In this guide we’ll take a look at the best toddler sandpits for the UK market.
I’ve compared design, features, build quality and cost
to give you my top recommendations.
What Is The Best Kids Sandpit?
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More Detailed Kids Sandpit Reviews
Little Tikes Turtle Kids Sandpit
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Little Tikes Turtle Kids Sandpit Review
This classic Little Tikes Turtle Kids Sandpit is still one of the best around. It is colourful and fun without being an eyesore in the garden. The turtle shell provides a lid to keep the sand clean and dry when not in use and the turtle flippers provide two little seats for children to sit on while playing.
The turtle sandpit is a good size, holding 68kg of sand, and provides a lot of area in which to build and play. It also reasonable easy to move around, though quite heavy when filled, so you can move it to the shade if necessary.
This versatile sand pit for toddlers can also be used as a ball pool or filled with water for fun water play on hot, sunny days. It will even work as a pond, so you can watch the little ones discover wildlife or raise tadpoles.
This is a great value, durable classic kids sand pit that offers huge versatility. It’s an old favourite that your kids are sure to love and it will provide hours of entertainment. For the money it’s the best sandpit for toddlers!
KidKraft Pirate Boat Kids Sandpit
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KidKraft Pirate Boat Kids Sandpit Review
This KidKraft Pirate Boat Kids Sandpit is an imaginative structure that will provide hours of entertainment for little pirates. This sand pit for toddlers provides plenty of play opportunities even without the sand! It is suitable for several children to play in at once and includes a sunshade to protect delicate skin from the sun.
The wooden structure is a really unique and fun deign and is very well made. The set includes a clear plastic liner that goes underneath the sand keeping it in place and helping to prevent insects and animals from getting in.
There are also a couple of storage compartments which are handy to keep plenty of sand toys ready for play. It also features a steering wheel, seat and of course, a pirate flag. It comes with a net cover to protect the sand from animals when not in use.
The boat is relatively easy to construct, though it might take a while. This is a very imaginatively designed sandpit that will provide lots of play opportunities for a wide age range of children. It’s the best sandpit for toddlers with big imaginations!
Colourful Kids Sandpit With Sunshade
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Colourful Kids Sandpit With Sunshade Review
This Colourful Kids Sandpit With Sunshade comes with two bench seats and a sunshade making it a comfortable, multipurpose item for the garden. The seats and canopy fold down over the sandpit to protect the sand and keep it dry when not in use.
This sand pit for toddlers is built from durable wood that has been protected with colourful red, yellow, green and blue stains for years of use. The cheery blue striped canopy gives this product a nice beachside feel. It also comes with a ground sheet to keep the sand protected from underneath.
This kids sandpit is a little tricky to put together but comes with all fixings and predrilled holes for screws. You could put a table in the middle and use this as a picnic area for kids if you wanted. It could also be used with other toys to provide a shady place to play in sunny weather.
The only criticism I could make is that the bottom of the sand box is not built in. This makes it difficult to move the sand pit around.
This is a sturdy and useful sandbox that is made with a design that kids will enjoy. I really like the large sunshade which will keep kids protected from the sun. The clever design means the whole thing packs down quite small and the sand is protected from animals and kept dry. It’s the best sandpit for versatile play!
Hexagonal Wooden Kids Sandpit
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Hexagonal Wooden Kids Sandpit Review
This Hexagonal Wooden Kids Sandpit is very attractive with a hexagonal design made of nice smooth wood. There is also a lede around the top to make it comfortable to sit on. It is supplied with a weatherproof cover to keep the sand clean and has a geo-textile base sheet to prevent weeds and creepy crawlies getting into the sand, while at the same time allowing drainage.
The weatherproof cover is a little flimsy, but you can buy a wooden lid for this sandpit as an additional extra.
This sand pit is made from good quality sustainable wood that is treated with child and pet safe preservatives. It easily slots together and holds around 30kg of sand.
This is a simple yet attractive sand pit for toddlers that provides good value and durability.
Kids Table Sandpit
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Kids Table Sandpit Review
This Kids Table Sandpit is perfect for toddlers and small children being at the perfect height for them to play. It is made of sturdy plastic and has a lid that is secured with elastic ties to keep the sand dry and clean. The lid also features a moulded roadway for extra play value.
The set includes 2 shovels, a pot and a scoop so you just need to add sand for hours of fun. You can also use the table for water play. The table holds 18.2 kg of sand
The table is easy to keep clean and less messy than a traditional sandpit as children don’t get so much sand on their clothes while playing. You could even use it indoors.
This is a good quality sand pit for toddlers that offers a versatile range of fun play activities. If you are looking for something compact and versatile for your garden this might be the best sandpit for you.
Picnic Table And Kids Sandpit
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Picnic Table And Kids Sandpit Review
This cleverly designed Picnic Table And Kids Sandpit features two trays in which you can put sand and/or water. The lid covers the trays turning this into a picnic table that would also be suitable for many play activities. In fact, this would also make wonderful art and crafts table with room to store painting and drawing supplies in the trays.
