Sandboxes
Sandboxes, or sandpits, are great for encouraging creativity in children. Kids can build sand castles, "ride" trucks that carry sand, or dig holes. They are especially useful if you don't have a beach nearby. Sandboxes come in a variety of sizes and prices. When choosing a sandbox, consider how many children will be playing in it. If it's only one or two children, you can get by with a smaller sandbox. If three or more children will be building sand castles often, then you might want to consider buying a larger sandbox so there aren't any arguments over who gets to use the sandbox first.
Sandboxes can be wooden or made out of plastic. Plastic sandboxes are usually less expensive and are often shaped like an animal or a favorite cartoon character. Wooden sandboxes give children the luxury of sitting on the edge, but plastic sandboxes often provides covers (preventing rain from saturating the sat and animals using the sandbox for a litterbox). The sand in sandboxes eventually gets dirtytoxic for your little ones.
Build Your Own Sandbox
Many people choose to build their own sandboxes. This gives you more creative control (want a storage spot on the sandbox for the lid? No problem!) and can be less expensive in most cases. The first step in building a wooden sandbox is to find the perfect spot, since it will probably stay there for a long time. Sketch out your design and decide on the size of the box. The size will tell you how much lumber and sand to buy. Not good with math? Take the sketch to a local home improvement/lumber store and ask for help. Sandboxes do not need a bottom, but you may want to make one anyway to protect the ground from getting torn up. The bottom can be made out of laminate flooring material, wood, or plastic. When buying lumber, you can have it cut to the appropriate sizes right there at the home improvement store, or, if you happen to be handy with a saw, you can take the lumber home and cut it yourself. Make sure to ask what sorts of nuts and bolts you will need to connect the pieces of wood together.
Sandbox Concerns
Although it may seem ridiculous, things lurking in your child's sandbox can be detrimental to his/her health. Most of these issues are easily fixable if you make sure your sandbox remains clean, but it's important to be aware of some of these sandbox heath concerns before you purchase your new sandbox.
* Damp sand can harbor viruses that can enter through your child's cuts or scrapes while playing in the sand box. According to kidsource.com, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is one virus that easily and often is transmitted through sandbox playtime. Although putting a cover on your sandbox will help to keep it dry and bacteria free, moisture can often build up underneath the lid and in the sand, increasing your risk of bacteria in your sand pit. If you notice this is a problem, consider keeping your kids out of the sand pit until its been dry for about a day. Bacteria won't survive long unless the sand is damp, so this can be a fairly easy problem to avoid.
* Leaves, dirt, insects, mice and town cats will love your sandbox just as much as your child does and, on top of just being gross, these organisms can transmit diseases to your child that you may be unaware of. Again, the cover will help but won't fully solve the problem. Wisegeek.com suggests purchasing a large plastic colander to run through your sand box every once in a while. This can help keep the sand clean and the unwanted pests and critters out of your child's play space.
Money Saving Ideas
* Use a plastic tarp instead of buying a lid.
* Use untreated lumber instead of pressure treated wood. The longevity of your box will decrease, but you will save approximately $50 on lumber.
* Buy building sand (but make sure it's non-toxic and safe!) instead of toy box sand. If you or a friend has a large truck, you can save money by picking it up yourself rather than getting it delivered.
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