3.24.2012

Sandbox Step-by-Step

I'm told that MacKenzie already mentioned our new sandbox, but I thought I'd discuss the construction process a little bit. We decided to make a 6' x 6' box (enough room to hold multiple children) based somewhat on this design, so I bought four 2" x 6" x 12' cedar boards, and cut them all in half, to make a box with 12" tall sides. First I put four half-boards together with 2.5" deck screws to make a square. Then I primed and painted the square (I elevated the square on paint cans and did this now so I wouldn't have to paint it when it is sitting on the ground).


I also attached weed-control fabric to the bottom of the square with staples. My raised garden beds have had some issues with grass growing in them, and I don't want that in the sandbox, so I did this. The tutorial at the link above actually involved making a wooden bottom, but I thought that was excessive, especially since it rains a lot here, and I want the water to be able to drain.

I dug out the grass where the sandbox was to be placed, to further reduce the likelihood of grass issues.


Then I put the square in place, and pounded an 18" wooden stake into the ground, inside the square, at each corner. I left 5.5" of stake protruding above the square, and screwed each stake to the square with 1.5" screws. Then I put built another square atop the existing one, attaching the boards to each other at the corners, and then to the stake. Then I painted everything (all boards got one coat of primer and two of high-gloss paint).


After this was done, I added 24 bags of sand to the box (1200 lbs. worth, to make it 4" deep), with a bit of guidance.



Finally, I added seats in two of the corners, so mom and dad have a place to sit while Lucy plays in the sand.


MacKenzie would like a cover over this, to keep cats out. I want to allow rain to get in the box, to keep the sand moist, so I'll make a cover with hardware cloth and a frame of 1" x 2" x 6' wood strips, or something like that.

If you love this sandbox, feel free to stick it up on Pinterest. No really, I insist.

Update: I made a cover for the sandbox, something that will keep out critters but allow rain and sunshine to enter. I used 1" x 4" cedar boards, poultry wire, and staples. I just lay it on the box, and set it aside when it is playtime.





4 comments :

  1. A great job! It's officially Pinned AND I'm going to send the link to my husband b/c he just said the other day that he'd like to build a sandbox for Lew. Although, he's not super handy--how difficult would you rate it on a scale from 1 (beginner) to 10 (expert)? Also, I was researching raised beds and what type of wood to use--did you use cedar for both projects?

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  2. This is pretty easy (maybe a 3). I can elaborate on any of these instructions if you'd like.

    We used cedar for both this and the garden beds. It costs a little more than pressure-treated lumber (PTL), but we wanted to stay away from whatever chemicals might be in the PTL. Cedar, I believe, also holds up better outdoors. As for cutting the boards, you can normally get them to do it for you at the store/lumberyard. That's what I did.

    Here's a raised bed tutorial. I used the same principles to build the sandbox.

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  3. Thank you very much! Between your tutorial and the Pioneer Woman one, surely (surely!) he/we can figure it out. Maybe I'll do the raised bed and he can do the sandbox.

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