Extreme Sandbox: The Pros and Cons We visited the Extreme Sandbox in Hastings on Saturday, October 5, to celebrate my father-in-law's birthday and the birthday of another friend. We bought them the package where you split your time between the excavator and bulldozer. From our experience, I came up with a list of pros and cons: Pros: This was a birthday surprise, and when my father-in-law finally saw the Extreme Sandbox area with obstacles set up and heavy equipment waiting to be operated, he was all smiles. Owner Randy got us checked in promptly and showed us a safety/instructional video about the machines. This was not your typical, boring video. It featured the owners themselves and was very humorous. Let's be clear, safety is their top priority, but they are all about making sure people have fun too. Just my father-in-law and friend were going to do it, but co-owner Don offered us a deal to use an excavator that wasn't going to be used, so my sister-in-law and I also got to join in on the fun. Randy and Don took us out to the machines and strapped in and ready to go. They were patient and kept things light-hearted. They are very funny guys. You are always in contact with an employee of Extreme Sandbox through a headset. In our case, it was Randy and Don. They were great at explaining which joysticks and knobs to use, and made what could have been an intimidating thing to learn very easy to learn. After some initial instruction, they cut us loose and let us dig and build our own hill of dirt with the excavator. When it was a mound (or "tee"), they placed a basketball on top and had us swing the arm of our excavator around and "drive" the basketball off the tee with the bucket. Trust me, if you do this, you are going to be the only one of your friends who has played excavator golf. For those of us who drove the bulldozer, we got to build a giant hill of dirt and then drive up. You sit at the top, almost vertical, and then get to "tip" over. It is all very safe and makes for some great photos. Speaking of photos, for a reasonable fee, they will take professional close-up photos for you and then email them. We chose this option and received our photos promptly the next morning - on a Sunday. The photos were awesome and captured the experience perfectly. The spectator area was great too, as we had our wives along to watch. There is a covered area behind some barricades that provide a great place to take photos and videos. It is almost as much fun to watch the whole process as it is actually do it. Cons: Cons? There are no cons! Well, maybe there would be cons if you are the kind of person that doesn't enjoy having fun or getting the chance to operate 19 ton excavators and build giant hills with bulldozers. This was truly an awesome, unique experience and I would recommend it to anyone. This is not just for guys either. My sister-in-law is only 5'4" and she operated the excavator just as well or even better than the guys. And the biggest key to making our time great was Randy and Don. They truly care about you as a customer and do everything to make sure you have fun. They run their business with a customer-first perspective which is refreshing to see. Go visit Extreme Sandbox soon - you won't regret it! read more

I bought my husband a one-hour session on a Groupon for Christmas. In calling ahead to schedule a time, I had the opportunity to add another hour for a nominal fee and gladly did so since my husband was actually looking forward to going. His interest was not misplaced! When we arrived and looked around, I signed up for a slot also so that we could do dueling excavators. Well worth the time and the money! We took our two kids as observers and they were suitably impressed to meet Adam, after seeing him do his star turn on Shark Tank. Running the machinery was a hoot. It was a video game gone wild. The training video was funny and informative. Our headsets kept us out of trouble and connected to our able instructor, Jason. It's almost worth the fee to talk to Jason. He's witty, personable and down-to-earth. We dug holes, traveled an obstacle course that involved picking up balls and other things, and even picked up a real car. (I won the challenge of making two baskets by picking up a ball in the bucket and depositing it in a tire. Hubby got one and missed one. Nice try, dear!) The time flew by. When you go, take your camera or have them photograph or video you. Great afternoon and wonderful funny and caring people running this business. read more

This experience was a birthday gift from my son. I was extremely nervous because I do nit drove large cars and couldn't imagine driving anything that big. Luke greeted us at the door and made us feel very welcome. We gathered in the training room and was given thorough safety demonstration and an overview of all the equipment. Then it was off to the sandbox. Each operator is paired with an instructor throughout the entire session. The team at Extreme Sandbox were hilarious. By the time I climbed into the first piece of equipment I was relaxed and ready to play and have fun. You are in constant contact with your instructor with a headset all the while they give you encouragement and instructions. It is more than just driving around in the dirt. You get to dig holes, grade, follow obstacle courses and play games. You can take your own photos and videos or choose to have them taken by someone on staff. They even have a video drone that flies around and films your adventure. This was an awesome experience and I highly recommend it as a unique gift to yourself or someone special. Try it...you will be amazed. read more

