What to look for in an outdoor children's sandpit
Sandpits are one of the most-loved children’s toys that are available on the market, and can be found in homes with young children all across the world. Seeing as summer is upon us, we see no better time for you to purchase a sandpit for your child if you’ve been considering doing so.
Because of the frequent trips that your child will inevitably make to their sandpit when you purchase one, we believe that it’s in your best interest to buy one of the highest possible quality. If you haven’t purchased one before, it can be difficult to establish what a good-quality sandpit should include.
To get you one step closer to purchasing the sandpit of your child’s dreams, we thought it wise to devise a handy little guide regarding what you should look for in a children’s outdoor sandpit.
The essentials
Wet sand makes the ideal home for insects, which can bite, sting, or scare children, so it’s essential that your sandpit has a way of draining any water that is retained – be it from rain, or if your child chooses to wet some sand to play with one day. Most water drainage systems will come in the form of a ground sheet, which will drain water, keep sand in place, and prevent any grass or weeds from growing into the play area.
Covering the sandpit after each use may seem like a good idea, but it often causes more harm than good. A plastic cover of sorts will not let air into the sandpit, which means that it may become damp. Instead, opt for a wire covering such as fine chicken wire; animals or pets won’t use the sandpit as a toilet, the sand will be able to aerate, and the sand can be naturally cleansed by rain. Because of this, it isn’t necessary for the sandpit that you purchase to have a cover.
However, we do recommend that you try and purchase a sandpit with comes with a canopy. As well as protecting your children from the sun’s UV rays (and the rain, if they are so inclined to play outside in it) it will prevent any bird mess from making its way into the sandpit.
If applicable, you may also want to consider how accessible a sandpit is. If your child uses a wheelchair, for example, making use of a regular sandpit is going to prove to be difficult, and may even be dangerous. Thankfully, plenty of sandpits come in the form of a table or raised platform, which offers all of the fun and exploration of a regular sandbox, but allows your child to remain seated and safe.
And now the fun stuff...
Practicalities aside, we believe that it’s always nice for a sandpit to come with some fun extras, too. Some will come with the likes of an attached wooden playhouse, storage space for toys and tools, or a water chamber – all of which will enhance your child’s experience using the sandpit.
As a matter of fact, why not take your child with you when you do choose to go sandpit shopping? They know what’s best, after all...
To find out more about what you should look for when purchasing a sandpit, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
