Small sandbox vs. sand and water table?

[marinkitty]

The kids have been using our unplanted deck planters as a sandbox and now that we are getting ready to plant them I want to get them a substitute. We have a TINY yard so I could spare 4x4 max. The only covered box I've seen that is that small is the new PBK one, which is not only huge $$$ but the sandcover stinks and the box has no floor which we will need b/c it will be on a flagstone patio.

So, trying to find an alternate box or just ditch the box idea and get a sand and water table. I just worry about the longevity of the latter.

Those who have one or the other - I'd love your opinions on which is better and any suggestions you have that will meet our needs.

Thanks!

Holly
Mom to Mia (3.17.03) and baby brother Jack (3.23.05)

[calebsmama03]

Costco had a sand box with a cover in the shape of a boat last time I was there. I didn't look at price but I'm sure it's cheaper than PBK ;) We have a sand and water table (the LT one that Target clearanced 2 summers ago). I have a thing about sand in the "bum" so I chose the table over the box for that reason :D
Lynne
Mommy to C 3/03
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And Miss Purple, 5/05

[Neatfreak]

I cheaped out and just filled a large Rubbermaid tote with a bag of playsand for DD. We also don't have much room for a regular sandbox. The box is fairly deep so that DD has to stand or sit on a low stool to play in it, similar to a sand/water table. I like that the lid can be fastened really well on the tote ...

[RwnMayfair]

We have a sand and water table here, which would fit into a 4x4 space. It's the Naturally Playful Sand & Water Activity Center by Step 2. We went with that over a sandbox because it could go on our porch, and our backyard isn't very big either. (We're in a townhome.) Plus, the backyard is a bit sloped, so I don't think a sandbox would have worked anyway.

Taran loved the sand and water table last year, and has liked it even more this year. The one we have has a good lid that can be fastened down as well. I'm sure he would enjoy a sandbox too, though he does really like playing with the water part of the sand and water table. If you decide to go with a sand and water table, I know I've seen smaller ones than what we have, though I haven't really looked into them since we bought ours last year.

I have seen covered sandboxes with floors at Toys R Us - they tend to be made by Step 2 and Little Tikes. They're the plastic ones though, and I'm sure not as fancy as the PBK one. (I haven't seen the PBK one, though.) They have the advantage of being fairly cheap. I've never used one and can't speak about how they last, though.

Anyway, enough rambling. Our sand and water table has gotten good use and is much loved around here, if that helps any. :)

-Melissa

Taran, November 20, 2003
Elowen, August 20, 2005

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[jvorhis]

We have a Little Tikes sand and water table and a sand box. I bought the sand and water table because I was not really into having a sand box. A friend of the family ended up buying us a really nice wood sandbox and Emma loves it. She is in it every chance she gets. We don't use the sand and water table at all anymore and I was thinking of getting rid of it. We do keep the sand and water table in the garage because I don't want it getting ruined outside and because you can't really cover it with anything. If I had to do it again I would just get a sandbox and skip the sand and water table.

[Moneypenny]

We have the LT sand and water table and we LOVE it. DD plays at it for hours and all that gets diry/wet is her top half. I like that I can sit in a chair and play with her rather than having to sit myself down on the ground which is what I'd have to do if we had a sandbox. DD is 21 months. The neighbor kids, who are 3, 7, and 8 like to come over and play with it, too, so I think the longevity is good.

Susan
mama to my cutie pie, Avery
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[KBecks]

We got the naturally playful sandbox by Step 2. I think that's what it's called, it has a cover with a sun on it. Alek has enjoyed it and he can sit in the box. It's not super attractive, but it's OK. I'm glad we went with a box and not a table just because I think the box will be more fun over the long haul.