sandpit

German sand gardens were the first organization of children's play in public spaces.{{cite web|url=https://savingplaces.org/stories/how-we-came-to-play-the-history-of-playgrounds/|title=How We Came to Play: The History of Playgrounds – National Trust for Historic Preservation}}{{cite web|url=http://www.play-scapes.com/play-design/natural-playgrounds/the-garden-and-the-playground/|title=The Garden and the Playground – Playscapes|date=29 August 2012|access-date=5 June 2018|archive-date=24 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024130059/http://www.play-scapes.com/play-design/natural-playgrounds/the-garden-and-the-playground/|url-status=dead}} The German "sand gardens" were an 1850 offshoot of Friedrich Fröbel's work on kindergartens.{{cite news |last1=Lange |first1=Alexandra |title=An Intellectual History of the Sandbox |url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2018/06/history-of-the-sandbox-the-origins-of-a-playground-for-kids-and-ideas.html |access-date=18 June 2018 |work=Slate |date=18 June 2018}} Sand gardens were introduced to America by Marie Elizabeth Zakrzewska, starting in her home city of Boston.{{Cite web|url=https://www.biggamehunters.co.uk/acatalog/History-of-Sandpits.html|title=What is a Sandpit? The History of Sandpits|website=www.biggamehunters.co.uk|access-date=12 September 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2014/03/28/how-american-playground-was-born-boston/5i2XrMCjCkuu5521uxleEL/story.html|title=How the American playground was born in Boston – The Boston Globe|website=The Boston Globe}}{{cite web|url=http://www.prm.nau.edu/prm346-old/sand_garden.htm|title=blank|website=www.prm.nau.edu|access-date=5 June 2018|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123073305/http://www.prm.nau.edu/prm346-old/sand_garden.htm|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://natureexplore.org/the-history-of-playing-outdoors/|title=The History of Playing Outdoors – Nature Explore Program|date=22 May 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://natureexplore.org/the-story-of-the-sand-pile-1886/|title=The Story of the Sand Pile (1886) – Nature Explore Program|date=24 April 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.play-scapes.com/play-history/pre-1900/a-brief-history-of-the-sandbox/|title=A Brief History of the Sandbox – Playscapes|date=29 November 2009|access-date=5 June 2018|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026152902/http://www.play-scapes.com/play-history/pre-1900/a-brief-history-of-the-sandbox/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.architekturfuerkinder.ch/index.php/geschichte/ueberblick-usa/|title=U.S. Playground movement : Architektur für Kinder|website=www.architekturfuerkinder.ch|access-date=5 June 2018|archive-date=3 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503215147/http://architekturfuerkinder.ch/index.php/geschichte/ueberblick-usa/|url-status=dead}} Inspired by the German sand gardens she observed while visiting Berlin in the summer of 1885.{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P4YYAAAAYAAJ&q=sand+1885&pg=PA22|title=The Play Movement in the United States: A Study of Community Recreation|first=Clarence Elmer|last=Rainwater|date=22 August 2018|publisher=University of Chicago Press}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pgpedia.com/s/sand-gardens|title=Sand Gardens|website=www.pgpedia.com}} Joseph Lee from Boston is considered the "founder of the playground movement."{{cite web |url=http://hnr.k-state.edu/doc/rres-210/boston-sand-gardens.pdf |title=Boston sand garden |website=hnr.k-state.edu |access-date=5 June 2018 |archive-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029163151/https://hnr.k-state.edu/doc/rres-210/boston-sand-gardens.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{clarify|date=May 2025}}

{{unreferenced section|date=October 2021}}

The "pit", or "box" itself is simply a container for storing the sand so that it does not spread outward across lawns or other surrounding surfaces. Boxes of various shapes are often constructed from planks, logs, or other large wooden frames that allow children easy access to the sand and also provide a convenient place to sit. Small sandpits are also available commercially. These are usually made from plastic or wood and are often shaped like an animal or other objects familiar to children.

They sometimes also have lids to cover the sand when not in use, so that passing animals cannot contaminate the sand by urinating or defecating in it. Having lids also prevents the sand in outdoor sandpits from getting wet when it rains, although some dampness is often desirable as it helps the sand hold together. Prefabricated sandpits may also be used indoors, especially in day care facilities. Materials other than sand are also often used, such as oatmeal, which are necessarily non-toxic and light enough to easily vacuum up.

Sandpits can have a solid bottom or they can be built directly onto the soil. The latter allows free drainage (which is useful if the top is open) but can lead to contamination of the sand with soil if the children dig down to the ground.

The sand gets dirty over time and is eventually replaced. Many schools and playgrounds in North America have replaced sand around play structures with a wood chip mixture, as it is cheaper. It also prevents health risks, such as ringworm, that would potentially come from traditional sandboxes, due to other animals, such as raccoons, being able to use the sandpits, and spreading parasites.{{Cite web|title=Health hazards lurking in the sandbox|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/health-hazards-lurking-in-the-sandbox/|access-date=2021-10-27|website=www.cbsnews.com|date=27 April 2016 |language=en-US}}

• Borrow pit
• Japanese rock garden
• Outdoor playset
• Sand art and play

{{Reflist}}

{{Wiktionary|sandpit}}

• {{Commons category-inline|Sandboxes}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110610200102/http://www.breswaoutdoorfurniture.co.nz/kumeushow.htm Example of Wooden Sand Pit / Sand Box]

{{Authority control}}

Category:Childhood

Category:Playground equipment

Category:Sand

Category:Play (activity)