What's the best way to convince my kitty the litter box isn't a place to play?

[E!!]

My little monster kitty Ravage loves to play in the litter box. Not only is this  but he make a huge mess kicking litter (and poop) out everywhere. Normally if one of the cats were somewhere I didn't want them I would use th spray bottle, but obviously I don't want him to avoid the litter box, just not play in it. When I see him in there playing I will pick him up and put him on the floor, but I am not always around so I can't do this consistently. He also thinks it is a game when I am scooping the litter and will pounce on the full scooper, sometimes knocking it out of my hand.

How can I keep him from doing this without creating some sort of aversion to the litter box?

[Lise]

Have you tried a covered litter box?  They do have to be kept very clean, but they drastically cut down on the mess being thrown everywhere.

And I would just shut him out of the room (if possible) when cleaning the litterbox, since it isn't a game. 

[E!!]

Putting a cover over the box could work, but we would have to custom make it since our litter box is just a big rubbermaid box. For some reason I hadn't thought of locking him out of room when i am scooping  that shouldn't be too much trouble. I just really wish that he didn't smell like poo when he comes to cuddle...

[nakedrats]

Make a "Top Entry" litter box....  Get a lid for it and cut a big ole hole in the middle.  Then it should keep at least most of the "goods" in the box.  I'm glad my kitties haven't thought of this one yet...