The picnic bench provides seating for up to four children of up to about six years old. It makes a nice feature in the garden and can be painted or stained to a colour of your choice.
This sand pit for toddlers is constructed from FSC approved timber and the trays are made from thick, durable plastic. It’s a little tricky to put together but the instructions are okay, and the fittings were bagged and labelled to prevent mix ups. Once constructed it looks nice and seems durable. It is really only suitable for preschool children though.
This is a lovely sand pit for toddlers that offers a beautiful and practical addition to the garden or a children’s play area. It’s great value considering the versatility of the design.
Things to Know Before Buying a Kid’s Sandpit
A garden sandpit is the next best thing to a day at the beach. Children love them, and it allows them to get a bit messy, be creative and practice their motor skills and coordination. It’s a great sensory play experience, too. Playing in a sandpit with a friend is also a great way to learn social skills, including how to share and cooperate with others.
There’s a huge range of sandpits on the market, suitable for a range of garden sizes and ages of kids. If you’re considering purchase a kid’s sandpit, the following tips should help you to make an informed decision.
Benefits of a Kid’s Sandpit
Sandpits offer a range of benefits for kids. As mentioned above, if they play with others, your child can develop valuable social skills and imagination. Sandpits allow them to get creative and messy, in an adult-free space! There’s no need for you to worry about tidying up after your child has finished playing.
Sandpits offer a great sensory play experience, encouraging your child to be mindful. They can improve motor skills and coordination, plus they’ll occupy your child for hours!
Choosing the Best Design
You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to the design of your sandpit. Small sand tables can be used both indoors and out. Large sandpits may be themed, and they also might come with other activities for your child to enjoy.
A ground level sandpit is great if your child loves sitting in the sand – they will get to enjoy the feeling of the sand between their toes! However, this does mean they end up covered! A sand table is a less messy alternative, but your child is unlikely to play with it for so long at a time.
The best sandpits are versatile and offer opportunities for other kinds of play. For a double duty sand pit, you could choose a bench type, or a one with a theme to encourage imaginative play. Some sand tables have a section for water, too and this is a great option – though it can get messy.
The Best Size for your Child
The size of the sandpit you go for will be dictated by how much space you have in your garden. Sandpits are generally easy to fit into small corners of the garden, but I still recommend measuring how much space you have available.
If you have more than one child, a larger sandpit will give them more room to play, especially if they like to sit in the sand.
Large sandpits can be very heavy once filled, so it’s not practical to move them around. I recommend choosing your location carefully before you fill it up. Ideally, you want a shady spot where you can easily keep an eye on the little ones and that is close to a water source, so you can sprinkle the sand with water when it gets too dusty.
Waterproofing and Durability
If you plan on leaving your sandpit outside year round, then ensure it has a good waterproof cover to protect the sand from getting waterlogged and mouldy. Smaller sandpits can be cleaned out and packed away over winter.
Your sandpit should last your child a good few years, but you will need to change the sand at least every year.
Children often love to play in sand for hours at a time, so it is important you make sure they are protected from the sun. You can either choose a sand pit that is portable enough to move around or buy one with a shade canopy. Some shade canopies have a UV protection rating which is excellent. But bear in mind you will still need to keep an eye on little ones and adjust the canopy as the sun moves around the garden.
Selecting the Best Material
Sandpits for kids are usually available in either wooden or plastic designs. Wooden sandpits are more pleasing to the adult eye, but plastic models are usually more colourful and exciting for kids! For ease of set up, a plastic sandpit is generally a better option. They are also more affordable and easier to clean.
Included Accessories
Some sandpits come with accessories included, such as buckets, spades, storage compartments and accessories related to the theme of the sandpit. Ship-themed sandpits may come with a steering wheel or sail.
FAQs
What kind of sand should I buy to fill my sandpit? Is it worth paying extra for play sand?
Most DIY shops and large toy shops sell special play sand, and this is the best choice. It is often cheaper to buy it in bulk. You should never use builder’s sand as it can contain additives and preservatives that could be dangerous for your child’s health. In addition, builders’ sand can stain clothes. You can use also use kiln dried sand, but this is quite fine so doesn’t make the best sandcastles!
What age are sandpits for?
Sandpits are great fun but they shouldn’t be given to very young children. I don’t recommend buying a sandpit for a child under 1 year old.
How do I maintain my child’s sandpit?
I recommend changing the sand in your sandpit at least once a year, but you should ensure the sandpit is kept clean. Sift through your sand at least once a week to remove debris and foreign objects.
If it’s not regularly washed by rainwater, I recommend washing the sand with tap water, leaving it to dry naturally before covering it. Keep it covered when not in use.
Does a sandpit need drainage?
Yes, your sandpit does need drainage. The sandpit needs to drain naturally to prevent it from becoming waterlogged in rainy weather. I also highly recommend keeping it covered when not in use.
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