Building A Backyard Sandbox
There’s no doubt about it, kids love sand – digging, burying, sifting, pouring, shaping, smoothing, and shoveling! Building a sandbox is actually easy enough that the kids can be quite involved in the process. This is an ideal project for Grandpa or Dad and the kids. A sandbox can bring forth hours of fair weather entertainment for your kids. All you have to do is build it, and they will come! To build your sandbox, you will need the following materials and tools:
Materials
- 3 8′- long 2″ x 6″ boards
- 4 1″ x 2″ -18″ wooden stakes
- 40 square feet of WeedBlock Landscape Fabric (can be purchased by the roll)
- 25 – 30 50-lb. bags of play sand (we used 27)
- 4 #10 sinker nails
- 4 2-1/2″ galvanized screws, rust resistant
Tools
- hammer
- sledge hammer
- scissors
- electric screwdriver
- staple gun
- saw (optional)
- Begin by choosing a location that has ample shade to protect your kids from the hot summer sun, while allowing for some sun exposure to allow sand to dry after rainfalls. We chose a spot beneath our largest tree, not far from the back door of the house, a spot which receives wonderfully warm morning sunshine.
- Create the frame by laying two of the 2″ x 6″ boards parallel to each other. Using the saw, cut the third 2″ x 6″ board in half, or have this done at the lumberyard when you purchase the wood. Line the short boards up with the long boards to create a rectangle. Boards should be standing on their sides so that the sides of your box frame are 6″ high. Nail the boards together at each corner evenly.
- When you are certain you have your frame exactly where you want it, spread the weed block inside of the frame, completely covering the ground and coming up the sides. Tuck in any overlapping sides and trim excess with scissors.
- Using the staple gun, secure the weed block to the inside of the wooden frame, keeping the weed block loose. You do not want the weed block tight or it may tear when sand is poured in, or when you step inside to spread the sand. Allow enough give so that you can walk inside the frame without causing damage or stress to the weed block. The weed block protects your sandbox from pesky weeds, and allows for drainage after a rainfall or kid-made rivers and volcanoes. We do not recommend plastic, as it does not allow for drainage.
- Empty the sand into the frame over the top of the weed block. Spread the sand inside the box until it is at the desired level. This is a perfect job for the kids! This could take anywhere from 25 to 30 bags of sand, depending on how high you want the sand to be. Ours took 27 bags.
- Using the sledge hammer, pound the wooden stakes into the ground. Be sure that the stake is flush with the corner of the sandbox. Pound in at least one foot. If there is any stake remaining at the top, saw it off, then secure the stake to the corner of the sandbox with a screw. Sand off the tops of the stakes to avoid splinters.
Voila! You’re done! This project took less than one hour to complete and the children were very involved in the process. When your children have outgrown their sandbox, it can be easily converted into a raised bed as an added feature to your garden.
Seat Option
A seat is one feature that we chose to do without, but may add later on. A seat can be added by purchasing enough 2″ x 6″ or 2″ x 8″ boards (depending on your seat width preference) to go around the frame. Simply secure boards on top of frame by centering them and nailing in place. A seat is also good for keeping the sand from jumping out of the sandbox.
Costs
Our total cost for this sandbox was US$72.98 plus tax. The following were the prices that we paid for our materials. Prices will vary depending on where you are located. Be sure to shop around for the best prices and deals. We do not recommend saving money on the lumber by purchasing untreated wood as your sandbox will not last as long as it would with treated lumber.
2″ x 6″ lumber
@ 3.50 per board x 3 boards = $10.50
1″ x 2″ -18″ wooden stakes
@ 4.94 per bundle x 1 = $4.94
WeedBlock Landscape Fabric
@ 7.68 per roll of 75 sq. ft. x .5 = $3.84
25-30 50-lb. bags of play sand
@ 1.79 per bag x 30 bags = $53.70
Related reading:
Walking the Line: Loving Well and Letting Go – How can parents balance control, guidance, and freedom for their children?
Note From The Author: “A VERY SPECIAL THANKS goes out to my father, Dominic Ovington, of Ovington Home Services, in Chicago, Illinois. This project would not have been possible without his guidance, caring and love for his children and grandchildren. I love you, Dad! Ovington Home Services has been servicing the city of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs for almost 20 years. It includes anything from fixing a doorbell to finishing your basement. All aspects of home repair and remodeling are considered. For a free estimate, call 773-456-2924 or email OvingtonHomeSvc@familycorner.com.
12 Responses to “Building A Backyard Sandbox”
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Funny foto here
Hello. And Bye. :)
very intresting
Very good post, I will give this a try this weekend my kids have always wanted there own sandpit and it would be nice for me to build them one.
I know cost varies greatly by season and location but was surprised to find 50 lb bags of Play Sand at LOWES in Sacramento, CA selling for $4.24/bag — 136% higher than the cost used in this wonderfully written DIY Sandbox article. I’m not ready to spend well over $80 in just sand yet, especially since I was unexpectedly laid-off last month -so my kids had to take a rain check on this worthwhile project.
Call your local gravel/rock/sand folks-they can probably provide sand for a fraction of the cost. Tell them its for a sandbox and they should offer you river washed sand. I believe it is better and safer than the playsand sold in bags (which may contain ground up nasties).
Great Tip mikey!! Thanks for passing that along!
Do you have a photo on what this sandbox looks like once completed? I would like to build a sandbox for my 4 girls, but I am looking for a certain size and a certain look. Thank you for the great instructions!!
Sorry Bobby, we don’t have a picture. It would be a standard rectangle though. What kind of look are you trying to create?
It’s a little odd, I don’t remember giving permission to reprint this article, but it is rather old so I suppose I could have. This article was written in 2000. Anyway, there is a picture of this exact sandbox located on the original article here http://www.familycorner.com/family/leisure/basic_sandbox.shtml
Hi Amanda,
I have a signed reprint agreement from you concerning this article dated June 18, 2005. I would be happy to fax you a copy for your records if you like. Our publication went through a name change a couple of years ago so you might be more familiar with us as Women Today Magazine, Christian Women Today or Retirement with a Purpose. If you have any additional questions please let me know and I will contact you directly.
Claire Colvin
Sr. Ed., Power to Change
Oh ok, yes I remember the agreement with Women Today :) Thanks for clearing that up! You also have permission to use the photo from the original article then, if you would like to grab it.