The Toy Finder

Sand equipment ranges are now fairly comprehensive and they span a broad range of price brackets, so before the first truly warm and dry day of spring arrives, it’s worth considering what a child really needs from a sandpit, before committing the funds.

Families with lots of garden space might decide to stump up the funds for a timber picnic table style of sand equipment. However, a family with an only child or one where the youngest child is approaching the waning of the sandpit years may not find expensive picnic table sand equipment cost-effective.

Other drawbacks may overshadow the ‘lasting appeal’ tick box of picnic table sand equipment too. When considering the play interest of sand toys, it is worth remembering that these short years fly by! Toddlers may be unable to access picnic table sandpits safely, alone, until they are older – and after all it is the toddler years when sand is at its most fun and messy!

Picnic table sand equipment may be unsuitable and unsafe for toddlers as the littlest ones may need to be lifted onto the benches in order to reach the sandpit in the middle. Their reach might not be adequate for accessing the sand safely from a sitting position thus tempting them to stand or, worse, totter on the seats. From here it is all too likely that clambering around the sand table might prove a more exciting diversion for little pirates than learning about the pouring properties of sand. ‘Shiver-me-timbers’ role-play could take on a whole new meaning - not a good idea bearing in mind the gaps between bench, table and sand box!

Some of these timber sand tables are marketed with so-called added attractions, such as a dual-purpose functionality. However, when families really analyse the functions they require, they might decide that, in reality, lifting a grimy sand box (leaves, lolly sticks and all) out of the equipment in order to use it as a picnic table is not really that practical. Who wants to do that every time they want to set out the tea-things?

These drawbacks – not to mention the hefty price tag and the self-assembly – might encourage families towards a cheaper, simpler option – one which may actually better suit the needs of children. That has to be good news for the family purse.

Budget ground-level sandpits can offer safe, perfectly adequate provision for one or two toddlers. If all they want is some clean soft sand, a few educational sand toys and a bucket for building sandcastles there are lots of inexpensive plastic sandpits on the market. A little forward thinking might be in order however, when making all-important colourway choices. A pink plastic sandpit might be sweet for a little mermaid, but not quite so appealing two years later when a pirate brother arrives!

Low level sand tables are also great, although they are a little more expensive. Designed to provide the optimum height for preschoolers to work at, a sand table can provide several friends with enough space to move freely around the sand, and with enough working space to make good use of several educational sand toys at once. Again, they can also be multi-functional – some can double as water play tables. The problem remains however, of removing and storing the sand in the meantime. Others have dividers so that water and sand can be used side by side.

A compromise might provide the best value of all –perhaps a sand play table with removable legs? These can be used at ground level by toddlers, and then raised with the addition of the legs when children reach pre-school age.

Just make sure the legs are sturdy enough to withstand buckling under the weight of sand, water or excited preschoolers – especially indoors!