An outdoor sand pit becomes a permanent backyard feature — bigger than a portable plastic pit, weather-resistant, and built to stay in place year-round. Our outdoor range covers larger timber-framed pits, weather-treated plastic units, sand pits with seating and shade canopies, and combination play units with sand and water zones. Outdoor sand pits from $80, with most family-sized installations between $150 and $350. Stock is held across our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane warehouses, dispatching within 1–2 business days.
Where should an outdoor sand pit go in the backyard?
Three things decide the best spot: shade, drainage, and tree cover. Half-day shade (morning sun, afternoon shade) is ideal — full sun makes the sand too hot to play in by midday in summer. Drainage matters because a sand pit in a low spot turns into a muddy pond after rain; pick a slightly raised area or build the pit up on a base of gravel. Avoid placing under trees that drop leaves, blossom or fruit — these contaminate the sand and need raking out daily. A spot near the house also helps with supervision; sand pits at the back of the yard get less use simply because the kids are out of sight.
What types of outdoor sand pits are available?
| Type |
Best for |
Size |
Price guide |
| Timber-framed pit |
Permanent backyard |
1.2–2m square |
$120–$300 |
| Pit with bench seats |
Group play |
1.5–2m hexagonal |
$180–$350 |
| Pit with canopy or shade |
Sunny yards |
1.2–1.8m |
$200–$400 |
| Sand-and-water combo |
Variety play |
1m+ |
$150–$350 |
| Heavy-duty plastic |
Lower-maintenance |
1.2–1.8m |
$120–$250 |
Timber or plastic — which lasts longer outdoors?
Both work for outdoor sand pits, but they fail in different ways. Pressure-treated pine timber lasts 5–8 years in Australian conditions before the corner joints loosen and the timber starts to split — longer if you re-stain it every 2–3 years. Heavy-duty UV-stabilised plastic lasts 8–10 years and needs no maintenance, but the colours fade and the plastic becomes brittle at the edges over time. Hardwood timber (spotted gum, ironbark) lasts 10–15 years or more but costs significantly more. For most backyards, treated pine is the practical choice; for shaded or undercover positions, plastic suits because UV is less of a factor.
Quick buyer's checklist
-
Position: Half-day shade, away from leaf-dropping trees
-
Drainage: Raised position or gravel base under the pit
-
Cover: Essential — keeps out cats, rain, leaves and debris
-
Size: 1.2–1.5m for one or two kids, 1.5–2m-plus for groups
-
Material: Treated pine for budget, hardwood for longevity
-
Sand quantity: Plan for 200–400kg of washed play sand
How much sand does an outdoor sand pit need?
Sand quantity scales with pit size. A 1m x 1m pit at 20cm depth holds about 200kg of sand. A 1.5m x 1.5m pit at 20cm holds 450kg. A 2m x 2m pit at 20cm holds 800kg. Most outdoor pits run 15–25cm deep; deeper is better for digging but uses more sand. Buy washed play sand by the cubic metre from a landscape supplier — usually $80–150 delivered, which fills a 1.5m x 1.5m pit at 20cm depth. Bagged sand from a hardware store at $5–8 per 20kg works out more expensive per cubic metre but suits smaller pits.
How much do outdoor sand pits cost in Australia?
Outdoor sand pits at Simple Deals start from $80 for smaller fixed pits. Most family-sized timber-framed and seated pits sit between $150 and $350, with shade-canopy and combination units running higher. Sand is sold separately. All units dispatch within 1–2 business days from our Australian warehouses.
What most sites won't admit
Almost every outdoor sand pit sold online in Australia is imported from China or Vietnam — including ours. The real difference is not where the pit is made, it's what happens after it lands in Australia. Marketplaces dropship straight from overseas containers, which is why "fast delivery" stretches into six weeks. We import in bulk, hold stock across our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane warehouses, and ship from there.
The other thing nobody mentions: pit corners are the failure point. Most outdoor sand pits fail at the corner joints, not in the middle of the timbers. Cheap pits use plain butt joints with two screws; better pits use mitred corners with brackets or galvanised L-brackets. Check the corner construction in photos before buying — a $50 difference in price between similar-looking pits is usually in the joinery.
Frequently asked questions
What if my sand pit arrives damaged?
Contact us within 7 days with photos. We will arrange a replacement or refund under the 12-month warranty. Transit damage is uncommon with flat-pack timber pits.
Does the sand pit come with sand?
No — sand is not included. Buy washed play sand from a hardware store ($5–8 per 20kg bag) or by the cubic metre delivered from a landscape supplier ($80–150).
How long does assembly take?
Plastic units: 15–30 minutes. Timber-framed pits: 45–90 minutes. Pits with seats and canopies: 90–150 minutes. Tools and instructions are included.
How long does delivery take?
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane: 3–5 business days. Perth and Adelaide: 5–8 days. Regional and remote areas: 7–14 days.
Can I pay with Afterpay, Zip or PayPal?
Yes, all three. A $250 outdoor sand pit works out to four payments of $62.50 with Afterpay, four payments of $62.50 with PayPal Pay in 4, or roughly $21 a month with Zip over 12 months. Klarna is also available.
What's the warranty?
12 months on manufacturing defects, plus 15-day returns on unassembled pits in original packaging.
Complete the outdoor play setup
An outdoor sand pit is the quiet-play centrepiece, and a few pieces round out the backyard. Most parents add three at the same time: a cubby house for shaded pretend play, a kids' slide for active play, and an inflatable for occasional big play days.
Why us
Simple Deals — family-run since 2018. Australian warehouse stock. Support on 1300 456 786. Afterpay, Zip, Klarna and PayPal. 12-month warranty, 15-day returns. 4.66★ from 5,363 verified reviews.
