would you use beach sand in the kids sand pit?

[elliott]

well?

didnt think you were allowed to removed sand/pebbles/shells from beaches these days.

I suspect I might be in a minority here - but yes, I certainly would (and did, in my old place). Certain caveats - sieve it carefully first, and if they are inveterate sandeaters then maybe think twice about it. However, I am very anti antibacterial/overcleanliness regimes anyway, so like I said, maybe I am not typical. As far as I'm concerned the only point in buying sand is if you live too far from a beach to collect some!

No we always buy the bagged up sandpit stuff. How on earth would you transport sand from the beach back home? I think I would feel embarrassed filling a container up and putting it in the car. I'd have to go down at nightime so no one would be around to see me!

Ah, that hadn't occured to me, misdee - we live in a remote part of Scotland, so it's not like nicking it off the beach at Brighton! Good point.

Ok I should add that the deed is done - dh brought home a load (from a fairly unpopulated beach, I'm sure he would have been the only one there!) yesterday. I thought it was a weird idea and had told him not to do it(!) but now its here I'm wondering whether we should use it.

What are your reasons for being unsure, elliot?

Well mostly worries about dog poo I think - though as I said its from a fairly out of the way place. and of course I woudl let him play with it on the beach, so fairly illogical.
Maybe i'm just annoyed with dh for being a cheapskate

Well, maybe I'm not the best person to advise, but I would say that as long as you have checked it over for visual anomalies (for which read dog poo!), then I would go for it. Keep it covered when not in use, though, so that cats/birds don't go in it.

Might as well use it now you have it elliot.

But please don't take any more! I live on the east coast and I know what damage coastal erosion can do - even if it isn't visible at the beach you take the sand from, the damage may be further down the coast.

Well, I'm a haridan and would make him take it back - sorry! As misdee says, you're not allowed to remove sand from beaches these days because of the ecological impact, and I would prefer to abide by that. I buy huge bags of silver sand from builders merchants, it's much more cheap than the stuff you get from toy shops and it's the same stuff.

WWB, are you sure it's the same stuff? I seem to remember reading something akin to a government health warning about builder's sand somewhere, but that could just be the toy shop wanting you to buy theirs.

I wouldn't use beach sand, unless I'd sieved it and boiled it first, which would probably defeat the oject of saving money.

I wouldn't use ordinary builder's sand, but silver sand is OK for sandpits, it's fine, clean, soft stuff.

(Paranoid now in case I'm wrong!)

And I have just written total gobsh*te.

Why would I happily let my dds play on the beach but not use the same sand in their sandpit?

I need to get out more .......

They recommend silver sand here for sandpits.

If you can carry the sand on your own back I don’t see what’s morally wrong it’s plentiful and devoid of virtually all life and non damaging to the eco systems. Understandable that you can fill a dumper truck though . I just filled a reinforced plastic bag from one of the beaches local to me , to bring back and wash, filter and use some for a toddlers sandbox around a ft2 and 1/4ft deep.

Silver sand seems to be the job but if you’re kid likes the sand at the beach 🤷‍♂️ I’m told I used to eat it , before my recall memory kicked in haha

I don’t see what’s morally wrong it’s plentiful and devoid of virtually all life

Ah, the tragedy of the commons, right there.

No you really shouldn't bd taking sand from the beach. Its not hard to imagine "what if everyone did this."

No.
And make sure it’s got a firm lid on it or you’ll find the local cats using it as a toilet.

@Rjmegaman

If you can carry the sand on your own back I don’t see what’s morally wrong it’s plentiful and devoid of virtually all life and non damaging to the eco systems. Understandable that you can fill a dumper truck though . I just filled a reinforced plastic bag from one of the beaches local to me , to bring back and wash, filter and use some for a toddlers sandbox around a ft2 and 1/4ft deep.

It's absolutely not 'non damaging', coastal erosion is a major issue. If it's done it's done, and from a remote beach in Scotland better than Durdle Door... But no, isn't a great idea.

This zombie thread is from 2005 why on earth has it revived?!

Oh zombie 🤦🏼‍♀️.

I want to point out it is illegal though (I doubt you'd get caught but the principle is there.)

It’s illegal in the UK, in any quantity, under the Coastal Protection Act 1949. I had to get permission from Crown Estates for my PhD, then I returned the sand to the beaches it had come from. Snugs is absolutely right about coastal erosion, and the buffering effect that sand and gravel have around the shoreline to protect the land.

@Rjmegaman. what do you base your belief that taking sand from the beach is ok?
its not ok..it does contain life for a start. no wonder this world is fucked