How to Select a Sandbox

Sandboxes are a fun outdoor toy for kids to play in, year round if you're lucky. There are many colors, sizes and themes on the market. Know what you're looking for before you go shopping and you'll end up with a great sandbox!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Sand
• Yard
• Garden hose
• Sandbox
• Sandbox toys

Select the Ideal Sandbox

1. Know the size you need. Sandboxes are available in small sizes that one to two kids can occupy or you can buy large sizes, ideal for gatherings like birthday parties.
2. Opt for a sandbox with seating. Typically, you can find sandboxes that have built-in seating so kids don't have to actually sit in the sand to play.
3. Select a sandbox that doubles as a pool. These sandboxes come with drains at the bottom so that water can be emptied efficiently. Kids love the dual purpose fun and you get a toy that pulls double duty!
4. Look at sandboxes with "no assembly required." These can fit nicely into the back of a van or SUV, and even some larger sedans.
5. Find a sandbox that is sold with a cover. That way you can protect the sand from rain and keep kids out of the sandbox when you need to.
6. Try to find a sandbox with a dome-shaped cover. This will allow you to store all sandbox toys inside the sandbox, even with the cover in place.

Prepare the Sandbox for Use

7. Visit a hardware store to select sand for the sandbox.
8. Decide where to place it. Sandboxes are ideal for fenced backyards, however, you probably want to avoid placing it on grass, as it will kill the grass.
9. Clean the sandbox thoroughly using a garden hose. Be sure to dry it thoroughly before placing sand inside.
10. Buy beach toys for the sandbox. Shovels, buckets and rakes add so much more fun to a child's sandbox experience. Choose plastic toys so they are lightweight.
11. Host a play date with other neighborhood kids. Just for laughs, have an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for your child's new sandbox!
12. Have a plan. Sandboxes are messy, so get your kids to enjoy using their sandbox toys as they help you clean up!
13. Turn on a lawn sprinkler when the kids are finished playing. They'll have a blast playing in the water and you can stealthily remove all of the sand from their bodies before they re-enter the house.

Tips & Warnings

• Most sandboxes are constructed of plastic.
• Remember to apply sunscreen to your kids when they are using the sandbox.
• Always supervise young children playing in a sandbox.
• Once you put sand in the sandbox, it becomes very heavy. Decide where to put it and know that it will likely remain there due to the struggle of moving it around while sand is inside.

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