Sandboxes

For classic fun for all ages, a backyard sandbox can offer hours of imagination improving entertainment. There are few playground activities that provide security and a safe play environment than having your kids playing in a sandbox. The traditional sandbox is the closest thing many landlocked kids can have to enjoying ocean side games. Whether your kids are building sandcastles in their sandbox or molding unique terrain to drive their toy trucks, the sandbox will surely create long lasting memories of creative play.

Sandboxes can be constructed in their most basic form with any weather resistant material. Anything from wooden boards to brick and concrete can be used to build the sides for a kid’s sand box. After that, all you really need to add is sand and your kids.
If you don't want to go the do it yourself route when constructing a kids sandbox, there are many manufacturers who create sandboxes for your children. They came in most any size, from a tiny area for tottlers up to big eight and ten foot maxi sandboxes for group fun and larger kids.

Commercially available sandboxes come in a multitude of shapes as well. Besides the classic square, there are circular and hexagonal designs available. With the advent of high impact plastics you can now find sandboxes that are formed into animal shapes and other geometric designs. Some even have multiple levels for different activities your kids might want to do in the sandbox. One very useful addition to the sandbox is the advent of building awnings over the play area to prevent excess sun and to protect the sand and the sandbox occupants from inclement weather and falling debris from surrounding trees. A landscaping cloth on the bottom under the sand will prevent sand seepage and a mesh cover over the top when not in use will keep the sand cleaner so that replacement can be put off an extra year or two.

There are several considerations to think about when choosing the sand for your kid’s sandbox. If it is available in your area, most experts agree that natural beach sand is the best. You should take the initial precaution of straining the sand through a screen when first installing it to remove any foreign objects like shells or broken glass fragments. Mason's sand, also known as brick sand, is another fine choice. It will be somewhat powdery at first but a rain or two will eliminate that problem. Concrete sand, while more easily obtainable, has been described as too coarse for the average play sandbox.