Free Virtual Sand Tray
Build expressive play therapy scenes in the browser. Drag miniatures, draw in the sand, export PNG. Free for therapists.
Sand tray scene map
The clinical value is not the miniature library alone. It is the symbolic scene, reflection, and documentation.
roles and relationships
walls, cages, distance
supports and resources
meaning without words
What Is a Virtual Sand Tray?
A virtual sand tray is an online sand tray therapy tool where clients create scenes with digital miniatures instead of a physical sandbox. Therapists use it for expressive work, play therapy, telehealth sessions, supervision, and documentation when emotions or experiences are difficult to put into words.
How to Use This Tool
- 1. Browse miniatures — Use the sidebar to search or browse 50 miniatures across 8 categories: people, animals, buildings, nature, vehicles, fantasy, feelings, and objects.
- 2. Build your scene — Click any miniature to place it on the sand. Drag to move, use handles to resize and rotate.
- 3. Draw in the sand — Switch to drawing mode (D key) to trace patterns in the sand texture.
- 4. Review the scene — Use the scene to support reflection, storytelling, symbolic play, or clinical discussion.
- 5. Export and document — Save scenes as images for supervision, case consultation, or clinical notes.
Guide for Telehealth Sand Tray Sessions
Need the clinical frame before you use the tool? Read the therapist guide to online sand tray setup, prompts for children and teens, documentation examples, and safety boundaries for telehealth sessions.
Read the online sand tray guideFeatures
- ✓ 50 curated miniatures with symbolic meaning
- ✓ 5 sand textures (beach, zen, moon, snow, forest)
- ✓ Browser-based scene building
- ✓ Draw in the sand
- ✓ Export scenes as PNG
- ✓ Shareable read-only scene links
- ✓ Undo/redo with keyboard shortcuts
- ✓ Free, no signup required
Documentation Example
Client used virtual sand tray to create a scene involving distance, protection, and one preferred support. Client described the central figure as "wanting to be close but not safe yet." Therapist used reflective prompts and supported identification of safety cues and one grounding strategy before next session.
Keep documentation descriptive. Anchor meaning to the client's words and observed changes rather than assigning fixed interpretations to symbols.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Related Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this virtual sand tray free? +
Yes. The browser-based virtual sand tray is free to use, and the soft email prompt can be skipped.
Is the sand tray content saved by CoralEHR? +
No. Scene work stays in the browser unless you export it. Avoid entering names, PHI, or identifying details into free public tools.
Who is this sand tray tool for? +
It is built for trained therapists using expressive, play, child, trauma, or telehealth-informed interventions. It is not a substitute for clinical training or crisis care.
Can I use it in telehealth? +
Yes, therapists can screen share the tool during telehealth sessions. The public page is not a website embed and does not replace a secure clinical platform.
Next step
See the play therapy workflow we are building
Use the free sand tray now. The next step is the play therapist bridge page, where interactive tools connect to the broader EHR workflow.
EHR for play therapists