10 Best Backyard Children’s Sandboxes
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A backyard sandbox is not just a play area; it’s a place where children can unleash their creativity, engage in sensory play, and enjoy hours of fun outdoors. Choosing the right sandbox involves considering factors like size, material, cover options, and features that enhance playtime. Whether you’re looking to create a dedicated play space in your backyard or add to existing outdoor activities, a well-chosen sandbox can provide endless entertainment and developmental benefits for children. In this guide, we’ve reviewed the ten best backyard children’s sandboxes, each offering unique features to cater to different needs and preferences.
Quick Glance: Best Backyard Children’s Sandboxes
| Sandbox | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Step2 Naturally Playful Sandbox | Best Overall | Large size, durable plastic, cover included, integrated seats, weather-resistant |
| Little Tikes Turtle Sandbox | Best Classic Design | Iconic turtle shape, spacious interior, removable shell lid, durable plastic |
| Badger Basket Covered Convertible Cedar Sandbox | Best Covered Sandbox | Cedar wood construction, convertible cover, bench seating, spacious interior |
| KidKraft Wooden Backyard Sandbox with Built-In Bench | Best Wooden Sandbox | Sturdy wood construction, built-in bench seating, mesh cover, includes storage compartments |
| Costzon Kids Foldable Cabana Sandbox | Best Portable Sandbox | Foldable design, cabana canopy, sturdy construction, storage space |
| Step2 Crabbie Sandbox | Best Toddler Sandbox | Crab-shaped design, molded seats, removable shell lid, durable plastic |
| Creative Cedar Designs Octagon Sandbox | Best Octagon Shape | Octagon-shaped, sturdy cedar wood, seating included, cover included |
| Best Choice Products Cedar Sandbox with Two Bench Seats | Best for Larger Families | Cedar wood, two bench seats, canopy cover, large play area |
| Badger Basket Bamboo Beach Sandbox | Best Beach-Style Sandbox | Bamboo construction, beach umbrella, includes sand tools, spacious play area |
| Step2 Play and Store Sandbox with Cover | Best Compact Sandbox | Compact design, cover included, molded seats, durable plastic |
1. Best Overall: Step2 Naturally Playful Sandbox
- SENSORY ACTIVITY: 7-piece sand accessory set, shovel, rake, bucket, molded-in roadways on lid creates a race track, teac…
- STURDY LID & SEATS: Features a durable lid for easy clean up, and four built-in kid-sized seats for toddlers to enjoy ti…
- EASY TO CLEAN & ASSEMBLE: Wipe or hose down, elastic tie-downs on ends of lid to cover
The Step2 Naturally Playful Sandbox is our top pick for its large size and durable plastic construction. It includes integrated seats, a weather-resistant cover, and offers ample space for multiple children to play comfortably.
2. Best Classic Design: Little Tikes Turtle Sandbox
- Made in the USA. The Little Tikes Company is located in the heartland of America.
- ICONIC TURTLE – Turtle Sandbox with friendly molded-in face and large area for lots of sand play.
- IMAGINATIVE PLAY – Kids can use their imagination to build sandcastles, towns, and more.
The Little Tikes Turtle Sandbox features an iconic turtle shape with a spacious interior. It includes a removable shell lid for protection and durable plastic construction, making it a favorite among children for imaginative play.
3. Best Covered Sandbox: Badger Basket Covered Convertible Cedar Sandbox
- BUILT-IN BENCHES FOR COMFY PLAY – Two sturdy benches offering kids comfortable seating off the ground for social and cre…
- FOLDING BENCHES CONVERT TO LID – Benches fold down to form a protective cover, keeping sand clean from animals and debri…
- UV CANOPY FOR SHADED PLAY – Fixed canopy offers shade from sun and UV rays, keeping kids cool during outdoor playtime. I…
The Badger Basket Covered Convertible Cedar Sandbox is crafted from cedar wood and features a convertible cover that transforms into bench seating. It offers a spacious interior and durable construction for long-lasting outdoor play.
4. Best Wooden Sandbox: KidKraft Wooden Backyard Sandbox with Built-In Bench
- Mesh cover for when sandbox is not in use
- Large enough that multiple children can play at once
- Smart, sturdy construction
The KidKraft Wooden Backyard Sandbox combines sturdy wood construction with built-in bench seating and a mesh cover. It includes storage compartments for toys and provides a comfortable play area for children.
