What Is a Sandbox? Find the Perfect Sandbox for Your Yard
Bring the beach to your backyard.
Bring the beach to your backyard with a sandbox. A sandbox adds the fun and playfulness of creating in the sand without having to travel anywhere – and less mess! If you’ve been wondering, “What is a sandbox?”, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn what a sandbox is and the different features they offer; you are bound to find the perfect sandbox for your backyard.
What Is a Sandbox?
A sandbox is an often wooden or plastic frame that holds sand for little ones to play in. Often square-shaped, sandboxes can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Allowing little ones to play in sand is great for improving their imagination, socialization, and coordination. Your child can let their imagination run wild and build their own sandcastle in their own backyard.
Sandbox Materials
Wood: Wooden sandboxes are strong and durable and add a natural element to your backyard. The wood will last you for years to come, making it the perfect option if you have young children. Wooden sandboxes are a great complement to wooden swing sets and can even match a wooden deck, making it easy to fit a sandbox into your backyard decor seamlessly.
Plastic: Plastic sandboxes are the most popular type of sandbox due to their versatility in shape, color, and design. Plastic sandboxes are known for their fun shapes, like turtles, crabs, and even hippos! It makes playing more fun and adds a pop of color to your backyard. Most plastic sandboxes come with covers, making it easy to keep unwanted animals out of your sand. Plastic sandboxes are easy to keep clean; use your hose to wash off any dirt or mess on the outside or sides. If you leave them outside throughout the seasons, keep in mind that the plastic can crack and fade over time when left in the sun.
Small (Under 3'): A small sandbox is best suited for one to two children and is small in size (under 3' in diameter or width, depending on the sandbox shape you choose). Small sandboxes are perfect for small yards and are often made of plastic, making them a breeze to move or store away for the season. While small, they still give your little ones a place to build sandcastles and let their imaginations run wild.
Medium (3' – 5'): Medium sandboxes range between 3' and 5' in diameter or width, depending on the sandbox shape you choose, making it the perfect option if you don’t want your sandbox to take up too much space in your yard. A medium sandbox is best suited for two to four little ones.
Large (5'+): Large sandboxes are over 5' wide and best suited for families with multiple children or frequent playdates. If you have a large yard, a large sandbox will fit right in! Some large sandboxes can accommodate up to eight children at a time, making them the perfect places for friends to build castles together.
Cover: To help keep your sandbox clean, opt for a sandbox with a cover. A sandbox cover helps keep your sand in the best condition possible and can also keep birds and cats from getting into the sand. Covers are a great addition if you plan on placing a sandbox beneath a tree, it will help keep branches and leaves out. In windy weather, try weighing it down to keep the cover from blowing away.
Canopy: Little ones can play in the sand for hours – keep them cool by opting for a sandbox with a canopy. The canopy will create shade, giving you peace of mind knowing they aren’t getting too much sun. Most canopies can be removed, allowing you to take off when not needed or in case of extreme wind conditions.
Seating: Give little ones a place to sit down and create by opting for a sandbox with seating. The seats are built into the bottom of the sandbox, allowing children to reach the sand and their favorite toys right from their seat.
Bottomless: A bottomless sandbox has no bottom, letting you place your sandbox anywhere on the ground. If you don’t have a cover or you find yourself getting a lot of rain in your sandbox, a bottomless sandbox will allow water to drain out of the sand and into the dirt below.
No Assembly Required: Spend less time putting the sandbox together by opting for a sandbox with no assembly required. The sandbox arrives ready to place in your yard, letting your little one waste no time when it comes to building sandcastles.
Tip!
Looking to make your sandbox more fun? Add sand toys! Sand toys will help their imagination run wild and keep them busy for hours.