This was a fantastic experience and a birthday gift from my Mom. I actually have been imagining doing something like this for years and mentioned it to my Mom when I heard about Extreme Sandbox so she offered to make it my gift. Even the required instructional video that takes the first 20 minutes of the visit was entertaining. My instructor, Matt, was very helpful and talked me through the process while I was in the cab using very high quality headset communications devices. My son who came along to take pictures and video, was able to listen in on his own headset. It's a safe, well-run operation that is great fun! I only had the mini-sandbox experience with one piece of equipment, the excavator. I got to dig a deep hole and make a big pile of sand. Matt then put a basketball on top, helped me position the bucket at the height of the ball and then spun the cab around 360 degrees to hit the ball off the "tee." I may have to come back some day for the bulldozer and front end loader. read more

For my birthday a friend bought me a gift certificate to "play" in the sandbox with a Caterpillar excavator...I got to use the bigger, brand new one! What a blast! Randy, the owner, was upbeat and fun, encouraging...and okay, just a little harassing (LOL) as he taught me how to play and guided me threw the course via a micro phone headset. I love trying new adventures and always wanted to play with "the big toys". I can't say enough about this experience. It was so much fun and Randy is great. The only downside is...the time goes by way to fast when you are having this much fun!!! Ladies, don't think this stuff is just for the Boyz...give your self a real treat...forget the heels and manicured nails....get down and dirty and have some real fun!!!!!! I know I'll be going back to play some more. I think It's addictive.... Randy, thanks for an awesome experience!!!! Linda read more

My wife got me a gift certificate to Extreme Sandbox as a Christmas gift. What an awesome gift! Huge props to her in coming up with this "out of the box" gift. Great experience! Our son was coming home from college so I scheduled the adventure for the weekend he was due home and paid the additional fees for him and I to go play. Jason was our instructor and he was very friendly and engaging. Jason instructed us while we ran the machines in addition to engaging us in humorous small talk. I gotta believe that a lot of guys would really dig getting a gift like this from their wives/girlfriends. With my son mostly grown and away at school we don't get to hang out as much as we used to. This was a really fun experience for the both of us! read more

This was so much fun!!!! After a brief set of instructional videos we headed out to the equipment. The two gentlemen that run the business were very friendly and funny! The instructions they provided allowed us to start using the equipment quite efficiently with minimal effort. We chose to do the dueling excavators for a little friendly husband and wife competition...it was so much fun as the headsets they give you allow you to speak with your instructor but also each other. The obstacle course for the excavators was challenging but not to difficult. Overall...we couldn't stop smiling after we were done...we would recommend this to anyone looking for a great time!!! read more

I booked this experience as a surprise for my husband's birthday. We had a great time!! Adam was so helpful and funny, and so were the training videos. I was really nervous about driving the equipment (I can't parallel park my own car!) but Adam made it easy. You wear headphones and get as much help as you need from your guide on the ground. We had competitions, dug holes, drove over the dirt hills we made and even lifted and swung around cars! My husband was so surprised and loved his time there. I felt like I did something totally out of my comfort zone and really enjoyed it and felt proud afterwards. I would recommend this for friends, couples, families or work teams. read more

What a blast! This is a first class operation with a slightly warped sense of humor ... right up my alley ... with deadpan lines like, "We only lose about one out of three customers with this maneuver." Instructor Jason was spot on with directions, advise, conversation and more bad jokes and I dug, pushed, spun, stretched, raked and much more with the machines. Additional activities and obstacles with barriers, balls, tires and cars provided more challenge, interest and fun for the afternoon. The only difference between men and boys is the size of their toys. Check this out when you're in the neighborhood. Translation for my Boston friends: It's wicked good. read more

We absolutely loved our experience at Extreme Sandbox. We did the dueling excavators and enjoyed every moment of it. The process of getting to know the machine was smooth and easy and then it was off to the races through the obstacle course. Having the three way comms was excellent and added greatly to the experience. Staff was first rate, professional, friendly and accommodating. This was done as a surprise birthday gift for my wife - wow was she surprised! The only down side is that now she considers herself an expert with the Cat 315 and we cannot pass a construction project without her saying "I can do that!" read more

