subject: Sandboxes -- Timeless Fun and Endless Creativity in Your Backyard [print this page] Sandboxes -- Timeless Fun and Endless Creativity in Your Backyard
Sandboxes are as enjoyed today as they were fifty years ago, even in the face of TV and computer games. They are a refuge where children can escape into their very own fantasy worlds. It's the very simplicity of sand and sandboxes that opens children's imaginations wide. Children are free to let their own unique and creative ideas lead the way because there is nothing about sand that suggests to children how they should play with it. It comes with no instructions and is utterly, wonderfully uncomplicated.
In addition, it doesn't matter whether children have access to elaborate sand tools, or cups and spoons from the kitchen, or just their hands and feet, a sandbox can become anything they can imagine. Will it be a construction site where skyscrapers, roads, and tunnels come to life? Or, perhaps a medieval kingdom with castles, moats, and a dragon's lair? The only tools needed exist in the mind of a child.
Just as kids can be creative while playing in a sandbox, you can also be creative in the design and construction of one. From a basic sandbox built from four pieces of wood, to a kit that includes a sandbox which can connect to other playground equipment, your choices are many and diverse. Always keep safety in mind when constructing and designing a sandbox. If the sandbox is not already built into a playset unit, be sure to place it in an area that is safe and away from swing sets and slides. In addition, check your sandbox regularly to look for sharp objects, edges that could cut or splinter, and exposed nails or screws that could pose a danger to children.
Not only is it important to keep an eye out for potential dangers in and around your sandbox, it is also important to keep your sandbox as clean as possible. Dirt, leaves, sticks, insects, bugs, and even the occasional visit from the neighborhood cat can create an unhealthy play environment for children. Using a sandbox cover is always a good idea and can be as basic as a tarp or a piece of wood that fits over the top. You can also purchase a custom sandbox cover that fastens to the sandbox ensuring a secure fit. Custom sandbox covers can be made from a mesh material or from a solid material which naturally prevents rain and debris from reaching the sand. These sandbox covers are durable, attractive, and come in a variety of different colors.
When it really comes down to it, sand and sandboxes are the most cost effective "toys" that you could ever give to your children. Sandboxes promote outdoor play in fresh air, they excite the imagination, and they never need to be traded in for a newer model. What's more, sandboxes are fun for adults, too. As a parent who probably played in a sandbox as a kid, you can share special moments with your children by showing them some of your own sandbox escapades. All in all, there appears to be no end to the value provided by the simple sandbox.
