Sand Pits & Sand Toys

What is the purpose of a sand pit?

A sand pit is a fantastic opportunity for imaginative play! It can be a mini adventure park that helps kids explore new textures, build their own creations, and have messy, creative fun. It provides a safe environment where they can express themselves, giving them hours of playtime.

What age is appropriate for sand pits?

Most little adventurers can start having fun in sand pits from around 12-18 months, once they can sit up by themselves and have developed basic hand-eye coordination. Remember that supervision is vital when kids use sand pits, so always ensure you or another adult is around to join the fun!

How does a sand pit help a child's development?

Sand pits can help a child's development in many ways. Exciting sand games and toys can help them develop sensory skills as they experience the different textures that sand can offer - wet, dry, cool and warm. Interacting with the sand using sand toys can develop their fine motor skills as they mould, dig and scoop together their fun creations. It also helps build their creativity and social skills, as kids can share their favourite sand toys to play together.

Where is the best place to put a sand pit?

It's important to place a sand pit where you can keep an eye on the little rascals! Ideally, it would be in an area of the garden that gets some natural shade so your kid can be shielded during the hottest parts of the day. Placement-wise, it's more convenient to see the sand pit from a window or patio, and you should also ensure that you pick an open, flat area to place the sand pit. If you're unsure if you can fit a sand pit in your available outdoor space, measure your garden first.

What sand to use for a children's sand pit?

We recommend always using play sand when filling a sand pit for kids. This sand has been washed, graded, and is non-toxic, making it safe for little ones to play in. Sharp sand and quality building sand can be too coarse and contain impurities, making them unsuitable for children. Always go with products sold as play sand when looking for kids' sand.

How much sand to fill a sand pit, and how deep should it be?

The depth of a kid's sand pit should partly depend on the child’s age. Older kids can play in sand pits that are a little deeper. We recommend aiming for around 15-30cm (6-12 inches) for depth. To calculate how much kids' sand you'll need, measure the length, width (or diameter if round) and desired depth of your sand pit in metres. Multiply these to get the volume of sand you will need in cubic meters.

How do you maintain a sand pit?

With a kids' sand pit, we recommend regularly raking it to remove leaves, twigs and any unwanted debris. Occasionally, you may also want to sift through the sand and check it to make sure it is still clean and usable. Given that kids' sand will get on or in your child's clothes, it can gradually disappear after playtime, so make sure you top your sand pit up. This advice is also helpful for a plastic sand pit, as they are similar, just smaller, and easier to manage.

Does a sand pit need to be covered?

Absolutely. Our sand pits come with a protective cover, which is vital to keep out rain and any unwanted debris. You want to ensure that your kids' sand pit is clean and safe to use before every playtime, and keeping the sand pit covered can provide this.

Does a sand pit need drainage?

Sand pits must have drainage, as excess rain can lead to your kids' sand pit becoming waterlogged. Good drainage prevents the sand from becoming stagnant, which could lead to the entire sand pit, including any sand toys, being covered in bacteria. Our sand pits come with groundsheets that allow water to drain out of the sand pit, stopping the play area from becoming a soggy mess.

If you are interested in indoor sand toys, check out our sand modelling and Kinetic Sand products. For more outdoor fun, check out our sand and water tables and our outdoor toys range.