DIY sandbox with lid and roof. DIY sandbox: a complete guide with photo ideas. Tools and materials

Fussing in the sand is an indispensable attribute of children's summer happiness. And if there is no shortage of sandboxes in urban courtyards, then in personal plot the child runs the risk of getting bored without the usual entertainment. If your baby is growing up, it's time to start building a sandbox on country yard. We tell you how to design and build a functional and durable sandbox with a lid with your own hands.

Sandbox with lid: design features

When starting construction, think through the main details in advance, starting with size. The sandbox should be deep and roomy enough so that a one-and-a-half-year-old baby can climb into it without any problems, but so that even a five-year-old child doesn’t feel cramped there. Dimensions of 1.5 m x 1.5 m are suitable for this purpose: such a sandbox will not take up much space and can comfortably accommodate 3-4 children.

Calculate the height of the structure so that the sand layer is at least 15 cm. Do not forget to leave space on top for sitting. With a board width of 12 cm, you can build a sandbox using two boards, that is, 24 cm high. This is quite enough for the child to not only sculpt Easter cakes on his “construction site”, but also build a sand castle.

But does the sandbox need a lid? For those who love order and care about the health of children, the answer is obvious.

The cover protects the sand:

from being scattered throughout the territory;
from excessive getting wet during rain;
from debris, branches, rotten fruits;
from the encroachments of dogs and cats, arrange a toilet there.

The lid will protect the sand from contamination and become a convenient bench

The simplest cover is a shield made from boards, which is used to cover the sandbox after the game. It is the easiest to make, but such a cover is very heavy and bulky, it takes up additional space on the site during the day, and it is quite difficult to move it from place to place. Therefore, we suggest choosing a transforming lid: its construction will take more time, but the result will be justified.

Build a lid that, when opened, turns into a table and/or a comfortable bench with a back: not only will the child like them, but they will also entice adults to join him.

Design of a transforming sandbox (photo gallery)

Where to begin

To begin with, you should stock up on materials and tools. We offer a list of the minimum essentials that you cannot do without.

Building materials:
Boards: to build a frame 1.5 m x 1.5 m, you will need two pieces with dimensions of 32x120x6000 mm; for the lid, two boards with dimensions 20x120x6000 mm.
Beam 2 pieces 50x50x1000 mm for fastening the body and the back of the lid.
Agrofibre 1600x1600 mm for lining the bottom.
Door hinges 6-8 pieces. To obtain a more reliable design, use wicket hinges.
Self-tapping screws.
Staples.

Wood impregnation, stain, paint.

Tools:
saw (jigsaw);
screwdriver;
stapler; device for grinding (plane, grinder + grinding wheel, sandpaper
and so on.);

roulette.

Construction step by step

Let's start with building the frame. To do this, we cut the boards into the sections we need. With a standard length of 6 m, we divide each board into four equal sections, which ensures waste-free production. We carefully plan and sand the boards to achieve smooth surface

. We definitely don't need splinters in the sandbox. To make the sandbox last a long time, treat the boards with a solution against fungi and rot. An antiseptic will provide protection against pests and extend the life of the product.

We saw the timber into four equal pieces of 25 cm each and sanded them.

We assemble the sandbox body, fastening it with timber

We assemble a two-tier building from eight boards, fastening the boards in the corners with timber. We carefully drive the heads of the self-tapping screws (nails, screws) so that they do not protrude beyond the surface of the board and timber. Glue a strip of self-adhesive sealant between the boards, then sand will not spill into the cracks.

Having measured the dimensions of the resulting frame with maximum accuracy, we begin to manufacture the transforming lid. You can make a table on one side of the sandbox and a bench on the other, or you can place two benches opposite each other. Let's consider the first option.

Transformable sandbox with bench and table

We attach the first board to the sandbox with self-tapping screws, the second one is attached to the first using two door hinges. This way we can adjust the size of the table and make it wider if necessary.

For the bench we will need six identical boards, two of which will go to the seat, two to the back and two to attach to the frame. How it should look is shown in the diagram:

Sandbox bench diagram

We screw the hinges to the outside of the lid so that the inner strips bend when opening upwards. To fasten and fix the backrest, use a sanded beam. Calculate its length so that when opening the lid it provides a stable support for the backrest.

The beam should provide good support for the backrest

Important: to prevent the hinges from rusting, paint them on both sides before installation.

