Hey everyone! I bought a pre-made sandbox for my kid, and now I'm trying to figure out the best type of sand to use. I've got around 15 bags of sand left over from when I filled sandbags to protect my house during winter storms. Would this sand be safe for use in the sandbox, or should I just stick with fresh, new play sand? I appreciate any insights or recommendations!
3 Answers
Honestly, it’d be safer to just use play sand. The sand in sandbags might have been used for flood control, and could potentially be contaminated. It’s good to keep that in mind. Washing it might help, but if you have the choice, fresh play sand is the way to go. You want to avoid any possible mold or nasties in there!
I'd personally recommend going with clean play sand. The sand you used in sandbags can have impurities or stuff mixed in that you wouldn’t want kids playing with. You want them to have a safe place to dig and build! Plus, play sand is usually washed and screened to be nice and smooth, without any sharp bits. Just be careful—neighborhood cats might think it’s a litter box if you leave it uncovered!
For sure! That's why I made sure to get a sandbox cover. It keeps it cleaner and reduces those unwanted 'surprises.'
Just to add to this, the texture of sandbag sand is usually rougher and can have small rocks, while playground sand is specifically graded to be safe for kids. If you’re looking for something less abrasive and more enjoyable for play, definitely go with play sand!
Exactly! It's more fun for them to play in, too. Plus, it’s treated to minimize dust which is better for their lungs.
Good call! I hadn’t thought about mold. Always better safe than sorry with kids.