Sandpit advice...

**jaesmummy** · 03-08-2012 15:48

My three little guys desperately need a sandpit to play in. Does anyone have one and are there any dramas with keeping it? This won't be one that you can tip over to empty out water or sand. Any advice?

**OJandMe** · 03-08-2012 15:51

I've made one in our yard. I dug out a garden bed, then used mesh weed matting to line the bottom, so that water/rain can seep into the earth, but the sand won't get through.

We've never had any problems what-so-ever... just make sure you have a tarp or something to cover it at night

(To stop local cats from making use of it)

**headoverfeet** · 03-08-2012 15:53

Make sure your grass isn't the invasive type! Mine is basically useless because of this issue I could pull runners out all day and it would be futile

we put good quality weed matting down and it didnt make one ounce of difference. Plus we have ended up with mounds over the lawn because they dump sand and the grass grows through it despite my efforts to scoop it up there is always some left behind

Ps ours is in the middle of the lawn I think built in the middle of paving it would be a different story

**Raising Leprechauns** · 03-08-2012 15:55

the sand gets EVERYWHERE - in all the garden, in the grass, ground in to their hair........ *sigh* pity they love it so much - I'd love to ditch it!

**jaesmummy** · 03-08-2012 16:28

Lol - thanks so much for the tips. One more thing - the sand. Do you use the really soft white sand or the more coarser, browner sand? I thought maybe the really fine white sand might be more likely to stick to bodies and end up inside the house. Do you think it would help to put it as far away from indoors as possible so they have longer for the sand to fall off them? I'm not sure if this would work...

**MsImpatient** · 03-08-2012 17:18

I have no idea about which type of sand to use, but I have heard you can give a light dusting of talcum powder after playing, and the sand will come off alot easier.

**BabushkaMumma** · 03-08-2012 18:43

Weed mat & cover are essential!

We just went to a garden supply store and bought beach sand - cost us $7 or something cheap as. Will cost you heaps more from bunnings!

**Smartiecat** · 03-08-2012 19:03

Dh built a sandpit for the kids ... It is 2 sleepers high with a flat sleeper on top so we can sit on the edge and don't actually have to get in. We always have it covered when the kids arent using it ... We use a tarp because it means all the sandpit toys are protected from the weather ... We have these elastic hoops that help it hook on.
You get washed sand from the local garden supplies or you can get it in bags from bunnings.
The sand WILL be everywhere ... It just vacc up so I don't stress about it funniest is when there is a layer of sand in the bath. During summer I usually have a bucket of water next to back door the kids will wash their hands and feet.

Sandpits are fun!

**Hannahly** · 03-08-2012 19:15

I sprinkle cinnamon in ours to keep bugs/spiders out - seems to work well. When it gets depleted I notice bugs arriving and then I shake and they are gone by morning light.