If you actively use the sandbox, the self-tapping screws may not be enough to securely fasten the hinges: if you open/close them frequently, they quickly begin to fall out. For greater reliability, use bolts for fixation.

To prevent your baby from getting carried away with sandy excavations and start digging from the depths, make a bottom in the sandbox. It will not allow not only the soil, but also unwanted insects and plants to penetrate into the clean sifted sand. For the bottom, dense agrofibre with high moisture permeability is suitable, which will prevent stagnation of water in the sandbox.

Stretch the agrofibre along the bottom of the sandbox and secure with staples around the perimeter.

DIY sandbox (video)

Installation and care

Choose a suitable place on the territory. Do not place the sandbox on open area to avoid overheating and sunburn during the all-consuming game. It is better to install the structure in partial shade - from a house, fence or bushes. Make sure in advance that during the midday hours the place for the future sandbox is protected from the sun.

In the selected area, dig a flat pit 3-5 cm deep. more area sandbox so that she can easily “sit” in it. You can make a gravel pile around it.

If you want the sandbox to be installed thoroughly, use a longer beam to secure the box, then legs will form at the corners of the structure, which can be dug into the ground.

Sandbox pit

When choosing between sea, quarry and river sand to fill the sandbox, we recommend choosing the latter. It is clean and does not contain impurities and salts, but it is still better to sift it when pouring it out, then the sand will be free of pebbles and dirt, soft, gentle, and pleasant to work with.

To make your children's "construction site" look cozy, surround it lawn grass and lead a path to it.

Now the sandbox is absolutely “ready for use” and you can let the first little builders into it to test the object. All that remains is to fill it with bright buckets, spatulas and molds as the final touches. A sandbox made using this technology is simply bound to last for many years.

The more complex the sandbox design, the more time and effort it will take to build it. At the same time, a good thing, made conscientiously, will bring joy to more than one generation of children. After all, sand games develop fine motor skills, creative thinking and simply give the joy of a carefree childhood. And for this it’s worth trying a little.

Your baby is growing up, and it’s time to think about a cozy children’s corner in the garden. What is your favorite pastime at this age? Of course, outdoor games. One of the main attributes of a children's playground is a sandbox, where children can play with sand from morning to evening. Installing such a structure in the yard is as easy as shelling pears, since they are sold in specialized stores already in finished form. However, their price often does not please caring parents. The best solution in this situation, a sandbox with a lid, made by yourself, will become. This does not require special skills, and you can use any available means as material.

Types of sandboxes for children

If you decide to make a sandbox for your beloved child with your own hands, so that you won’t be ashamed to show your friends a photo of the structure, then before you start work, you need to figure out what types of these structures exist.

Based on design features, it is customary to distinguish two types of sandboxes:

open;
closed.

Open structures

Perhaps the presented type can be called the most common and popular in playgrounds. It is made and installed quite simply. Although you can rarely find them in their “pure” form. Today, many masters complement them with a variety of decorative elements, giving them original forms. Open sandboxes are often combined with houses, benches, slides and other elements. The most popular options are:

Sandbox mushroom. A wooden pole with a roof is placed in the center or on the side of this structure so that children can play quietly without overheating in the sun.
Sandbox sailboat. An umbrella or a canopy acts as a roof, which serves as a protection for children from the sun's rays.
Mobile sandbox (foldable). A special feature of this structure is the ability to move it to any place. Perhaps this is due to the presence of a collapsible frame.

Advantages:

all materials for manufacturing are available and relatively inexpensive;
installation does not require special skills;
develops the child’s physical and mental skills;
if a breakdown occurs, it is quite easy to repair it;
simple and easy to use.

Flaws:

Since the structure does not close, leaves, sediment, and debris get into it.
while the sandbox is unattended, animals can “choose” it, turning the child’s favorite structure into a toilet;
sand erodes over time.

Despite the fact that an open sandbox has few disadvantages, its functionality compared to a closed structure is sharply reduced, in particular due to the need for constant cleaning of debris.

Photo gallery: open sandboxes

Mushroom - a classic design for a children's sandbox The sandbox-sailboat perfectly protects the baby from exposure to sunlight A folding sandbox is perfect for those who like to travel a lot with children An open sandbox is the most popular option The canopy can also be placed near the sandbox

Indoor sandboxes for children

This type of sandbox appeared relatively recently, but thanks to many advantages it has already earned the sympathy of parents.

