This vibrant plastic shell has been a fixture in Australian gardens since the 1990s, cherished by families for its adaptability and nostalgic appeal.

Parents often fill these shells with sand for kids to enjoy building castles, while others repurpose them as impromptu pools, pet baths, or even large coolers for parties, complete with ice and beverages.

Many enthusiasts tout the shell as the ultimate summer trick, with some opting to purchase a pair—using one as a sandbox and the other as a cover to deter possums and cats overnight.

Some fans insist the shell is ‘the ultimate summer hack’, with many buying two – one as a play pit, the other as a lid to keep out possums and cats overnight.

‘Not only are they amazing sandpits and pools, but they make the most incredible sensory trays for engaging summer sensory play,’ one parent shared.

Another joked: ‘In the time it would take me to set that up my daughter would have harassed the dog, jumped in the toilet and fallen off the flat floor.’

Others admitted their purchase was fuelled by nostalgia as much as practicality.

‘My inner child feels so happy with this! This would have been so much fun to explore,’ one shopper wrote.

Bunnings shoppers are rushing to stores after the hardware giant quietly restocked one of its most nostalgic summer essentials – the Clam Shell Sandpit, priced at just $14.70

The brightly coloured plastic shell, a staple in Aussie backyards since the 1990s, has long been a favourite with families for its versatility

The shells, which are portable, stackable and easy to hose down, have a reputation for selling out quickly whenever Bunnings brings them back

The shells, which are portable, stackable and easy to hose down, have a reputation for selling out quickly whenever Bunnings brings them back.

‘I tried to get one last time they were released, but all my local stores were sold out,’ one shopper complained.

Another added: ‘I’ve been eyeing these off for ages. Hanging to get one because they’re so cute.’

Others are hoping the craze spreads beyond Australia.

‘Can you send them to New Zealand stores please?’ one person asked.

While designed as sandpits, the clam shells have been embraced in all sorts of ways.

Families have filled them with toys and water for toddlers, turned them into dog pools, or even used them as outdoor coolers for summer barbecues.

‘I want to use mine as a little pool,’ one shopper wrote.

A second said: ‘They’re fantastic for dogs, too – our furry friends love splashing about in them.’

With summer just around the corner, demand is expected to surge once again.

Parents are being warned to cover them at night to keep out curious neighbourhood animals – and to act fast if they want to secure one before shelves are cleared.