Sandpit
Asandpit(most Commonwealth countries) orsandbox(US and Canada) is a low, wide container or shallow depression filled with soft (beach)sandin whichchildrencan play. Sharp sand (as used in the building industry) is not suitable for such use. Many homeowners with children build sandpits in theirbackyardsbecause, unlike mostplayground equipment,they can be easily and cheaply constructed.
History
German sand gardens were the first organization of children's play in public spaces.[1][2]The German "sand gardens" were an 1850 offshoot ofFriedrich Fröbel's work on kindergartens.[3]Sand gardens were introduced to America byMarie Elizabeth Zakrzewska,starting in her home city of Boston.[4][5][2][6][7][8][9][10]Inspired by the German sand gardens she observed while visiting Berlin in the summer of 1885.[11][12]Joseph Leeis considered the "founder of the playground movement."[5][13]
Physical description
 |
The "pit", or "box" itself is simply a container for storing the sand so that it does not spread outward acrosslawnsor other surrounding surfaces. Boxes of various shapes are often constructed fromplanks,logs,or other largewoodenframes 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 fromplasticorwoodand are often shaped like ananimalor 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 inday carefacilities. Materials other than sand are also often used, such asoatmeal,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 awood chipmixture, as it is cheaper. It also prevents health risks, such asringworm,that would potentially come from traditional sandboxes, due to other animals, such asraccoons,being able to use the sandpits, and spreading parasites.[14]
See also
References
- ^"How We Came to Play: The History of Playgrounds – National Trust for Historic Preservation".
- ^ab"The Garden and the Playground – Playscapes".29 August 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 24 October 2020.Retrieved5 June2018.
- ^Lange, Alexandra (18 June 2018)."An Intellectual History of the Sandbox".Slate.Retrieved18 June2018.
- ^"What is a Sandpit? The History of Sandpits".biggamehunters.co.uk.Retrieved12 September2018.
- ^ab"How the American playground was born in Boston – The Boston Globe".The Boston Globe.
- ^"blank".prm.nau.edu.Archived fromthe originalon 23 January 2021.Retrieved5 June2018.
- ^"The History of Playing Outdoors – Nature Explore Program".22 May 2014.
- ^"The Story of the Sand Pile (1886) – Nature Explore Program".24 April 2014.
- ^"A Brief History of the Sandbox – Playscapes".29 November 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 26 October 2020.Retrieved5 June2018.
- ^"U.S. Playground movement: Architektur für Kinder".architekturfuerkinder.ch.Archived fromthe originalon 3 May 2019.Retrieved5 June2018.
- ^Rainwater, Clarence Elmer (22 August 2018)."The Play Movement in the United States: A Study of Community Recreation".University of Chicago Press.
- ^"Sand Gardens".pgpedia.
- ^"Boston sand garden"(PDF).hnr.k-state.edu.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 29 October 2020.Retrieved5 June2018.
- ^"Health hazards lurking in the sandbox".cbsnews.27 April 2016.Retrieved27 October2021.
External links
Media related toSandboxesat Wikimedia Commons- Example of Wooden Sand Pit / Sand Box
