kids love playing with sand, and you may not be having a playground for your babies. The good thing is that you can always create one. You will need to buy a sand box and playing sand. In this article, I want us to review the best play sand for sandbox. Reason being, not all sand is safe for your baby. Others may argue that all sand is the same, but it’s not!
For play sand to be considered safe, it has to go through cleaning processes. It has to be soft and non-toxic. Unsafe sand may have bacteria which will then be harmful to your baby.
Are all sands same?
Definitely no! the reason I’m saying that all sands are not the same is because we have different types of sands with different purposes. Apart from sand for your sandbox, we also have:
- Building sand
- Playing sand
In the case of these two, they have different characteristics which should be observed when purchasing.
Also read: Best Snowboard Ski Helmets for Kids
Best Sand for your baby's Sandbox Reviews
Since it may be a hard task for you to distinguish safe and unsafe sand, we have already researched the best play sand for your sandbox which is safe for your baby. Let’s have a look together on what I got.
1. Sandtastik Sparkling White Play Sand
In most cases, when babies start walking, the first thing they enjoy to play with is sand. It makes them be creative and keep them busy. Sandtastik sparkling white play sand, is one type of sand that we can highly recommend. The first reason is that it can be used both indoor and outdoor. Its environmental friendly and wont damage anything in your environment.
Another great feature is that it contains no free silica, quartz, wheat or nuts. Its 100% natural and therefore suitable for your baby. It’s white in color with a soft texture that is hands friendly. The fine dust particles are minimal such that your baby wont cough when using it.
In case your baby wants to create sculptures or castles, they only need to add a little water for it to be moist. Children aged 3 and above are suitable to use this sand.
It is made from feldspar rock, and weighs 25 lb and that’s a good amount for your baby to play with.
Pros
- Can be used both indoor and outdoor.
- Non-toxic and hypoallergenic.
- Can be molded and shaped when wet.
- Quite a good amount in the package which is 11.3 kgs.
Cons
- Many users complained of getting bugs in the sand.
- A bit expensive.
2. Coolsand Natural Refill Pack
To ensure all kids got what they love for maximum enjoyment, this sand comes in various colors and you just choose whatever color will suit your baby. Even after hours of playing, it never dries out. It can be molded, sliced or shaped and can retain the shape even for years.
Being a 2-pound package, it’s enough for your baby to be creative with. The better part of it is that it can be used by all age groups. Playing with sand makes your kid relax and be stress-free. It also helps develop fine motor skills in children. Being an educational toy, it can be used even in daycare or pre-school.
Another great feature as to why we love this sand is that it doesn’t stick on your hands or clothes. And even after messing the playing area, it will be quick and easy to clean it up.
Pros
- Sticks together perfectly well.
- Can be used by all age groups.
- Comes in different colors.
- Easy to clean up.
Cons
- Available in less quantity,2 pounds.
3. Kinetic Sand Beach Sand
The best feature about this sand is that it sticks together but doesn’t stick to your hands. It feels like water which flows through your fingers but leaves them completely dry. It is made of larger particles which makes it perfect for your babies since there will be no coughing which is caused by the fine particles.
Since it sticks together, it’s good for molding which makes babies creative. It’s soft and easy to shape. Your kids can use it over and over as it doesn’t dry up. Since it doesn’t dry up, it holds its shape well for long.
As we know kids are delicate, whatever they touch should be safe for them. In this case, this sand is non-toxic, hypoallergenic and is made of beach sand and polymers. It can be used both indoor and outdoor and can be used by kids aged 3 years and above. It comes in a package weighing 3lb.
Pros
- Retains shape after molding.
- Non-toxic.
- Can be used both indoor and outdoor.
- Doesn’t stick to your hands.
Cons
- Slightly hard consistency.
- Has a smell.
4. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Play Sand
Being a kinetic sand, be sure that it won’t stain your kid’s clothes or hands. It sticks together to form shapes without staining. Even after hours of molding and shaping, it wont dry out. With 6 molds, your kids will be able to build castles, pyramids and other creative molds.
This 6-pound sand comes in three colors which are purple, blue and natural sand. You can keep them separate or combine for colorful molds. Even after mixing there will be no drying out or any problem you will experience.
NATIONAL GEOOGRAPHIC play sand is non-toxic and hypoallergenic. It’s mess-free and therefore easy to clean. With 100% satisfaction guarantee, it will help your kids in their education as it will make them creative. For safety purposes, it can only be used by kids above 3 years as it can be a choking hazard for younger children.
Pros
- It feels wet but leaves your hands dry.
- Easy to clean.
- Can be used as educational toys.
- Comes as a pack weighing 6 lb.
Cons
- The color sticks to kids’ hands but it’s easy to wash out with water.
5. Activa Décor White Sand
One of the great features we liked about this sand is the fact that it’s water proof. We have seen customers complain of other sands having gone bad after coming into contact with water. With these you will be stress-free since it also doesn’t fade.
With lots of uses, you will never get tired of it. Be it crafting, home decor, flower, plant and candle arrangement, school projects… and other uses. With the different colors I’m sure it will be of great use to you and your kids. It will help your kids discover, explore and will also develop their creativity.
It’s a 5 lb package which is enough for your kids to play with. Being made in the USA, you can also guess that it’s safe for your babies. We love it because It’s one of those sands that is certified by the ACMI, AP approved and meets CA prop 65. It is non-toxic and free of silica and quartz.
Pros
- Has many uses including home decor.
- Certified by the ACMI.
- Comes in a 5 lb package.
- Available in various colors.
Cons
- The white sand appears beige in color.
- It’s fine almost like powder.
Benefits of Sand Play
Kids and even adults love playing. It helps in both creativity and health purposes. Playing with sand is beneficial as it:
- Helps your kids be creative.
- allows your kids develop their motor skills
- will help your kid develop communication and language skills.
How to Maintain Play Sand for Your Sandbox
After playing, remember to take care of your sand as you will still need it tomorrow. You also need to take care of it so that it won’t dry up and to keep it clean. Remember to:
- To remove any dirt that may have fallen in the sand like leaves.
- Ensure it’s dry before storage to avoid harmful bacteria which forms in wet sand.
- Keep the sandbox closed to keep away unwanted dirt or insects.
Wrap Up
Buying the best sand for sandbox, even though expensive, is the best idea always. It will be safe for your kids to use. In our case, we can recommend sandtastik sparkling white play sand. It sparkles and is natural. It’s easy to mold and soft to touch.
Ensure your kids enjoy playing with sand even though they are not near the beach. To them It will be a memory to remember.