Large Sandbox With Cover

Solid Wood Octagonal Sandbox With Cover

Critter Sitters

What We Like: Classic styling, sturdy construction

What We Don’t Like: Limited seats on the sides

Not So Great For: Small backyards

Perfect For: Large open backyards or playgrounds

Thanks to its open design, this large sandbox is the perfect place for a group of kids to dig, build, and let their imaginations run wild. The box is 9’’ deep and can hold up to 624.3 lbs. of sand, plenty for kids to play without hitting the bottom or piling it all in one corner.

The box is made of weatherproof, durable Chinese fir, which will stand up to years of play. This big sandbox with a cover has a ground sheet to keep insects and animals out and prevent groundwater from seeping into the play area.

$149 ~~$199~~

Merchant links are sponsored

Shop at WAYFAIR
Shop Similar at WAYFAIR Up to 70% OFF Every Day at Wayfair
Shop Similar at AMAZON

+ more info

Simple 12’ x 12’ Square Sandbox With Cover

Action Play Systems

What We Like: Simple, effective design

What We Don’t Like: No seats

Not So Great For: Use as a design element in a yards

Perfect For: Heavy-duty use

Its minimalist design makes this large sandbox with cover suitable for heavy-duty use. If you have a child who enjoys playing in the sand every day or a big family, this sandbox is the ideal addition to your backyard.

The plastic sandbox features black walls several inches high to keep sand contained and a water-resistant blue cover that will keep the sand dry in wet or rainy weather.

Merchant links are sponsored

Shop Similar at WAYFAIR Up to 70% OFF Every Day at Wayfair
Shop Similar at AMAZON

+ more info

Round Plastic Sandbox With Cover

Vandue Corporation

What We Like: Large, with ample side seats

What We Don’t Like: Lightweight assembly

Not So Great For: Large children

Perfect For: Small children under six years old

This easy-to-assemble polyethylene extra large sandbox with cover is ready to use within minutes after taking it out of the shipping box. The kit contains four straight and four rounded UV-resistant plastic, along with four attachable seats, giving you the freedom to customize the shape to fit your backyard perfectly.

The kit also has a perforated base liner for excellent drainage and a UV-resistant cover with weatherproof tie-downs to keep the sandbox safe during storms. At only 16 lbs. without sand and a tool-free assembly, this is one of the easiest sandboxes to set up and use and can make a great first sandbox for a growing kid.

$144.94 ~~$200~~

Merchant links are sponsored

Shop at WAYFAIR
Shop Similar at WAYFAIR Up to 70% OFF Every Day at Wayfair
Shop Similar at AMAZON

+ more info

Gazebo Style Hexagonal Sandbox

Gorilla Playsets

What We Like: Charming gazebo design

What We Don’t Like: Smaller play area than others

Not So Great For: Groups of children

Perfect For: A single child

Thanks to its innovative and beautiful design, this sandbox offers your kids hours of playtime safe from the elements. The sandbox is set in a gazebo with a removable polyester tarp roof that keeps children safe from harmful UV rays. The box holds 100-150 lbs. of sand, giving up to 2’’ of depth for play.

The structure is made from stained wood, resistant to rot, water damage, and insect infestation. It is also fire retardant and mold resistant, giving a child years of safe enjoyment. The edges are also made of broad cedar boards, which offer seating areas for children and adults to enjoy without sitting on the sand.

Merchant links are sponsored

Shop Similar at WAYFAIR Up to 70% OFF Every Day at Wayfair
Shop Similar at AMAZON

+ more info

Cabana Style Sandbox and Play Area

HUUHRIN

What We Like: Unique, multifunctional design

What We Don’t Like: Benches can’t hold an adult's weight

Not So Great For: Large families

Perfect For: Small backyards

This combined large sand box play area has an attractive cabana design with Velcro attached waterproof canopy and walls allowing you to keep sun and water off your kids or promote airflow on nice days. The cabana is also made of durable eco-friendly fade and crack-proof spruce wood that will last for years.

