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Original poster

Sand pits sand and water tables opinions please

22 replies

MrsApron · 03/08/2006 14:05

Am considering sand pit options for my two year old. Yes I know she is deprived but we have only had a garden for about two months(previously lived in a flat)

So do I get a typical wooden box like thing with a ledge round it or a sand and water table thing like this

Any experience thoughts welcome

OP posts:
BonyM · 03/08/2006 14:09

DD1 had a table thing when she was 2 and it was very popular for several years (it wasn't quite as flash as that one you linked to though!).

We now have an ordinary sand pit for dd2 which is fine as well, but I think I have a slight preference for the table - kids don't get so messy as they can't climb in! (But then I'm a Virgo so perhaps mess matters more to me than it does to others ).

Original poster
MrsApron · 03/08/2006 14:12

also a virgo...and quite fussy about mess. Any idea how much sand is needed to fill a table thing?

Am 36 weeks pregnant and not going out if I can help it so it will all be ordered online.

OP posts:
BonyM · 03/08/2006 14:31

I think one bag is sufficient (play sand comes in standard bags as far as I know).

MrsJohnCusack · 03/08/2006 14:34

have just bought a smaller, less fancy sand/water table for DD (20 months) and she LOVES it
was considering sandpit but just couldn't face the mess. you do get a mess with the one I've got, but she can't climb in. Plus you can just have water in it on really hot days.
bought 1 bag of playsand from homebase and that was loads - have only used a bit. make sure someone puts it near the table for you, weighs a flipping ton

(PS DD has had a garden all her life but this is the first garden toy she's had - got it a week ago)

Original poster
MrsApron · 03/08/2006 14:36

One bag? was it 15kg? like this kind of thing?

link{http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0801508.htm}

Think the play table is winning..

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsApron · 03/08/2006 14:37

gah a botched link how shameful

sand

OP posts:
Tommy · 03/08/2006 14:42

IME the snad and water thingsy always end up with the sand getting into the water scetion and vice versa - always a bit messy.
I would just go for a sand pit and then,on a different day, give her a few bowls of water to play with

MrsJohnCusack · 03/08/2006 14:44

oh yes the whole thing just turns into mush! it is really messy but so far she's managed to cover herself with it too badly

they love it though. Actually the main reason I didn't get a sand pit is I know I'd forget to put the cover on and cats would use it as a loo...

that's about the size MrsA. had to get the young mayaan at homebase to carry it to the car for me

MrsJohnCusack · 03/08/2006 14:44

she's NOT managaed I meant to say

Original poster
MrsApron · 03/08/2006 14:49

hmmm It is the mess of a climbinable sand pit that disturbs me. Sand everywhere and dd running though the house before capture.

Cat loo is a good point local cats have been chased frequently since we moved in but nice sand might be too much of a temptation for them.

maybe a nice young maaan will deliver it!

OP posts:
clairemow · 03/08/2006 14:56

We have a climb in one, and DS loves burying his feet and then wiggling his toes out - can't do that on a table one. I rather like it too, as it's cool. Friends have a table one, and the children spend all their time just emptying the sand out with spades onto the patio or mixing the sand and water together into a horrible sticky slime. Think you get mess either way - but isn't that the point?!
Either way, def get a cover so cats don't go in it...

oliveoil · 03/08/2006 14:59

I have this one and my two love love love it.

BUT it drives me insane as they mix up the water and the sand and make a big slop

and then walk it all over the place

use in the afternoon then STRAIGHT INTO THE BATH if you want to remain sane

oliveoil · 03/08/2006 15:00

in fact dd2 looks very much like the little girl in the pic!

poppyh · 03/08/2006 15:01

My DD has a Berchet sand and water table. She is 3 and a half and has had it for about 18 months. She loves it, it honestly is one of the best things Ive bought her and it was only £25 in ELC and it came with a pack of sand and water toys.

MrsJohnCusack · 03/08/2006 15:03

yes it's mess either way I'm afraid
Or you can just fill both bits of the table with sand and forget about the water....

oliveoil · 03/08/2006 15:05

not in our house

"nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, where da orta mama?"

etc etc with huge blue eyes and a pout

BonyM · 03/08/2006 15:12

Oh - should have said - don't think I ever put any water in the table - just filled both sides with sand. Much less messy!

BonyM · 03/08/2006 15:13

As MrsJohnCusack said...

(Really should read before I post).

CheesyFeet · 03/08/2006 15:21

DD (2.1) was given one of these for her birthday and it's absolutely fab. Yes the sand goes in the water etc etc but that's half the fun. It came with loads of spouts and things you can put together to make a water run. It has a cover with a car track so you can use it to drive cars round or even just use it as an outdoor table. DD's dollies have frequent tea parties around it

CheesyFeet · 03/08/2006 15:23

Ooooh just read the thread back and love the idea of two lots of sand! Why do these simple things escape me??? DD has a paddling pool for splashing about in. It's generally used for a pre-bath sluice as well.

Original poster
MrsApron · 03/08/2006 16:50

many many good tips ladies!

I think it will be the table one for now as dh is claiming he is going to build dd a sandpit. This is DH who has only owned a drill for 4 weeks and has never sawed wood before. Hmmmm.

OP posts:
poppyh · 03/08/2006 19:05

we only put sand in too. And it lives outside!!

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