Closed sandboxes are divided into:

Classic (covered with a lid). In this version, the structure is tightly covered with a board after the game.
A sandbox that transforms into benches or a table. This structure differs from the others in that it allows you to turn the lid into an additional playground or into seats with backrests on both sides.

Advantages:

the lid closes the sandbox from precipitation, debris and animals, and also prevents sand from weathering;
you can store various children's equipment (spatulas, scoops and rakes) under the lid;
there is an additional play area for children;
prices for materials for manufacturing are low;
reliable and durable design.

Flaws:

in the event of a breakdown, repairing a closed sandbox will be more difficult than an open one;
a large amount of materials will be required for manufacturing.

Photo gallery: sandboxes with lid

Appearance closed sandbox can be absolutely anything The lid protects the sand from moisture and debris The lid can be transformed into benches

Almost every parent has the opportunity to build a sandbox on their garden plot for their beloved child. However, in order for the structure to last a long time and not pose a danger to the child, it is worth following several recommendations during its manufacture and installation:

The sandbox should be within sight of parents so that they can check what their child is doing at any time.
In order to reduce the likelihood of infection through sand, it is recommended to choose an installation location away from trees.
The dimensions of the structure must be chosen such that it can ultimately accommodate more than three children.
The structure should be installed on an elevated area, since with this location it will not collect sedimentary moisture.
It is necessary to install the sandbox so that one part of it is in the sun and the other in the shade. This will allow the sand to warm up evenly without burning the child.
It is better to choose river sand because it is cleaner and contains a minimum amount of impurities.
To prevent stray animals from trying to “take a fancy” to the sandbox, you can treat the outer perimeter with a special agent that repels cats and dogs.
Before you start construction, you must check that all the boards are sanded.
For manufacturing, use only high-quality materials.
When choosing a location for installation, it is recommended to immediately check whether there are thorny bushes, allergens or other plants nearby that could harm the child.
Ensure that the perimeter of the structure is free of electrical wiring, various hoses and pipes.
It is advisable to make a lawn around the sandbox, seeded with trampling-resistant grass.
It is recommended to locate the structure on the south side - this way the sand will warm up faster.

Which material to choose

There are three classic options that can also be combined with each other:

wood;
plastic;
metal.

Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Tree

Wood structures are classic and popular.

Advantages:

long service life with proper care;
environmental friendliness;
safety;
availability;
poor thermal conductivity.

Flaws:

the need for periodic painting to maintain a neat appearance;
susceptibility to rotting, since wood is easily susceptible to any influence (this can be avoided by processing by special means);
increased risk of injury if the surface is untreated and there are gaps.

Plastic

Constructions made of plastic and resin can be safely called modern version sandboxes They are often purchased ready-made, because these materials are extremely inconvenient to process with your own hands.

Advantages:

safe, harmless and high-quality plastic is used in production;
there is no need for constant maintenance and periodic painting;
He doesn’t care about any precipitation;
the sandbox is easy to install and operate;
has compact dimensions;
pretty plastic lightweight material, which means the sandbox design will be mobile;
There is a wide range of bright, colorful and rich design colors available.

Flaws:

plastic fades and becomes faded over time;
expensive;
unstable to ultraviolet radiation, as a result of which the plastic is susceptible to deformation.

Metal

Metal structures, like wooden ones, are familiar to everyone since childhood. Quite often they could be found in the courtyards of the city. However, today they are purchased and built quite rarely, since their disadvantages are several times greater than their advantages.

Advantages:

long service life;
strength and reliability of the structure.

Flaws:

manufacturing complexity, since without welding machine and you can’t build such a sandbox with special skills;
high price;
increased thermal conductivity;
susceptibility to corrosion.

Preparing for work

Careful preparation will help make the work of making a sandbox with a lid with your own hands easier.

Drawing up a drawing with dimensions

It is customary to start any construction with a design diagram. Having decided on the type of design and material for manufacture, you must consider whether you will have a regular lid or a transforming one. Also carefully plan all stages of creating a sandbox.

The sandbox cover consists of:

Door hinges.
Back support.
Basics for fastening.
Sandbox side boards.
The backs of the bench.
Limiter.

This version of the lid is optimal, since it not only covers the sandbox from debris, but also transforms into benches.

