How to pick the perfect sandbox

We asked our members and fans - what's a "must have" summer toy? The most popular answer? SAND!! Our momstown kids love sand, love getting dirty and love building and creating. momstown’s  upcoming June educational  theme is “Construction”  which fits with sand play as a perfect place to build and dump!!

Debating what kind of sandbox to add to your backyard? First, consider the age of your child and how they like to play. You need to decide between a stand up table or a sit-down box.

A stand up sandbox is perfect for babies and toddlers to explore, push small toys around, practise with shovels and learn to scoop. Tables are the ideal toddler level and get – and keep - their attention easily. It’s also great for kids (or parents!) who may not like to get too dirty or mucky. If your child has sensory issues (my son hated anything getting in his sandals) go for a sand table versus a a big sandbox.

Our backyard has the Little Tikes Endless Adventures Sand Water Play Table and it's been the host of many momstown playdates! Our family has played with it now for 4 years and it’s still going strong. Being the combo sand & water unit, it’s a mud table if we add any water, so we usually have just sand on both sides.

A sit down sandbox is fun for (older) children who really want to dig, have room to push big dumptrucks around and need more control over their space. Backyard space needs to be a larger than what’s needed for a sand table and permanent as sandboxes are super heavy to move. 

I love the imagination that comes with the KidKraft Pirate Sandbox.  There’s storage  to tuck away all the toys, has a nice canopy and it’s a Pirate Ship! Super fun!

The Turtle Sandbox by Little Tikes is the classic plastic sandbox, easy to move around or dump at the end of the season and comes with a lid.  We have this basic Turtle model at our house and now it comes in a Crab and Hippo designs too. No assembly makes this one quick to play in.

For ambitious parents who really want to whack a sandbox together but don’t know where to start – the KidKraft Backyard Sandbox is perfect. Retro and simple, comes with a cover and just needs sand and a happy flat spot in your backyard.  It needs to be assembled so you will build it, just don’t need to plan it!

Check your flyers this weekend as I noticed sandboxes on sale at many major retailers this weekend! Don’t forget to pick up new sand this weekend too to refresh your old sandbox. Any kind of sandbox is guaranteed hours of fun  and learning. Just get used to dumping out shoes before you come in the house!