Create a Sandbox from scratch

Updated 1 week ago by Rana Wilds

Creating, Interacting, and Presenting
Getting started
Choose your style
Adding to your Sandbox
Content settings
- Allowed tools
FAQs

Sandbox is a freeform, virtual whiteboard where you can doodle, create lessons, story books, games and more! Getting started with a Sandbox that is completely empty can be intimidating - we get it! Allow me to walk you through how to create a Sandbox from scratch.

Creating, Interacting, and Presenting

When using Sandbox, there are three views to be aware of.

Creating (editing the Sandbox itself) - This is when someone is building or contributing to the Sandbox by adding cards, drawing, typing, uploading media, etc. Only users with Writer permissions or higher can do this. The Owner always has full creative control.

Interacting / Posting (contributing content) - Visitors with Writer permissions can add their own posts or content to the Sandbox. This is great for collaborative activities such as brainstorming, class responses, and group work.

Presenting (view-only) - Presentation view lets you flip through cards in order, like a slideshow or storybook. This is ideal if you want to share a finished lesson or presentation. Just click the Slideshow button at the top!

Use the Create or Interact/Post views by sharing the original link to the Sandbox. To do this, either copy/paste the URL from the address bar or click the Share arrow followed by Copy link.

Use the Presentation view by clicking the Slideshow button (at the top) or adding ?play=1 to the end of the original link.

Getting started

Now that we have that out of the way, lets get started creating your Sandbox.

From your dashboard, click on the pink + Make button in the upper-left corner of the screen.

Choose one of the Sandbox options or click See examples to get ideas.

Choose your style

Templates

Template or no template? That is the question.

A Template is a pre-made card to help guide you when you're creating your Sandbox.

When creating your Sandbox, the template you choose will populate. If you change your mind, add another card to Sandbox and delete the existing one.

Every new card generated will have the Start from a template button in the bottom-right corner. Click on the button to choose from the list of templates.

Card backgrounds / Themes

Think of the Card background / Theme as the "wallpaper" for your card. Just as you can set the Wallpaper for your boards and Sandboxes, you can also set the Card background (wallpaper) for your cards.

Create a theme for your Sandbox in the Settings panel (⚙️) to choose the default Card background. Under Theme, click Card background. This takes you to the 'Theme card background' menu. Make your selection and click Save.

Each time a new card is added it will populate with your pre-set theme!

All cards using the theme background will be updated if the theme is changed.

Card backgrounds can be changed individually within the card's menu. Click the three-dot ellipsis button (...) on the card thumbnail and select Change background.

Wallpaper

Choose your preferred wallpaper by clicking on the Settings cog icon (⚙️). Under Appearance, click Wallpaper.

Adding to your Sandbox

Begin adding objects to your Sandbox with text, shapes, notes and media using the tool menu. If you don't see the option you want, it has either been disabled by an admin or you need to click on the 'more attachments' button (the circle with the three dots) to reveal more options.

To go into more detail about all the different tools within a Sandbox, check out this article.

Content settings

If other users will be contributing to your Sandbox, you may want to disable certain tools to prevent them from being used. This can be adjusted within the 'Allowed tools' menu.

Allowed tools

In the Settings panel, under Content, select Allowed tools to customize the tools your collaborators have access to.

You can learn more about Allowed tools here!

FAQs

How can I change the template on a card I'm currently working on?

Easiest option: Create a new card and delete the old one.

Another option: Click the three-dot ellipsis button (...) for that card in your card deck. Then, select Clear all objects. This will clear your card and prompt a button to appear in the bottom-right corner that says, 'Start from a template...'. Click this button to select a different template.

More tedious option: If you have objects on the card that you don't want removed -- Changing your template is a little more difficult. You will need to add a new card to your Sandbox, set the card template and then copy the relevant objects over to the new card.

What is the difference between a Template, Card background and Wallpaper?

Template: A pre-made card to help guide you when you're creating your Sandbox. Template objects can be edited and removed, if needed.

Card background: Think of your card background as the "wallpaper" for your card. Just as you can set the wallpaper for a Padlet board and Sandbox, you can also set the card background (wallpaper) for your cards!

Wallpaper: The wallpaper is the color and design surrounding the card and covering the rest of the page. The wallpaper on a board and Sandbox cover the same areas.