Tools and materials

Due to the fact that the structure is square in shape, we will need boards of the same length and width. Materials you will need:

8 boards measuring 1500x150x30 mm (2 boards on each side of the side);
12 bars measuring 700x50x50 mm (for securing wooden elements sides);
4 boards measuring 1500x175x30 mm (for the bottom and base for fastening);
4 bars - 1500x200x30 mm (for the back of the bench);
4 limiters - 175x60x30 mm;
4 stops - 700x60x30 mm;
4 metal door hinges.

To cover the base, you will need a special waterproofing coating. An excellent option would be dense polyethylene. The area it will occupy is easy to calculate: you need to multiply the width of the structure by its length (1.5 m * 1.5 m = 2.25 m²). Since the sides will also need to be covered with polyethylene, it is recommended to leave a margin of 12 cm on each side.

For construction you will need a few more tools:

bayonet and shovel shovels;
hacksaw or jigsaw;
hammer;
screwdriver or screwdriver;
building level;
grinding machine or sandpaper;
brushes and roller for painting;
chisel;
electric drill;
square;
set of wood drills;
bolts with nuts;
self-tapping screws;
construction tape;
wooden stakes and cord.

Photo gallery: tools for making structures

A shovel will help make indentations for the base. A screwdriver will help speed up the process of tightening bolts Instead of a jigsaw, you can use a hacksaw The chisel will allow you to make indentations in the wood required sizes You can also take a professional angle

Step-by-step instructions for making a children's sandbox with a folding bench

Once you have decided on the location, you need to mark the area. To make the calculations more accurate, it is recommended to install pegs around the perimeter and stretch a cord between them. Using a tape measure and a square you can make the corners even.
Now you need to delete upper layer soil using a shovel. It is advisable to make the depth a little more than 25 cm. This step will eliminate the rotting of plants and the appearance of various living creatures in the sandbox, and will also ensure the reliability and stability of the structure.
Next, you need to level the bottom and fill it with gravel and sand in a 10 cm layer. Then the surface of the pit is compacted and leveled. Due to this, water will not accumulate under the sandbox.
After preparing the bottom of the pit, you need to lay the base of the structure. Polyethylene is suitable for this. It needs to be laid at the bottom of the hole, after making several holes in it with a nail. This is necessary so that moisture does not linger in the sand for a long time, but goes into the ground.
At this stage you need to make a frame for the sandbox. To do this, sides are constructed from two boards. For fastening it is customary to use self-tapping screws, bolts or metal plates. The connecting parts are bars - they fasten the sides with inside sandboxes.
Before installing the sandbox in the soil, you need to dig 9 holes around the entire perimeter of the prepared hole, into which the supports will then go.
Then the boards are secured with self-tapping screws to the upper edge of the side, serving as the basis for the lid.
You need to attach door hinges to the boards you just installed at a distance of 35 cm from the edge.
Now you need to secure two more boards. The hinges are installed on the opposite side.
Then you should install boards that will act as a backrest. Relevant wooden parts secured with self-tapping screws.
Now you need to fix the stops to the base of the seat.
In order for the back of the benches to have a stop, you need to install the bars and secure them with self-tapping screws.
At the end, it is necessary to install the structure in specially prepared holes in the ground and secure it well.

Features of finishing of a wooden structure

Having completed the construction of the sandbox, it is necessary to treat it with special means that will make it look beautiful. It is important to choose the right paint. Cheap options can evaporate in the hot sun and emit harmful chemical substances, which can enter the child’s lungs. Also, some paints and varnishes begin to stick to your hands after drying, and this is extremely undesirable. Therefore, it is worth contacting a specialized store, where they will tell you the safest and most convenient option for a children's sandbox.

There is no need to explain why children need a sandbox. There is hardly anyone who did not play in the sand as a child. You can make a good sandbox on your own in literally half a day. This will not only save some money, but, perhaps more importantly, will make dad’s authority much more significant. A do-it-yourself sandbox is built for family use when the first-born is already vigorously stomping around, and a collective sandbox is built at the beginning of arranging a children’s playground in the local area.