5. Best Portable Sandbox: Costzon Kids Foldable Cabana Sandbox
- [ Convertible&Height Adjustable Canopy ]: The canopy is made of waterproof PVC Oxford cloth to protect kids from the wea…
- [ Bottomless Construction ]: Your kids are not limited to sand only as deep as the sandbox. The bottomless construction …
- [ Built-in Benches with Backrest ]: The sandbox has strong load-bearing capacity , providing adequate outdoor play area …
The Costzon Kids Foldable Cabana Sandbox features a foldable design with a cabana canopy for sun protection. It’s sturdy, portable, and includes storage space, making it ideal for versatile outdoor play.
6. Best Toddler Sandbox: Step2 Crabbie Sandbox
- STEM TOYS: Indoor/Outdoor playset, hands-on sensory play that boosts creativity and problem-solving, assembled dimension…
- SENSORY TABLE: 4-piece sand accessory set, shovel, rake, buckets, holds up to 25 lbs., sand not included
- OPEN PLAY: Sand table for many kids, get creative with kinetic sand, beans, or soil
The Step2 Crabbie Sandbox is designed for toddlers with its crab-shaped design and molded seats. It includes a removable shell lid and durable plastic construction, perfect for young children’s sensory play.
7. Best Octagon Shape: Creative Cedar Designs Octagon Sandbox
- EASY TO ASSEMBLE SANDBOX KIT: The perfect DIY sandbox engineered with our “slot system” for quick and easy assembly. Onl…
- REAL CEDAR SANDBOX IS NATURAL & BEAUTIFUL IN BACKYARD: (L) 84″ X 78″ (W) x 9″ (H). 3/4″ thick cedar panels hold up to 80…
- SMOOTH CEDAR WOOD PANELS & WIDE SEATS ARE COMFORTABLE & BUILT TO LAST YEARS: Naturally resistant cedar wood is perfectly…
The Creative Cedar Designs Octagon Sandbox stands out with its octagon shape and sturdy cedar wood construction. It includes built-in seating and a cover, offering a unique play space for children.
8. Best for Larger Families: Best Choice Products Cedar Sandbox with Two Bench Seats
- COMFORTABLE SEATING: Built-in benches provide reliable seating up to 220 pounds, while reinforced backrests keep your ch…
- SEATS CONVERT TO COVER: Designed with two benches that seat up to 4 children or 2 adults and easily fold down into a spl…
- CEDAR WOOD: Naturally durable cedar wood is enhanced with a specialized heat treatment to help this playtime classic ret…
The Best Choice Products Cedar Sandbox is spacious with two bench seats and a canopy cover for sun protection. It’s made from cedar wood, providing a large play area for larger families.
9. Best Beach-Style Sandbox: Badger Basket Bamboo Beach Sandbox
- FOLDING BENCHES CONVERT TO SANDBOX COVER – Two benches offer seating during play and fold down into a lid to keep sand c…
- DURABLE CEDAR WOOD FOR LONG-LASTING USE – Built with weather-resistant cedar wood for strength and style. This outdoor s…
- SPACIOUS PLAY AREA FOR MULTIPLE KIDS – Roomy interior lets several kids play together. Great for digging, building, and …
The Badger Basket Bamboo Beach Sandbox features bamboo construction with a beach umbrella for shade. It includes sand tools and offers a spacious play area, creating a fun beach-like experience at home.
10. Best Compact Sandbox: Step2 Play and Store Sandbox with Cover
- SENSORY ACTIVITY: 7-piece sand accessory set, shovel, rake, bucket, molded-in roadways on lid creates a race track, teac…
- STURDY LID & SEATS: Features a durable lid for easy clean up, and four built-in kid-sized seats for toddlers to enjoy ti…
- EASY TO CLEAN & ASSEMBLE: Wipe or hose down, elastic tie-downs on ends of lid to cover
The Step2 Play and Store Sandbox is compact yet functional with a cover included for protection. It features molded seats, durable plastic construction, and is perfect for smaller outdoor spaces.
Final Words
Investing in a backyard sandbox can transform your outdoor space into a haven for imaginative play and sensory exploration. The sandboxes listed above cater to various preferences, from classic designs and wooden constructions to portable options and covered models. Consider your space, children’s ages, and desired features to choose the best sandbox that will provide countless hours of fun and creative play for your family.
