Apparently the Japanese actually have miniature figures dedicated to this alone. (eurogamer.net)
The Sandplay Method is a play therapy modality, which consists of the child, or adult client making whatever he or she feels like building with a wide assortment of miniature figures in a tray of sand in the presence of a trained professional. (barbaraturner.org)
New Jersey artist Joe Iurato makes intricate wooden cutouts of miniature figures, which he then places in various urban scenes to create a unique kind of street art. (creativeboom.com)