A sandbox for children's games is, as is known, low, 25-40 cm high above the ground, a fence or box, with or without a bottom, 1.2-3 m in diameter, into which sand is poured. It's important in the sandbox, because... most susceptible to contamination, and the children's sandbox must meet sanitary and hygienic requirements for children's household items. For a relatively small, 2x2 m sandbox, it requires approx. 1 cubic meter. To prepare such a quantity of ordinary sand at home for a children's sandbox, you will need to set up an entire production facility. Store-bought mixtures are not cheap, and no one can give a reliable guarantee that they will retain their properties outdoors. If they still correspond to the declared ones. However, a certain type of construction sand (not at all the most expensive) may be suitable for a sandbox, provided it is replaced annually or prepared for refilling. Therefore further

A special section will be devoted to choosing sand for the sandbox.

Selecting a location To make a sandbox correctly, you must first choose a suitable place for it.

Place the sandbox on the site, as shown in Fig. in general, in the sector from north to southeast. It's all about ultraviolet light (UV). In the morning, when the air is fresher and clearer, its share of sunlight is greater, but the UV radiation itself is softer. Remember, doctors recommend sunbathing in the morning. In the afternoon, due to physical phenomena with dusty air and more saturated with water vapor, the share of UV decreases somewhat, but its spectrum becomes more severe. Therefore, in the afternoon, a shadow should fall on the sandbox. However, building a sandbox under a tree is not recommended. You don’t have to wait for leaf fall: even in the summer, garbage, bird droppings and insects will fall into the sandbox. There is absolutely no need for spiders in the sandbox: a spider venom, which is safe for an adult, can bite through a child’s skin, and spider venom does not cause immunity, but, on the contrary, sensitization, increased sensitivity to it. Most spiders cannot stand bright light or dry conditions, so

The next factor concerns not the sandbox itself, but the house and the landscaped area near it. Sand is an excellent abrasive. Grains of sand carried on shoes can quickly ruin not only parquet or laminate flooring, but also a paved garden path. Therefore, it is highly desirable that there be at least 1.5-2 m of lawn or blind area around the sandbox to remove sand from shoes. If the sandbox is not on the lawn, you can put cleaning mats around it for the hallway, but options from scrap materials are also possible, see below.

Preparing the site

Sandboxes are made permanent, which overwinter in the open air, and seasonal, which are put under a roof for the winter. The latter do not necessarily have a bottom, which requires more material consumption and adds weight. Permanent sandboxes are usually built for several generations of children, and seasonal sandboxes are a typical sandbox for a dacha. With more or less careful use, it will serve not only children, but also grandchildren. The construction of both types of sandbox differs, in essence, only in the method of installing the box, see below.

Anyway Preparing a place for the sandbox and fixing it on it is carried out in stages as follows:

In the selected area, remove the turf or the top loose/littered layer of soil by 15-20 cm, i.e. half a bayonet of a shovel, and with the same exit to the sides;
The area is leveled, covered with any sand in a layer of 5-6 cm, and passed with a rake;
The sand backfill is covered with geotextiles, agrofibre or, even more budget option, propylene matting from old bags unraveled onto panels, with a 30-40 cm offset along the contour. Such insulation will not allow roots and soil animals to enter the sandbox, but will release excess moisture from it into the ground;
After installing the box (see figure), the insulation flaps are folded up and temporarily attached with tape to the sides of the box;

The trench bordering the box is filled with the excavated soil, compacting it;
Excess insulation is cut off or tucked in, tucked with a sliver, ruler, etc.

Note: If the sandbox is seasonal, then it is better to tuck in the insulation. In the fall, her lapels are pulled out and straightened. The box is removed, and then it will be possible to take out the sand on winter storage. Or to a construction site, if the need for a sandbox has passed.

Does a sandbox need a lid?

It is clear why sand is attractive to cats and dogs and why their completely natural needs are incompatible with human hygiene. It is also highly undesirable for children to play on completely damp sand. It sticks better, but it doesn’t take long to catch a cold. You can, of course, when the sandbox is not in use, put pipes, boards, poles on it, cover it with film and press it down with bricks. But in the adult summer, when there are already too many worries on the site, this is troublesome and does not reduce the amount of rubbish on the territory. Therefore, the sandbox still needs a lid.

Note: Expensive purchased sandbox mixtures contain fragrances that repel animals. But, firstly, they “burn out” pretty quickly. Secondly, there are no independent medical statistics on the effects of these substances on human health. Because the we're talking about It’s not just about health, but about children, then, as they say, it’s better to stay out of harm’s way.

