A sandpit in the garden is a magnet for children during the day, but it can be just as appealing to visiting cats once everyone has gone indoors. Soft, loose sand makes an obvious choice for a passing cat, and it rarely takes long before the local wildlife discovers a new spot to use.
A simple cover, whether a fitted lid or a length of sturdy fabric weighted at the edges, makes the biggest difference of all. Popping it over the sandpit each evening, once play has finished for the day, keeps the sand looking inviting for children rather than for anything else that might wander through the garden overnight.
Choosing a cover that actually works
A cover that is easy enough to remove each morning is far more likely to be used consistently than one that becomes a fiddly task in itself. Something lightweight, yet secure enough not to blow away overnight, strikes the right balance between convenience and reliability for most households.
Raking the sand over every so often, even with the cover in place, helps keep it looking fresh and encourages children to enjoy it without a second thought. A quick check first thing in the morning, before anyone starts digging in, is always a sensible habit to keep.
A quick word with neighbours who also let their cats roam outdoors can sometimes help too, particularly if the sandpit sits close to a shared boundary or a well-used route between gardens.
Placing the sandpit a little further from fences or walls, where cats often like to pass along the top, can also make it a slightly less convenient stop on their usual rounds through the garden.
With a simple cover and a regular routine, a sandpit can stay a pleasant spot for play rather than an unwelcome discovery each morning. It takes only moments to put in place each evening, yet it saves considerably more time and bother later on.
