How to Build a Sandbox
How to Build a Sandbox
Children love adventures in sandboxes and there is no end to the fun; water battles to fairy castles, all come to life in a sea of sand. Building and locating the sandbox, however, takes some careful consideration if the sandbox is to offer all the needed accessories and safety options.
Key Location
Finding a good location for the sandbox is one of the more important aspects of the whole process. If you have a large yard your options are increased. A smaller space may necessitate a bit more creativity in placing the sandbox. Think about how much sun your child can take - too much sun can be trouble down the road. If you’re considering a spot under a tree then you may have to avoid tree roots and trash from the tree which could get into the sandbox. However, a low tree will allow kids to jump into the sand pile. Lastly, the sandbox should be visible to you while you work.
Layout Considerations
Once you have found the sandbox location, lay out the shape of the sandbox with some stakes and twine. Remember that the majority of the space you layout and excavate will be filled with sand (8×8′=50-50lbs bags.) Also remember a full board length requires less cutting.
After the sandbox space has been laid out, dig out the sandbox to about one foot deep. This will help the sandbox walls stay upright. If you can avoid cutting tree roots it would be preferable. Once the space has been dug, try to make it as level as possible and cover it with a weed fabric. Make sure the fabric will let water go through but keep weeds at bay. You do not want a sandbox of quicksand.
Assembly Aspects
Start the assembly with two of the side wall boards. The wall will be comprised of two earth-touching boards about 10-12 inches wide and 1 inch thick. Start with the two which will form the first layer. Make a 90 degree angle with the boards. Cut two blocks (for a total of eight when done) for a corner attachment inside the box, allowing for a bit of overlap from one set of the boards. Screw the attachments (1.25 inch galvanized screws) to the boards and the boards to each other. Lay these boards into the hole that was dug to begin the walls of the sandbox. Do the same for the other sides and repeat with the second layer of wall boards. Be sure to check for a square shape by measuring corner to corner in both directions. They should be the same measurement to indicate the box is square.
To add a bit of support between the corners cut 12 stakes each about 10 inches long. Drive one at the mid-point between the corners and then one halfway from that point to the corners. Screw these stakes to the side walls.
Adding Sand
There are two types of sand - river sand and contractors’ sand. Choose the river sand. The river sand is a bit more ‘washed’ and will be cleaner than the contractors’ sand.