How to Build a Super Easy Awesome Sandbox

From time immemorial kids have loved a sandbox.

For playing, learning, building, wallowing, nothing beats clean, white sand for an outdoor play area.

Perhaps you have priced the tiny plastic sandbox shaped like a turtle or the complicated structures that can be purchased from a specialty outdoor shop. The cost can be prohibitive and the quality lacking.

For the best sandbox ever, take a look at these simple steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shovel
• Rake
• Railroad timbers or landscape timbers
• Builder’s Sand
• Tarp
• Porous ground cover (optional)
• Sandbox toys

1. Determine the location for your sandbox. It should provide shade from a long summer day’s relentless sun, but also allow the warmth of some sunshine on a cooler, wintry day.
   
   An ideal spot might have trees nearby but not directly overhead. Leaf debris can add to the problem of keeping the sandbox clean. Falling branches can pose a safety issue, and if you have ever heard the distinct “thunk” of a large green pinecone hitting the ground, you can imagine the danger there.
   
   Fairly level ground is also a plus. While a perfectly level sandbox is not critical, construction on a dramatic slope could require extra digging and shoring up.

2. Clear the area of grass and debris.
   
   Dig a bit of sod with grass that you would like to transplant. Otherwise, simply dig deep enough to clear away roots, rocks and other objects that might be problematic.

3. 
   Lots of large toys with plenty of room to play

   If you have ample room, do not limit your child to a small enclosure.
   
   Large toy trucks, tractors, and sand castles can take up a lot of space. Make the space as large as you can afford and fit into the landscape.
   
   The original width of uncut timbers makes a great, roomy sandbox.

4. 
   Lay timbers with corners meeting to shape the square

   Once the ground is cleared and moderately level lay down your perimeter timbers.
   
   I recommend old railroad ties if they can be found. These provide an area wide enough for sitting on, as well as a sturdy base. Building supply stores or landscaping stores usually carry new and/or used railroad timbers.
   
   You might consider railroad ties a bit cumbersome to work with, as they are extremely heavy and require more than one person to lift and position. They might need to be cut to fit a smaller area, and this would require a chain saw or other cutting tools. If you can manage them, however, they make a perfect border, particularly if you can use them at their uncut length.
   
   An alternative might be landscape timbers, which are smaller, more lightweight, and easier to cut if needed. The only drawback with these timbers might be the need to nail two or more together to achieve a good height and width for your borders.
   
   Position the timbers so that the corners meet to form a square.

5. You may want to apply a POROUS groundcover before adding sand. Do not use a solid tarp or other impenetrable material, as water would not be able to drain away.
   
   My grandson always liked to be able to reach the “good black dirt” underneath the sand. So we did not use a ground cover for his sandbox.

6. Fill the sandbox with clean, white builder’s sand. This can be purchased in bags at your local building supply store (for a small sandbox construction) or in bulk from a construction supply site. Contact a concrete or cement provider, or perhaps a building contractor, to locate builder’s sand.
   
   You could arrange delivery from the provider, but they usually prefer to deliver only full truckloads. Perhaps you know someone in construction who might be willing to provide a partial load.
   
   You can also, as we did, drive a truck to the site and have the amount you need loaded. Then simply shovel the sand into your prepared sandbox.
   
   Bear in mind that sand seems to disappear over time. Load in a mounded pile at first. Your child will love playing in the mound for a while, and it will gradually spread out. *This also saves you a bit of shoveling!

7. Cats love a sandbox. Thunderstorms and wind can dump debris into the sandbox.
   
   An inexpensive tarp just larger than the top of your sandbox provides ample protection from the elements and animals. Weight it down at the corners with bricks, or lay spare landscape timbers up against the edges of the sandbox sides to secure the tarp.

8. 
   Read a book, enjoy a glass of wine, while you yet share your child’s sandbox play

   Add a myriad of toys and digging implements. Draw up a comfortable chair nearby and enjoy the benefits and joys of your worthwhile labors.

Tips & Warnings

• For a more elaborate shape, use more than four timbers. For example, six timbers form a hexagon shape, etc.
• These unusual shapes will not align the corners of the timbers perfectly. You may either leave an angled space between the ends of the timbers, or cut matching angles to fit together smoothly.
• Some people might fear the use of treated timbers. Over time the creosote or other treating chemicals could leach into the ground. The effect on the environment, however, is minimal. Naturally you would want to discourage young toddlers from putting bits of wood into their mouth, regardless of the nature of the wood.

[hnatalieann]

on 11/30/2009 Great article,sounds like fun for me and the kids! 5*'s and recommended

[rcryder]

on 9/19/2009 good job. 5*'s

[highcloud]

on 9/14/2009 I am printing this one out!! When my grandson is big ehough, I can build him a sandbox!!! 5*

[harvard]

on 9/6/2009 If I had this article and a time machine my past would have many less scars. There certainly is a right way and a wrong way to do things and your article makes this crystal clear in plain English. Don't underestimate the evils of building a bad sandbox. An ounce of protection.... do yourself a favor; read this article for your kid's sake. Thank you.

[civilwrites]

on 8/28/2009 I can't wait to build this! What a great idea! Thanks!