If you happen to live close to an area that has sand, even state parks with man-made beaches, you may be able to find a sand pail for sale at a general store. Check gift shops at hotels and visitors centers for sand buckets. A traditional sand pail is brightly colored and has a bendable handle for toting sand around.
Some hardware stores have seasonal sections which contain beach toys and items. You should be able to locate a bucket or pail in the sand toys area. If you can't find a traditional-style sand pail, look around the household section and opt for a three or five gallon bucket with a handle to use in the interim.
Larger grocery stores, those which have general merchandise and seasonal item sections, often have sand buckets available. Many come in kits that include sand molds, rakes and shovels as well. Buying this type of kit, though more costly, will give you or your little one all the tools needed for a day of play in the sand. Again, if you cannot locate a sand pail, head toward the plastic container aisle and purchase a drink pitcher or large plastic bowl, both of which will work in a pinch.
The drugstore's of today sell an assortment of items. The kid's toy section or the seasonal items area, may specifically have sand pails available. If they are not available, look for the cleaning section and purchase a scrub bucket with a handle or head down the foot care aisle and seek out a container used for soaking feet. Though a handle may not be part of such items, the containers alone will work well enough to collect sand.
Craft stores can be a treasure trove of hard to find items -- sand pails included. Since many people use sand pails for crafts such as floral arrangements and beach party decorating, you should be able to find what you need. If no sand pails are available, search the store for a tightly weaved, low-cost basket and use that as a temporary sand bucket.
If all else fails and you must have an actual, traditional, true-to-character sand pail, call a gift shop located in a beach town. Though sand pails are relatively inexpensive items, and you will have to pay shipping, you may save yourself the trouble in the long run by going directly to the king of sand pail stores. Call around until you find a store that will sell you one over the phone and ship it right to your front door.
