A sandpit can be a simple yet highly rewarding addition to your garden, providing your children with a dedicated and safe space for creative play. To make sure that you have all you need to make a sandpit that not only works for your children and garden but also stands the test of time, here are 5 key tips to help you get started.

1. Location, location, location! 

Whilst it might sound obvious, choosing the best location is a vital first step. Ideally, you need to make sure that it’s at least somewhat shaded both to protect your children in the summer sun, but also any cover will help prevent oversaturation of the sand during rain. With this in mind, the sandpit also needs to be constructed in a way where drainage will be easy. 

2. Choosing the Right Sand 

This goes for whether you’re building your own or buying a premade option. Choosing the right sand might be harder than you think, as not any old sand will be suitable. Most sand used in construction, especially sharp sand, is hard and coarse and can cause skin irritation and abrasions. Specialised play sand is the only safe option, as the sand is washed and graded specifically with play in mind, the washing ensures the sand is hygienic and free of any contaminants whilst the grading will soften the sand and make it more suitable for play. There are other, softer sands but these will cause staining on clothes

3. Build or Buy? 

There are many options if you want to buy a sandpit, but you can also build your own, timber is ideal for this job as it can be made safe and weather resistant easily. If you choose to build your own, firstly make sure that the construction is sturdy, also make sure that any hard edges are smoothed off for safety, lastly make sure that a weather treatment is applied. In addition to this, you’ll need to make sure that you have a water permeable membrane lining the bottom, to enable drainage of any rainwater. Also consider constructing a lid, either fully removeable or hinged.  

One of the most overlooked aspects of a sandpit is setting the right size and depth. A smaller sandpit may work well for toddlers or compact gardens but would be too small for older children, and children have a habit of growing whenever you aren’t looking! Larger designs give children more room to dig, build and play creatively and will be better long-term, but obviously can be limited by overall garden size. Depth matters too; too shallow and the sand will quickly be displaced and can risk injury. However, making the sandpit too deep will significantly increase the amount of sand required whilst also requiring raising the walls of the sandpit which will complicate construction. This goes for whether you will be building your own sandpit or buying a premade one.  

Closing Thoughts

Creating a dedicated sandpit and play area isn’t a huge investment, but there are crucial things to be aware of and consider prior to getting started to make sure that the sandpit stands the test of time and really helps your kids maximise their playtime with it. Ensuring the right materials and construction is the first essential step, but aiding play with buckets and spades, shape moulds and other relevant toys.