Do you have a sandpit?

[Bluemandm]

I’m thinking of getting one for my 2 years old birthday but wanted to hear from others whether they get used much? They’re quite expensive (and ugly) if the novelty wears off quick!

We have one like this www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/outdoor/sand-and-water-tables/sand-and-water-tables/sand-and-water-table/p/182559

DD loved hers. You need a good cover to keep it clean and dry.

I found that she needed company in the early days, so be prepared to sit with her and play. Apart from the usual stuff we had Happyland people in the pit, plastic cars, plastic bowls, basically whatever you can clean easily afterwards.

We had a plastic seashell one first, the kind with an attached roof but I found them too small. We then got a wooden one, needed a lot more sand and we got a detachable cover (tarpauline style) but it was better to sit in, sit on the frame and in general just more space.

I agree with the above poster - look at getting a sand table (or sand and water table) instead of an actual sand pit. They are much cheaper, portable (so you can move it around the garden to a shady area in the summer) and less cumbersome and ugly.
If your DC really loves it then you could look at getting a more expensive permanent sand pit in a couple of years, but no point in doing that now if it ends up being a 5 minute wonder.

We do have a sand and water table which got lots of love last year (I can’t remember if it was the sand or water side which they preferred though ) I just found that it wasn’t big enough to do any proper digging or building in really

My children are pretty much grown up now, but we got a sandpit when the older one was 2. It was a really good investment & got played with loads. We hung onto it for ages as it was a hit when other kids came to play.

We got one that was on legs, like a traditional sand & water table at nursery, so they didn't get to sit in it (strategic move on our part) but they loved building with the sand, & burying things, & making roads for toy cars.

Top tips :

• make a rule that absolutely all sand stays in the garden!

-get a cover to keep rain & cats off

• buy special "play" sand which doesn't stain clothing (don't be tempted to go to B&Q & get builder's sand which is cheaper but leaves clothes looking nicotine-stained.

Have fun!

Oh, just seen you already have a sand table but want to go bigger! Go for it!

We have this one. It’s ugly but it’s the only one we’ve found with a lid that stays on in the wind. I does get played in endlessly during the summer.

www.argos.co.uk/product/3140840?istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=30f62ea9-9626-4cac-97c8-9ff3921f8558&istItemId=ixilqpaqm&istBid=t&&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157%7Cacid:629-618-1342%7Ccid:9563523558%7Cagid:102231005750%7Ctid:aud-641224041097:pla-1146348398341%7Ccrid:423314718191%7Cnw:g%7Crnd:11430670115989882452%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:%7Cmt:%7Cloc:9075133&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=9563523558&utm_term=3140840&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=102231005750&utm_custom2=629-618-1342&gclid=Cj0KCQiAvP6ABhCjARIsAH37rbSMBTt7un6V75v8H_ksJc40RqYHS45vQtT_REXwW_eJJOlLJ214LYMaAqG1EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

We made our own by buying a kit to make a raised flowerbed (£10!)

It was played in loads. We always covered it so no problem with animals.

Favourite toys were the big plastic diggers.

I'm interested in this too. I have a nearly 7yo who still enjoys sand, and a 2.5yo who really enjoyed it last year. I need something that'll do for both of them, but it's hard! We have a second hand tray one (a bit like the turtle or shell) and a second hand, really tiny table. They're both falling apart, let the water in, etc.

I was thinking about a DIY one but not sure where to start!

Such a long time ago but mine had such fun in it and with it. As others have said a lid is essential and the little hand held portable vac bought for the car became indispensable for quickly vacuuming the sand up from the patio, including between the cracks.

We have the classic turtle style. DS1 was still playing with it last summer at the tender age of 9

When we lived in Aussie we had a sandpit and paddling pool. Got loads of use out of both.
Make sure you have a lid for the sand pit.

We got one for my nieces every year from young 'uns to about aged8-10. Older niece in particular loved it. Would bury herself in it, play hide the toy and someone else digs to find it with you're hot, you're cold instructions, made sandcastles, etc. It was money well spent here. Just remember that the sand bags are heavy! We used to get ours delivered from Argos.

@HildegardNightingale

When we lived in Aussie we had a sandpit and paddling pool. Got loads of use out of both. Make sure you have a lid for the sand pit.

Oh, that's true, otherwise local cats like to poo in it!