What Kind of Sand to Get for Sandbox?

Updated on January 28, 2018
K.T. asks from Saint Paul, MN
15 answers

I just picked up a free turtle sandbox a couple of days ago, and I know I've heard about some sands being unsafe, so I'm wondering what is the best kind of sand to get and how much I should expect to spend? Thanks

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S.B.

answers from Topeka on

You have some very good ideas. I agree going with Home Depot or any store that sells "sandbox sand". Please keep it covered. The biggest thing you need to worry about is some animal getting in it and using the restroom.

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J.S.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I received a free turtle sandbox as well recently and found this great article on how much sand is needed for a green turtle sandbox https://www.jurassicsand.com/blogs/news/117418245-how-muc.... As for choosing a playsand I ordered from Jurassic Sand and I have had the sand for over 5 years now and still is as vibrant and soft as the day I bought it. I would check out their series on how to pick a good playsand here https://www.jurassicsand.com/pages/how-to-choose-the-best...

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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

Lowe's and Home Depot both sell the safe sand playground sand. I used to look for it in the gardening and playset areas, but it's ALLLLLLL the way over in the building materials area with the concrete mix! However, the packaging clearly states that it's playground sand! You can buy 50lb bags or enormous bags depending on what size area you need to fill.

I'm not sure why it's a nightmare situation for anyone. We live in an extremely humid and hot area, and we never have any bug issues. Keep it covered when not in use. I can't imagine what rice would do outside in our area -clumps of nasty mold!

C.M.

answers from St. Louis on

My daughter loves her sandbox (she's 2.5). She like it last summer as well. I have a crab one (I think similar in size/shape to the turtle one) and think I bought like 20 bags of sand from Wal-Mart but only needed 1/2!!

I suggest only filling it 1/2 of the way.

We had to dump ours after the winter because all the snow that was on top of it melted and ended up soaking the sand and it had molded leaves in it too even though we had the top on it all winter!!!

There is colored sand (made by Crayola) but I heard it transfers to the skin!

I've never had troubles with sand fleas either. I actually didn't plan on putting sand back into the box after we emptied it (instead using it for water) but my daughter now just pours the sand INTO the water. Well, whatever works, right?

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C.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

I have always gone to Toys R Us and bought their sand. I think it was a little more expensive, but well worth the price! It is nice and fine, not pebbly and more clean and not as dusty.

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T.N.

answers from Minneapolis on

Get the traditional bagged brown sand. You can get it at any hardware store. The white stuff is IMPOSSIBLE to get off your skin, hair and it just gets everywhere. The brown sand is still great for sandboxes. You won't be disappointed.

M.L.

answers from Hartford on

Toys R Us has some and Wal- Mart. Wal-Mart one year was salty feeling. I would say from $3-$5 a bag. You are probaby going to need a few, depends on size og sand box. I think turtle one is pretty large.

M.

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C.M.

answers from Myrtle Beach on

I would agree with Holly... I would never by my daughter one, bc I was scared of sand fleas, and the mess it would make, but rice makes for a great idea... however keep the birds away from the rice, that is dangerous to them! :-) Have fun!!!

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D.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

We have a sandbox (got it last summer when our kids were 1 and 3 years old) - I haven't had any concerns or issues with sand fleas. Our kids only play in it occasionally and get hosed down as soon as they're finished before coming in the house.

Quick Crete, Crayola, etc. make sandbox sand. You can get it at Walmart, Lowes, etc. It's usually in the outdoor area with the mulch, stones, etc.

Good luck and have fun!

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L.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

We buy "play sand" at Fleet Farm (about $3-4 for a 50# bag I think) - you pick up a slip by the concrete stuff and then have to go pick it up, but they will help you load it. We have a Turtle sand box and we buy about 4-5 bags every year - only because the kids tend to not keep it in the sand box! :-) We've never had issues with sand fleas or anything like that - just keep it covered to keep the animals out! we have had bugs and spiders in it, but nothing harmful - just annoying.

H.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

In a word, NIGHTMARE! The best tip I've ever been given is to skip the sand, and go with rice!!! Much cleaner, and the kids still love it!

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B.R.

answers from Milwaukee on

The tru sand is much nicer than the sandbox sand. The cheap stuff is loaded with rocks.

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S.T.

answers from Kansas City on

play sand it's at lowes or home depot

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J.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

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C.C.

answers from Dallas on

Hi K.,

My son, now eight has had a sand box since he was about one and is still playing in it "occasionally". We get the "sandbox" sand from Home Depot and change it out periodically. Not so much these day's since he is much older. We have never had any problems other than he forgot to put the lid back on the sand box one day and a neighborhood cat decided to poop in there! :( I have never heard of using rice bofore but that's a great idea!

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