Sand Boxes

We have a Step 2 sandbox that he kids stand at and play with a lid (my daughter did not like the idea of sitting in the sand). She has had it for 2 years now and plays with it all the time.

we got the step 2 adjustable sand and water table on sale for $50 and it is the perfect size. It has a cover, and also an umbrella for shade. It came with a few sand and water toys. It does not hold much, I bought 50 lbs of sand for $5 ( which is one bag at Toys R Us and is the nice sand) and it has filled it twice...we are having issues with sand not staying in the table! = ) Unfortunately we got ours on special at Aldi's. I would not reccomend ordering one online as shipping and handling is going to be pricey. I have seen a reasonable priced one at Target.

I got mine for $10 on Craigslist 2 years ago it still gets played with every day.

We converted an old garden bed (basically some 4 x 4s arranged in an L shaped pattern) into a sandbox and my kids LOVED it! Sand and water toys/play areas are SO worth the $ and effort. If you or your husband is handy maybe you could create something like that? Since we didn't have a cover we just threw a tarp over it at night and it worked great :)

I like all the step 2 sandboxes, I have one. I'm not sure what price range or how old your little one is, kmart's turtle sandbox is a good size (my 2 1/2 yr old likes it). Or you can get some plywood for the bottom, 4 4x4s, and make a sand box. 100 lb play sand at home depot is like $3.

we have a step 2 naturally playful box (see here: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2336213) that the kids got as a christmas present from my MIL. We've had it 4 years and it is only just now starting to grow a little mildew on top (stays outside all day, every day). The buying of sand to replace the old sand that got used as a litter box bc the kids left the lid off AGAIN is the expensive part....

Just make sure you get one with a lid! Among other things, stray cats can use an open sandbox as their sandbox ... EEW!!

we have had several sandboxes little tykes turtle one, the little tykes sandcastle shaped one. but the best by far was 4 big boards my husband nailed together. and put a pc of plywood on the bottom. filled it with sand and then covered it with another pc of plywood. the kids played in that one for about 10 years. it was about 8 ft wide by 5 ft wide we put boards across the corners for seats and the kids played and played the others were all too small to really play