Sandpits

[Belle]

Just want to canvas opinion/experience on sandpits for the garden...I really like the look of the more fixed, wooden type (although not so keen on the bit where I have to put it together) - but they're quite expensive and thus if my little boy isn't wildly keen it's an expensive mistake. The plastic type are cheaper with built in lid etc but seem quite small? anyone have any views?

My mum claims both me and my brother played in one our dad built for us come rain or shine, so am thinking it could be a good investment - my son likes any kind of messy play basically.

[Fuschia]

WE have a ladybird one with lid. I must say ours don't tend to get in it, it is a bit small. Sand in a sand table is quite a good option. Don't get sand and water table (whose bright idea was that?!) as it ends up as mud. Sand does get thrown everywhere anyway!

[lillyanginger]

Belle,

we used to have a bigger wooden one and it was a huge hit for child no 2 who still really likes digging (not in the sandpit anymore, age 9). Child one was not really that interested...

If he/she like digging...the bigger the better I feel.

[pebbles]

We've got the sand table from John Lewis where you can put the lid on and then it's like a picnic bench for children. It's the best thing we have for the garden. Seb and his friends play in there continually and although probably not in the rain he does play with it during the winter as well. I love the fact that it's a picnic table as well cos he eats out there in teh summer as well which he thinks is a real treat. It is expensive but worth every penny and will last forever i think. Also looks nice in the garden which was quite important to me.

[nozchik]

My sister bought one for her kids from b&q, pub bench tipe thing looks very good in her garden and all our kids love it.

[kristymac1]

Hi, we bought this one Forst Sandpit John Lewis and its great - we only have a small garden but it fits really nicely and because there are seats to the side its not unusual for 4 kids to be playing all at the same time (also means you can take a pew with a cuppa, and dip your feet too!) We actually pack it away each winter - mostly because the cover just gets waterlogged and isn't 'animal-proof', I guess that part is a bit of a pain, but you could always get a big sheet of hardboard or similar to lie over the waterproof cover for the winter.