We used a tarp too!

You will have to have a strurdy cover, if not it will continue to be a problem. No more than sand cost I too would get new sand. Wormy kids yuck, been there lol

My boys spent literally hours in the sandbox with their farm toys , much better than being inside with the tv all day :)

We have a sandbox that currently has.... well, let's just say it's "full!" lol! Stray cats and who knows what else apparently used it all winter. Dh is going to be digging it all out and replacing it with fresh sand (sand is cheap) and we will definitely be covering it with a tarp from now on!

i think i would make a simple frame and staple screening material to it. you can get screening at home depot or lowes. it is softer than regular screening..won't tear.(used for replacement on doors) i think it is on a roll.

Had the same problem, dh make a small sandbox (portable) we would put it out for my GD and bring it in the garage when she was through playing..liked it because she wasn't sitting in it, but was playing off a card table. Worked real good!

Go to your local hardware store & purchase enough chicken wire or hardware cloth to make a cover. They can't use it then.

When we had an outdoor sandbox, we used 1/4 inch plywood cut to fit the top of the box.
Hubby put hinges on one side, and brass handles on the top on the other side. The boys could lift the top, flip it over and play as much as they wanted. The cover kept the neighbor hood cats and debris from the trees out of the sand, AND the wind would not blow it up or away.
Good luck with your project.
Susan

I made a cover for my grandson's out of sunbrella and daughter velcroed it to the box - made of wood using staple gun. Could use industrial velcor which sticks on if it is plastic.

This is a UK site, so you may not want to order, but is a simple idea.

http://www.activetoy.co.uk/products/...sandbox_cover/

If you use screening to cover it, use the PET quality kind at Lowe's of Home Depot. It is wonderful screening. My outdoor cats climb it all the time and it holds up to the claws and climbing of several cats. It is black in color. It comes in rolls and says pet screen on it. The screen attached to lattace sounds best to me to use. Good luck, take care.
Linda