonly occupies children at preschools, child-development centers, and school and park playgrounds. The authors review the research on sand play and present a small study on outdoor sand play conducted at a university-based, child-development center using a method they call "facilitated-action research." This study had four primary purposes: to detail who played in the sand area by age and gender; to identify any children who did not play in sand at all; to record what kinds of play sand encouraged; and to determine the effects of adding new play materials to the sand area. The authors conclude with some suggestions for further research.