Any ideas for what to put in a sandbox besides sand, or pea gravel?

Question

The bags of sand at the hardware store are labeled as possible carcinogens, and the "safe play sand" online is either insanely expensive, or creepily and brightly colored.

Thank you for your suggestions that are not kitty litter.

Answer 1

Ping pong balls would be pretty cool, especially if you can find muticolored ones. It would be like a mini version of the ball cage at chucky cheese, and all the other kids on the block would be totally jealous of your kids.

Answer 2

I second the idea of beans. Some other things that they put in the "water table" at preschool are multi-colored puff balls, water, corn meal, rice, and dry pasta. Any of those may work in a sandbox, but I don't know how good they are for actually sitting in. The child would have to sit outside the box to play comfortably with most of those things.

Answer 3

Lentils or split peas work really well because they pour. Any of those kind of dry goods like beans or peas.



It depends how much you need though. I'm surprised you find the play sand expensive, you can get a 50 lb bag for less than $10 here http://www.amazon.com/Texas-50LB-Sandbox-Sand/dp/B000BZ6LH0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331330309&sr=8-1

Answer 4

wood chips?

Answer 5

Birdseed ?????