The sandbox features two 14-liter toy bins for easy storage and added play options, and two benches for children up to 110 lbs. The bottom of the sandbox is protected by an insect and water-proof non-woven fabric liner, which keeps the play area safe and hygienic. This cabana maximizes the play area with a sleek and stylish setup.

Merchant links are sponsored

Shop Similar at WAYFAIR Up to 70% OFF Every Day at Wayfair
Shop Similar at AMAZON

+ more info

Square Sandbox With Seats And Cover

KidKraft

What We Like: Four stable seats at the corners

What We Don’t Like: No solid bottom

Not So Great For: Yards with inadequate drainage

Perfect For: Families with 1-3 Children

Although this sandbox with cover is made of solid wood, at only 33 lbs., it is light enough to be a portable option to take to the lake or beach and used for imaginative play in the backyard. The four corners have built-in seats allowing adults to join their kids to play without getting sand on their clothes.

The sand box with lid has a weatherproof, non-toxic, easily cleaned cover which keeps the sandbox safe and ready to use year-round. However, the sandbox does not have a bottom sheet, so place it in a well-drained area or add a tarp under the sand to keep it dry and animal-free.

$144.12 ~~$185.61~~

Merchant links are sponsored

Shop at WAYFAIR
Shop Similar at WAYFAIR Up to 70% OFF Every Day at Wayfair
Shop Similar at AMAZON

+ more info

Buying Guide

Sandboxes! Simple wooden frames filled with tiny grains of eroded rocks and shells that contain countless hours of laughter and fun, for little brains with imaginations running amok.

And of course, they are also the first sowing ground for seeds of teamwork and social skills. The experiences that your little munchkins get while digging into those innocuous-looking mounds of sand are incomparable.

Sadly, that doesn’t make shopping for these simple play boxes any easier. Most newbie parents are left dizzied at the sheer number of sizes, designs and features available in large sandboxes with cover.

If you are one of those parents, then here’s a little help to get you started.

What sandbox design should you choose?

What type of sandbox would your kids (or you) prefer? From barebones wooden frames with a tarp rolled over it for cover, to exquisite looking sandboxes with rollaway castles, your options are unlimited.

It is important to know beforehand what you are willing to spend for it and the kind of features you are looking for.

The most desirable features are a sturdy frame that doesn’t peel, warp or split, a heavy duty cover, a weed block in the base and some seating space for the kids, either on the sides or in the corners.

Vanity features like an elevated canopy, cup holders on the sides and storage drawers look good in advertisements.

But sand and kids tend to be a messy affair and these are not really going to do much to improve playtime.

What are the recommended materials for a large sandbox with cover?

Shoppers on a tight budget can opt for premade plastic sandboxes with covers. These are cheap and don’t warp either. But the cheaper ones tend to be flimsier than wooden sandboxes.

The last thing you need is the plastic lid blowing off in a wee bit of gust and the sandbox getting flooded, or doubling up as a litterbox for wandering critters. Even worse, it may end up as a resting place for the legless variety. Yikes!

Wood is the gold standard in sandboxes, with cedar being the most obvious choice. The only drawback is that it’s not pressure treated and tends to splinter occasionally.

If you willing to loosen the purse strings a little, you can get a sandbox made of pressure treated lumber. Just ensure that you are aware of the chemicals used to treat the wood. You don’t want anything toxic to leech out into the sand.

Can I make a sandbox myself?

A quick search on the internet will reveal hundreds of websites with DIY plans and videos to build your own sandboxes. The idea certainly seems appealing mind you. You can customize everything to your liking. The depth, the design, the cover. But it’s a time, labor and money-intensive woodworking project. One that you are better off not undertaking unless you have the expertise to complete. It’s always safer to buy one off the shelves, especially because there’s no dearth of options to choose from.