Sorry... non fishing related (Q on sandbox construction)

[Schnauzer]

I've had such good advice here on so many things, I thought I'd post a new question. Sorry, it isn't fishing related.

Anyway, I'm building a sand box for my little fellas this weekend and I'm wondering about where to find a good source for the sand. My sister picked up some so-called "fine grain" sand at a gravel pit a few years back and I thought it too coarse.

Any ideas? I live in the Twin Cities.

OK, I guess I can't post without at least saying SOMETHING about walleyes... I just got back from a great weekend at Woman Lake. This lake has been to me like the fish in Old Man and the Sea. I have had a couple decent outings but have struggled quite a bit there over the past couple years. Well, we hammered them for three straight days! I'm sure plenty of future skunkings await me but it sure felt good to bust through that barrier.

[mbrandt]

What you want to get is "Play Sand". It is just what is needed in the sand box. It is washed and sanitized for sandbox use. It also makes good ballest in the back of the truck for winter. I get mine at the local Lowes home improvement, but I'm sure Home Depot and Menards carry it too. It comes in 50lb bags and costs about $1.50 a bag.

Mark

[Toolman]

Snauzer,
Try your local masonry supply yard (brick and block). Masons sand is pretty fine and clean. It will also be alot cheaper than buying it prebagged.
Tim

[wally_diver]

I've bought that good sand at the Home Depot in Bloomington. It's straight back from the contractors entrance.

[sandman]

I would call your local cement plant and ask if they can give you a load of washed sand (presuming you have a pickup). A pickup load should only run you a couple bucks ($5). Don't load it too full!!! You may need a couple loads depending on the size of your sandbox.

Will be much cheaper than the bagged stuff!

[jimbo]

Try your local Jaycees. Some times they have sand box filling as a project
Jimbo

[Boatnut]

you can buy the bagged "play sand" at any home depot/lowe's type of store but depending on size of box, might cost ya a small fortune.

I went to a contractors masonry supply place and bought regular "beach sand" for mine and works fine. Look in yellow pages under "building supplies" and call around.
mason's sand wont work as well.

to be honest though..i cursed the day i made it....luckily they didnt play in it that much..they'd track that nasty stuff in the house and get it everywhere!!!!!!!!! I'd much prefer they just plaid in plain ol' dirt like i did when i was a kid. :)

[Mckoz]

Mason sand is what you are looking for - If you have a redi-mix plant they can load you right from the hopper or with and end loader. Torpedo sand works as well but is more like "beach sand" with fines and some small stone.

1 yard with fill a 20 sqaure foot area approx 12" - be careful hauling it though if its wet it can weigh up to 4000 lbs.

One other word of advice - if you have neighbors with cats cover the sandbox.

The kids will love it.

Mike

[jim c]

tell the wife "going for free sand for the kids"bring rods and head for the shore.

[BD]

My sand box (boy was that a long time ago) was built so when the cover was on it doubled as a picnic table. That's right a sand box with legs and seats. With all that weight in the box the table stood up to some pretty strong winds without moving. The picnic table I have now has gone sailing a couple of times.

[ufda]

Don't mean to be a Scared Willy, but two warnings. Don't use high silica sand that is used in some masonry jobs (it has a warning not to inhale it.) Also, don't build the sandbox out of copper arsenate treated wood (the stuff with the greenish color to it). It is tempting as it won't rot, but they advise you wash your children's hands every time they touch it (yeah, right!) as they can get arsenic in their system. I found this out from Wood magazine as I was buildinig my grandchildren a playhouse.

[OFG]

When I had youngsters an older friend gave me some advice "Make your yard the neighborhood playground, you'll always know where your kids are, and what they're doing. They'll also know that mom and dad care and welcome their friends." I put in sandbox, teeter-totter, swing set, and tire swing.
When they outgrew these, I replanted the grass. Never had problems even as teenagers, and both are married and college grads.
Good luck, and remember Kool-Aid is cheap.