Few things keep little hands busy like a sandpit. Digging, pouring and building teach toddlers how materials behave, strengthen small hands and give them somewhere to play side by side with you. Getting the sand right makes all the difference: buy too little and there's nothing to dig, pick the wrong kind and you'll be fighting stains, dust and soggy clumps.
Here's how much sand you need, which sand to buy and how to keep it clean, covered and pet-free.
Key takeaways
- Fill to just below the rim. For The Beach Shack, that's 12 × 20 kg bags of washed play sand.
- Buy sand sold as washed play sand or sandpit sand. Skip builder's sand and beach sand.
- Cover the sandpit whenever it isn't in use. It's the best way to keep pets and debris out.
- Rake, air and top up the sand regularly, and replace it when it gets dirty.
How much sand do you need?
Start with your sandpit's volume, then fill to just below the rim. That leaves room to dig and keeps sand inside the sandpit when someone jumps in.
For The Beach Shack, the sandpit in Growplay Junior, the answer is simple. It's 200 mm deep and holds 200 litres, and the recommended fill is 12 × 20 kg bags of washed play sand. Sand isn't included, so pick it up from a hardware or landscape supplier before your set arrives.
For any other sandpit, check the maker's recommended fill first. If there isn't one:
- Measure the inside length, width and depth in metres.
- Multiply them together to get the volume in cubic metres.
- Ask your supplier how many bags that is for the sand you're buying, and allow a little extra for topping up.
Sand is heavy, so 20 kg bags are much easier to carry, pour and store than a bulk delivery.
Which sand should you use?
Buy sand sold as washed play sand or sandpit sand. It has been washed and screened for children's play, so it's cleaner and softer than general-purpose sand.
| Sand | Use it? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Washed play sand | Yes | Clean, fine and soft. Holds a shape when damp and brushes off skin and clothes. |
| Builder's or brickie's sand | No | Often contains clay that stains clothes and sets hard when wet. |
| Beach sand | No | Can carry salt, shells and whatever the tide brings in. |
When the bags arrive, tip the sand in slowly outdoors to keep any dust down, then rake it level.
Keep it covered between plays
A cover is the single best thing you can do for your sand. It keeps out leaves, rain and debris, and it stops neighbourhood cats from treating the sandpit as a litter tray.
The Beach Shack comes with a weighted cover that sits over the sandpit when play is finished. Flip it over and it becomes a road-map play mat, so putting the cover on is part of the game rather than a chore. Underneath, the geomesh floor lets rain drain away, so the sand dries out instead of staying soggy.
How to keep pets out of the sandpit
- Cover it every time, including overnight. Cats and dogs are most likely to visit when the yard is quiet.
- Check before play and remove anything that shouldn't be there.
- If a pet has been in, scoop out the affected sand generously and replace it with fresh sand.
Looking after the sand
- Rake it regularly to turn it over, let it air and bring buried toys to the surface.
- Let it dry in the sun after rain, with the cover off for a few hours, then cover it again before evening.
- Top it up as sand gets carried away on feet and toys. A bag or two now and then keeps it at the right level.
- Replace it when it's dirty, smells or stays damp. Fresh sand is cheap, and kids notice the difference.
Sandpit play ideas
- Fossil dig: bury a few toy dinosaurs and give them a paintbrush to uncover them.
- Castles and moats: damp sand holds its shape best, so keep a watering can nearby.
- Road trip: flip the cover to the road-map side and drive toy cars between the sand and the mat.
- Garden helpers: The Beach Shack's grow wall has two self-watering hanging pots for herbs or flowers they can water themselves.
Put the toys away too
Buckets and spades left in the sand collect water and get buried. The Beach Shack's Toy Box has a removable lid and a self-draining floor, so toys go away wet and come out dry. The lid is rated to 100 kg, so it doubles as a seat for you.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of sand do I need for The Beach Shack?
12 × 20 kg bags of washed play sand. The sandpit is 200 mm deep and holds 200 litres. Sand isn't included.
Can I use beach sand in a kids sandpit?
It's best not to. Beach sand can contain salt, shells and debris. Washed play sand is cleaner, softer and made for children's play.
How often should I change sandpit sand?
There's no fixed schedule. Rake and top it up regularly, and replace it whenever it's dirty, smells, stays damp or a pet has been in it.
How do I stop cats using the sandpit?
Keep it covered whenever it isn't being used, including overnight. The Beach Shack's weighted cover is designed to sit over the sand between plays.
Explore The Beach Shack, or see every Growplay Junior set with a sandpit.
