Replacing faded and cracked sand toys year after year is a waste of time and money. Purchasing high quality sand toys for kids once saves money and prevents pounds of worthless, broken plastic from entering the landfill. In this post, discover the best sand toys for kids of all ages.
RELATED: The Best Outdoor Toys for Kids
The Best Sand Toys for Kids
On hot summer days, we love to pack a bag and head for the lake. My boys could spend all day splashing in the cool water and digging in the sand. And as cliché as this might sound, I get to relax in a beach chair with a good book. On days like this, a broken sand toy can be a major bummer for kids…and parents!
About eight years ago, I purchased our first—and only—round of sand toys. The toys shared below have lasted through hard play with two boys, many little friends, and twelve incredible summers.
Buy sand toys once and enjoy them for years to come!
Basic Sand Toys for Kids
The best basic sand toys for digging, dumping, and shaping sand.
- Melissa & Doug Sand Wheel and Sifter – Like most sand wheels, this one works best with water or dry sand. It is durable and large!
- Spielstabil Large Sand Toys Bundle – This 4-piece set includes a pail, sieve, and 2 scoops. It’s strong and thick.
- Hape Master Bricklayer Beach and Sand Toy Set – Perfect for building sand castles! It’s also perfect for the snow.
- HABA Sand Toys Basic Set – Durable and perfect for little hands!
- Green Toys Sand Play Set – This was the first sand play set I purchased for my kids. Twelve incredibly active years later, it is in practically perfect condition. If you are going to invest in sand toys for your children, this set is a must-have!
- Hape Mighty Shovel – When we bring our sand toys to local parks and beaches, the other kids always go for our Hape Mighty Shovels. My boys grudgingly share them!
- HABA Sand Bucket Scooper – Perfect for preschoolers!
- Spielstabil Bucket Mill – This toys lasts a long time and is perfect for toddlers!
Imaginative Play
Shared below are our favorite beach/sandbox toys for imaginative play.
- Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Seaside Sidekicks Sand Cupcake Set – This set is so much fun for imaginary play. Be prepared for an all you can eat sand cupcake buffet!
- Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Speck Seahorse Sand Ice Cream Set – This play set is my favorite! I could scoop sand ice cream all day!
- Toysmith Get Outside Go! Bag of Bones Beach Playset – This toy is so unique! My kids enjoyed pretending they were searching for pirate skeletons!
- Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Seaside Sidekicks Sand Baking Set – I love the bright measuring cups, whisk, and spoon included with this set.
- Safari LTD Knights and Dragons – My boys like these litttle characters for their sand castles.
- Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Seaside Sidekicks Sand Cookie-Baking Set – Forget the kids…I want to play with this all afternoon!
- Green Toy Dish Set – We love to bring this dish set to the beach for imaginative play.
- HABA Sand Drill – Such a fun way for kids to drill holes and pretend play as a construction worker!
Vehicles and Boats
For the beach, park, or lake, we really prefer our Green Toys vehicles. Made from strong recycled plastic, they float in water and resist cracking and fading.
- Green Toys Dump Truck – Suited for outdoor play, this truck awesomely carries sand, rocks, or whatever your kiddo wants it to!
- Green Toys Tractor – Perfect for towing sand, pebbles, and shells.
- Green Toys Seacopter – Perfect for land or water. It floats too!
- Green Toys Ferry Boat with Mini Cars – This toy is so cute! My youngest guy loves driving the mini cars into the ferry and floating it off into the lake.
- Green Toys Construction Vehicles – These vehicles are perfect for little hands!
- Green Toys Seaplane – A plane that flies, floats, and drives? Just awesome.
- HABA Sand Play Tanker Truck – Such a fun way for kids to transport water to their sand builds!
- Green Toys My First Tugboat – We keep one in our bathtub for play and shampoo rinsing, and one in our bag of sand toys!
More Gift Guides for Kids
Looking for more creative gift ideas? Click the links below to view more of our favorite toys, books, and games for kids.
- Our Top Holiday Toys (Ages 3–6)
- How to Make a Boo Basket
- Sticks and Stones Outdoor Activity Book for Kids
- The Best Building Toys for Kids
Save This Post
Save this idea on Pinterest using the image below!
Originally published June 2014.
Elizabeth says
thanks for the great ideas! I will keep these in mind, when I am buying birthday gifts this summer 🙂
Rebekah says
I can’t thank you enough for this list! I’ve LITERALLY been looking for the Hape Mighty Shovel for a year, and no one could remember where our preschool got it from 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Fireflies and Mud Pies says
You are welcome! All the toys on that list are the BEST!