Does your sandbox have a bottom?

[fattytuna]

We just got the PBK Safari Sandbox (http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/out15/index.cfm?pkey=xsrd0m1%7C12%7C%7C%7C1%7C%7C%7C%7C% 7C%7C%7Csandbox&cm%5Fsrc=SCH) for DS. It doesn't come with a bottom - supposedly so it can be moved easily and also provides drainage, although it does come with a tarp to be placed on the bottom if you chooses to.

I was just wondering, if your sandbox didn't come with a bottom, did you make one yourself, put a tarp at the bottom, or just pour the sand directly on the ground? If you allow water in yours, does it get messy?

TIA!

[fivi2]

We put landscape fabric (I think that is what it is called) on the bottom of our homemade sandbox. It drains just fine, but we don't get a ton of rain. Nothing grows up through the sand.
hth

eta: I probably wouldn't want something that doesn't drain (like plastic) unless you put a few holes in the bottom. I have no idea if it would collect water or not, just seems like it would!

[KrisM]

We used to have a plastic sandbox, like the turtle one, and it would be a muddy mess after every rain.

We now have a huge homemade one and have landscape fabric under. No big puddles and it drains nicely. The water does a nice job of keeping the sand damp and nice to play with.

We dug out where the sandbox is so that the sand is deeper.

[fattytuna]

Thanks, ladies! I'd better not put the plastic tarp down if I want the kids to add water. I'll get some landscape fabric (from places such as Home Depot, I presume).

[lisams]

DH built a sandbox and we also have one under their swingset/climber. Neither have anything on the bottom, just the ground. When it rains the sand gets wet, but it doesn't puddle. We've never had a problem. No weeds, bugs, etc.

[johnsmittacker]

yes it sure does

[new_mommy25]

We have teh Kidkraft boat sandbox and it came with a big piece of plastic to put underneath. It's like a thick garbage bag. We've never had any problems. When it rains the sand does get damp but dries quickly.