Urban Sandbox is a student-first learning platform designed to ignite creativity, nurture emotional well-being, and foster meaningful peer connection in a safe, supportive environment. Tailored specifically for K–12 students, Urban Sandbox offers a secure digital space where users share poems, journal entries, song lyrics, and artwork without fear of judgment. The platform champions social-emotional growth by encouraging self-expression, boosting self-esteem, and helping students develop communication skills and emotional resilience. With the launch of The Well Being Program, Urban Sandbox integrates a comprehensive and powerful mental health support system directly into its platform. Developed in collaboration with master’s students from Columbia University’s psychology department and The Child & Family Institute, the program offers a three-tiered approach to care: peer-to-peer support from trained psychology master’s students, guided sessions with predoctoral psychologists, and consultations with licensed psychologists, all at accessible price points. By dismantling common barriers like high costs, stigma, and long wait times, The Well-Being program gives every student access to the support they need, when they need it. The Well Being Program establishes a holistic ecosystem for student success, where creativity and emotional well-being go hand in hand, and where every student has the tools to express themselves, be heard, and thrive.
Formats/Platforms:
Web, Android, and iOS.
Primary URL:
Problem solved:
It responds to the urgent need for accessible student mental health support and safe, creative self-expression, particularly for K-12 students navigating the emotional and academic stress of today’s world.
Grade/age range:
K–12 students
Core/supplemental/special needs/extracurricular/professional development?
Supplemental, special needs, extracurricular and social-emotional development
Subject/topic:
Urban Sandbox is aligned with social-emotional learning (SEL) principles, supporting student well-being, emotional literacy, communication, and self-expression.
Lesson time needed:
The platform is self-guided and can be used flexibly. Mental health sessions are available on demand.
Pricing model:
Mental health sessions are available starting at $20 each, with schools eligible for discounted bulk packages that may include complimentary sessions.
The Well Being Program includes three levels of mental health care: peer support from trained psychology master's students, guided sessions with predoctoral psychologists, and professional support from licensed psychologists. All are available through the Urban Sandbox platform.
Additional services needed?
No additional services are needed for this product.
What makes Urban Sandbox unique?
Urban Sandbox is the only student-first platform that seamlessly combines creative expression with a comprehensive, tiered mental health support system. It eliminates cost and access barriers to mental health support, while providing a safe, moderated space for emotional growth and meaningful connection.
Characteristics:
Urban Sandbox prioritizes a safe, intuitive interface that encourages exploration, creativity, and sharing in a judgment-free space. Designed to be accessible and engaging, the platform features guided prompts and moderated forums, ensuring a positive and supportive user experience. Instructional design emphasizes student voice, peer interaction, and emotional literacy, while making it easy for parents to supervise and stay involved in their child’s experience.
What users are saying:
“Urban Sandbox app is an amazing sharing and learning tool for my 2 kids. We are so excited that our kids can share and publish their writing with other friends. There is also the opportunity to interact with teachers and professionals, which is a nice bonus. Like many parents, we’re very concerned about online safety, and Urban Sandbox offers children the opportunity to learn and have fun in a safe environment. I also found it easy to supervise my kids’ activity on the app, and they have enjoyed getting to meet new friends with similar interests. The app is simple to use, and we were able to get going on it very quickly. Now that the on demand Well-Being program is available, I can’t recommend it enough. Thank you Urban Sandbox!”
– Jae S.
“My kid LOVES using Urban Sandbox. These are his words “Urban Sandbox is very entertaining. I love the fact that I can post works I have done for my friends to see and publish my own books!” This is truly a platform built for kids to safely share their works and connect with each other! As a parent, I really appreciate the app – it offers valuable content for my child, and I feel reassured knowing I can supervise their activities directly through it. The Well-Being program also gives us the confidence to seek professional support when needed.”
– Louis. L.
