my landscape designer/contractor recommended construction sand for our sand box. I went to feel and get a sample at a builders supply. I remain unconvinced. I still feel it had a lot of fine dust in it, though the course parts did brush off easily. What kind of sand did you put in your kids' sand box and does it stick to them? Do you regret or recommend your choice of sand? thx.
(and yes its a small covered plastic sand box, set on top of a decomposed granite pathway. So not to worried about the mess in the yard, just don't want to drag is in, and since posting this I read construction sand is quite abrasive on skin, so not going to go that way, though no doubt it could save some money)
I just went to Home Depot and asked them what kind of sand for a sandbox. Can't remember exactly what it was called but it was super cheap, basically the price of regular soil. Worked great for us!
Um..you can get 50 lbs of play sand for under $10.
Go to Toys R us and get plsy sand. Very inexpensive.
I just bought a few bags of play sand from Walmart. It's sand, so of course it stuck to her skin a bit... But it usually brushed off pretty well. I was pretty happy with it, and my daughter certainly loved it.
You can also dust Kiddo with baby powder before getting in to play, and it will help keep so much from sticking to skin. Then just keep a hand broom nearby to brush off the clothes, and you shouldn't have too much of an issue.
Play sand. unless it gets wet or thrown , it should not be too bad. A friend that has a sandbox keeps a soft brush by their back door that the kids use to get any sand off--and baby powder if it just does not want to come off.
We just went to the hardware store and bought a 50 lb bag of play sand. I'm pretty sure that was what it was actually called. It was pretty cheap and one bag was enough for our small, covered sandbox.
As for tracking sand... when the child comes out of the sand box, sprinkle baby powder on their feet, legs, hands,etc.The sand brushes right off. I've heard cornstarch works, too, but I haven't tried it. Our kids never wore shoes in the sandbox, so going in barefoot is your best bet.
We got sandbox sand in bags at Home Depot (specifically sold for sandboxes). Worked fine. I have no problems with the sand or dust.
We have MASON sand. I have no idea if or how it's different from construction sand. Our sandbox is nicknamed the "Bunker" because it's a homemade gigantic beast, 6x11 ft. We had to have the sand delivered by a topsoil/sand company. But, we LOVE it! Smooth and nice and rather beachy. Plus it packs well.
We also have a snug-fitting cover my Dad made out of sailing fabric. It keeps cats and leaves and junk out, but lets air in so the box/sand breathe. You most definitely need a cover!
Play sand - hardware store or Toys R Us.
It really doesn't matter. Sand sticks to people. Shoes get full of sand. Cats and other animals will try and find a way to use it for a giant kitty litter box, and you will have sand everywhere in your house.
I suggest you have a mat that has little pokey things, it's black rubber(?) and this will help get the sand off shoes. But it will be super hot on bare feet in hot weather so that might not work in California.
In my child care center we took shoes off on the steps and the kids turned their shoes upside down and shook them. Then they put them back on.
