Parents often order sand for their children's play areas but be warned: if it is not kept covered, it tends to attract neighboring cats who prefer to bury their droppings in clean, loose sand instead of dirt!

Many yards offer free delivery within a certain radius of their location, with a minimum purchase of five yards. It is also possible to have more than one kind of material delivered at one time.

Sand types

There are four basic kinds of commercial sand.

• Fill Sand: utility sand, coarse, not washed, commonly used underneath paving stones.
• Plaster Sand: clean, coarse sand, primarily used by professionals to make stucco.
• Masonry or White Sand: Clean, fine grained sand used to make mortar. Masonry sand is often requested to use as a base under paving stones for patios or walkways because it is easier to work with than utility sand.
• Play Sand: Used for sandboxes and children's play areas. While other sands contain silica, Play Sand is silica-free making it safe for children.

-- Tips courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com