It’s a well-known fact that kids love the beach, but it’s just not possible to take them all the time. With the best sandpits you don’t have to…
Simply bring the beach to your back garden every day this summer, instead.
Not only are sandpits heaps of fun, they also provide plenty of opportunity for outdoor active and sensory play, encouraging creativity and imagination, and supporting the development of fine motor skills with all that digging and sandcastle-building.
From sandpits with benches and digging accessories, to outdoor cabanas and car and boat-shaped options, we've rounded up the best sandpits to keep the kids entertained this summer below. All you need now? A bucket and spade…
Best sandpits 2021
1. Little Tikes Turtle SandBox-Sandpit
Everybody's favourite green friend, the Little Tikes Turtle is a common sight in many a back garden - and kids love him.
Perfect for children from 12 months and upwards, it's a versatile go-to, and can be used as a sandpit, ball pit or paddling pool.
It has a removable lid to keep things clean, and two seats moulded into the outside for your little ones.
2. Plum Treasure Beach Wooden Sandpit
This simple yet fun design offers rounded corners for extra safety and four mini benches for little ones to sit on as they dig and pour the sand.
Crafted with FSC-certified wood, it's easy to assemble and comes with a protective cover as well as a ground sheet to prevent weeds growing through from the bottom. Suitable from 18 months and up.
3. Outsunny Kids Square Wooden Sandpit
Score some serious brownie points with your mini-me with this cool outdoor cabana sandpit.
There's two benches with backrests for stable seating and enough room to invite friends, and a handy adjustable canopy that protects against the sun and sudden rain.
The sandpit area in the middle also has a lid to protect it against the elements when not in use. Perfect for kids from 3-7 years old.
4. 75cm Sand Pit Paddling Pool
If you're looking for a sandpit for small children and don't want to spend a a fortune, this little option is ideal, and suits kids from 12 months upwards.
It comes in a pretty sky-blue hue, and can be used as a sandpit, ball pit, or mini paddling pool. You can also buy a set of two and use one as a lid for when they're not in use.
It boasts a sandpit in the middle, a removable splash bowl, a wooden play surface, chalkboard, and a captain's wheel with fun compass details.
You have to put it together yourself but the end result is worth it. And, as then reviews say, kids "love it".
5. TP Ahoy Wooden Play Boat Sand and Water Pit
Sandpit ship, ahoy! Make your mini mes the captain of their own sandpit with this cool boat.
More than just a funky sandpit, it's a multi-activity experience that really promotes imaginative play.
It simply takes one adult to slide the boat into its full play mode and back again when it's not in use.
6. Big Game Hunters Car Wooden Sandpit
Just drive! Kids will adore this car-shaped sandpit, which will allow them to travel through all sorts of playful adventures together.
The car bonnet even opens up to reveal a large storage box where they can keep toys and accessories, too.
It comes with a weatherproof cover, and an underlay to stop sand from escaping, allow drainage and prevent weeds growing through the sand. Pretty cool, huh?
7. Big Game Hunters 6410 Giant 1.8 Metre Octagonal Wooden Sandpit
Go big or go home! Kids will adore this giant sandpit that they can really roll around in.
There's four bench seats around the edge and lots of space for friends and siblings to get sociable - and very sandy - together.
To keep it clean, it also comes with an underlay and protective cover. Perfect for ages 3-12.
It's certainly keeping kids happy. One review read: "This is an excellent sand pit. It is big, I bought it for an eight-year-old and she has plenty of room. We have moved house, taken it apart and rebuilt it, and it is still as sturdy and good as new."
8. Step2 Naturally Playful Sand Table
If you want your kids to have fun digging, building and pouring sand, but don't necessarily want them covered head-to-toe in it, this sand table is the ideal solution.
It comes with two shovels, one pot and two scoops (everything they need for building castles), and also has a lid with a roadmap so the kids can play cars on it too. Suitable for ages two and over.
