When playing with young chickens, could I play in a sandbox with them?

In 15-20 years I'll have enough saved up for a house (Hopefully sooner) and then I'll get chickens. I want 3 Buff Lace hens and a Silkie hen. I also want to hand raise them from a young age. When I'm playing with them, helping them get used to handling and living in a coop/run, will I be able to play with them in a sand box? I think it might help them learn dust bathing, as well as add bonding and handling experience for them. I'm far from rough, I just want to be able to hug them and easily move them as adults, but not accidentally make them indoor only without knowing what to do when I stick them in the run/coop. I'd like to raise them more indoors, since I want to stay here but there are many snakes and foxes, as well as making sure I don't lose them to drowning in their own water or pond. I don't know if they can swim. My budgies can't. Still, storms hit here often, I really want them to be used to inside and outside, as well as handling, without crippling them in just basic things like giving themselves dust baths or scratching up bugs. I trained how lightly I can pet things by buying a spikey cactus and patting it. =D I can pet it without scratching my fingers. If you're wondering I'm Autistic. >_> Some things I understand easily, others not. But I really want to be able to play with my pets. Like burying treats they can dig up, sprinkling sand on them while they're bathing and stuff.

Hi I really like the sounds of your plans for keeping chickens :)
I have 2 sons who are autistic and they love having all the animals around. We already have chickens and have just hatched 7 healthy chicks! (3 days old) It was great fun to watch. I'm still learning about raising chicks but as for adult chickens you will probably find they come in the house no problem ;) easier to handle than you think and fascinating to watch as they explore and learn new things themselves :)
 
My chickens will climb up the back steps to look in the french doors at us
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Even right now I have 2 cats, a dog, 2 budgies, a very large amount of fish, 2 apple snails, I had a bunch of baby crickets but they seem to have somehow disappeared in their terrarium, and 3 frogs. XD I've also got eggs from my Corydoris Catfish. She laid over 20!
 

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