This place is RAD. I went here with my dad for an early Father's Day excursion. We drove two bulldozers and excavators. At one point we got to lift cars with the excavators. It made me feel very masculine, and I mean that sincerely. Some great father son bonding time. My homeboy Matt was our instructor. The instructions were clear and concise. I felt safe the entire time. He took a selfie on my phone before taking a picture of my dad and I, which made us both laugh a lot. The staff is very friendly. Minnesota nice made manifest! Highly recommended to anyone who wants to play with toys for big kids! read more

This was an absolute blast!! I did the Extreme Adventure with my time on the Excavator and Bulldozer. These are the real machines too - no modifications. Luke was great to work with. Very easy going and gave a lot of great advice and instruction. The safety videos were done in a way that was informative but very fun at the same time. I loved all of the obstacle courses - they added another dimension to running the equipment beyond just digging or pushing dirt around. If you've ever wanted to go and play with the big toys, this is absolutely worth it. I will definitely go back again! read more

My father and I did the dueling excavator's and we had a blast! Luke was our instructor and he did a great job teaching. We did this on a cold day but you would never have known it as the cabs were heated and very comfortable. Communication is done by headsets that are always on and two-way so you don't have to push any buttons to talk. There is a brand new spectator area that is indoors and heated. Spectators can also listen in on the conversation. My wife watched us and was able to get really good pictures from this area. Completely worth it! Can't wait to try the skid steer! read more

Bought this for my Husband as a gift & afterwards he said it was the best present he's ever gotten!!! He did the classic sandbox and had the excavator. Was so fun video-taping him. Everyone at Extreme Sandbox was super personable & made the experience just wonderful. Adam was a great instructor and very funny too! Would rate this 10 stars if I could. Was an incredibly fun time and we'll definitely be back. The course they set up is super cool and really allows skills to be shown. Thank you Adam for making it so much fun for myself and my Husband Mark. We look forward to next time! read more

I had a great time at Extreme Sandbox last week - what a blast! I did the "Extreme Sandbox" package, which includes all three pieces of equipment for seven hours of fun; the time flew by. If you're considering it and wondering which package to choose, go for the big one - I wish it was even longer. I also recommend getting the "Picture Package" so you can focus on digging in the dirt and you don't have to stop to take pictures - it's worth it! Adam was an awesome instructor and I had a great time with him. If I lived closer, I'd be there at least once a month! read more

What a blast. My wife bought this adventure as a gift and what a great adventure it was. The instructor was encouraging, friendly, and very good. It was rainy and cold but the cab was warm and dry in the climate controlled environment. My experience was with the excavator and I look forward to going back to try the other equipment. One of the things I really enjoyed was that after a half hour of learning/using the equipment there was an obstacle course. I enjoyed testing my skills and competing against my friend for the faster time. Thanks Extreme Sandbox read more

I gave a 1 1/2 hour gift certificate to the Extreme Sandbox to my husband for our anniversary. He was so thrilled to receive the gift. He said his experience was one of the most fun experiences he has ever had. He loved every detail. He chose the excavator and had so much fun digging a hole, and putting some of the dirt back into it. He did not realize that there would be obstacles to overcome too.....fun things with basket balls, tennis balls & automobiles. We both would recommend this to anyone. I had a ball just watching him :) read more

My wife and I spend a fantastic afternoon at the Extreme Sandbox last week. We ran a pair of 26 ton Komatsu excavators for an hour. We dug big holes, drove thru an obstacle course, lifted basketballs and dropped them into tires, and picked up a car and moved it around. There was a 20 minute instruction video and 2 excellent and funny instructors. We all wore 2 way communications headsets. They talked us thru everything so you couldn't go wrong. We had a ball and would highly recommend the Sandbox. read more

This is an amazing place with amazing people! From the very first phone call, everyone was SO nice and FUNNY! They all have a great sense of humor and great personalities! My son has wanted to go here for years and he finally was able to fulfill his dream this last weekend. He had a BLAST and his instructor, Jason, made the experience even better! We would DEFINITELY recommend going here...well worth the money! :) Thank you to everyone there at Extreme Sandbox! read more