If you have small children then you are familiar with their insatiable need to dig. And if you have a garden, potted plants, or flower beds, then you have probably had to beg them to not play in the dirt. I know I have said countless times to my four little boys “Please don’t dig in mommy’s flowers!”
That is where this nifty invention called the sandbox comes into play. *IMPORTANT: Make sure when you are filling your sandbox with sand that it is a safe kind that is meant for sandboxes. Not all sand types are safe for children. If you can get beach sand from a landscaper that would be best.
We are planning on adding a new on in our yard this spring. So I did a little research to see the different kinds that are out there. Here are some of my favorites.
Sand is from the beach… beach and boats… it kind of makes sense to have a boat for a sandbox don’t you think? This one is adorable and the boys seem to be having a blast. And I am a big fan of repurposing items. I have noticed old fishing boats on our local classifieds online several times. This would be an easy and inexpensive way to have a sandbox.
I think this was invented by a parent who either had cats or had neighborhood cats. The reason we ended up covering our old sandbox up with dirt and growing grass there, was because it turned into a giant kitty litter. YUCK! This version not only has wheel so you can move it, but the sandbox slides under the playhouse when not in use. I have also seen this idea used without the playhouse. The deck off the back of the house had a slide out sandbox. This is pretty genius if you ask me.
This darling tepee sandbox would not only spark your child’s imagination but it would keep the harsh sun off of them. I think because of the reason stated above, I would make it so the flap could close.
This idea would be wonderful is space were an issue. You could wheel it into a garage or shed when not in use. Or even into the corner of a patio. You could also put a board on top and use it as an outdoor ottoman or table.
This sandbox is darling! It has a ledge to sit on and a cover to protect from the sun. I think it would be perfect foe a little toddler. I don’t think my four boys would fit!
I love this idea for a balcony or small backyard. I also have an affinity for furniture that does double duty. Play in the sand one minute and then put the top on and have a picnic the next. Perfect!
I remember my school playground in elementary having tires every where used as swing, tunnels, climbing structures, and even sandboxes. So this was a fun find and gave me nostalgia. Again, this would be great for a toddler. I think my four boys would each need their own if we chose to go this route. But this is another great example of re-purposing.
If you do not want the mess of real sand and you do not have access to the safe kind of sand as talked about above, then pea gravel might me a good option. You couldn’t make sand castles but it would still be fun to dig in!
I still have not made up my mind on how we are going to make our sandbox. But I do know that with four boys and countless neighborhood kids, it will be big!