A sandbox with a lid, if we exclude completely exotic versions of a fan-type lid, self-lifting with a mechanism, etc., is made in three ways, see fig. higher. The simplest option is a regular shield made of boards or plywood, as in Fig. left. But then the little ones won’t get into the sandbox without the help of adults (perhaps those who are very busy right now). Secondly, due to such sandbox covers, injuries are possible. A neat, smart and independent child, trying to put his own things in order like an adult workplace, pulls a shield that is too heavy for him, and it falls on the little owner. There are no serious cases noted, there is not enough roaring and resentment.

The second option is a folding lid, or a book that transforms into a convenient bench, on the left in Fig. It’s not at all difficult to make one; The design diagram of the transformer lid for the sandbox is shown in Fig. on right. Materials - boards (100-150)x(20-30) and beams 50x50. The beam (a) in a closed sandbox is under the lid, and the beam (b) is on it, so there is no need to calculate exactly the indents/gaps/offsets with this mechanism. By extending the beam (b) the tilt of the backrest is adjusted.

1 card loops with wings as wide as the thickness of the board; It is better to take barn hinges 2. In the middle of the upper boards of the back, cut-outs-grips are made (shown by the arrow on the left in the figure above). If you need a solid lid, then door handles are attached in the same places.

The second option is a sandbox with a hinged lid, on the right in Fig. higher, more suitable for children of different ages, when the eldest (eldest) may have already outgrown the sandbox, but takes care of his little brother (sister). Then the eldest, who is already able to lift quite large leaf plywood or painted chipboard, he will have a play/work table at his disposal, and the little one will have his own.

Topside

Materials

It is preferable to make sandboxes wooden; wood in this case is the most environmentally friendly and least traumatic material. With a simple and completely harmless treatment, you can achieve its durability in the open air for over 10 years, which is more than enough for a sandbox. Other options for constructing a sandbox will be discussed further, but for now let’s deal with wooden ones.

Preparing parts

Preparation of material for the manufacture of a wooden sandbox comes down to double impregnation of ready-to-assemble parts with a water-polymer emulsion (WPE). There is no point in using expensive certified oil and silicone water repellents (water-repellent compounds) and antiseptics in this case: there are few cracks and nooks that retain moisture (this is the so-called capillary entrapment) in the sandbox, they are all well ventilated and/or are in contact with moisture-absorbing sand. Free work, which can help in many other cases home handyman, is not applicable in this case, because Motor oils contain additives, the presence of which in children's household items is unacceptable.

Note: underground parts of permanent sandboxes are also treated before installation in place, see below, bitumen mastic or doused with boiling bitumen.

For the same reasons, almost any tree will suit the sandbox, even alder and aspen that are unsuitable for construction. Their low resistance to rot and mold is compensated by “frying” in the sun and contact with sand, and their low mechanical strength for a practically unloaded sandbox it does not matter. For permanent sandboxes, it is better, of course, to take pine or other conifers. Birch is not suitable for any structures exposed to atmospheric influences; it molds very easily.

As for choosing the type of lumber, it is best to use quarter boards or tongue and groove boards; they will prevent the penetration of atmospheric moisture into the sand through the walls. In addition, tongue-and-groove benches will make it possible to arrange strong, wide benches, see figure, and the folding lid of the sandbox will make it reliable and durable. A quite good sandbox is made from a tongue and groove board 16-20 mm thick. Of course, when assembling the box, the tongue ridge of the top board will have to be removed.

Note: The tongue tongue of the drawer walls should always face upward, and the tongue of the lower quarter, if quarter boards are used, should face outward. Otherwise, moisture will stagnate in the connection.

Building a sandbox

The sandbox box is made 2-3 boards high, depending on their width. They are assembled by attaching the corners with self-tapping screws to pieces of timber 50x50 long in height for a box for a seasonal sandbox or with “legs” of 30-40 cm for a permanent one. A 100 mm board requires 2 fastening points, and a 150 mm board requires 3. If the walls are made of simple edged or quarter boards and their length exceeds approximately 1.8 m, then another piece of the same beam is attached in the middle of each wall.

The corners of the seasonal sandbox must be additionally reinforced so that its box can be turned by 1 person without the risk of breaking it. In this case corner posts placed outside, and the intersecting boards crash into each other halfway up the tree. Drawings of a country sandbox for seasonal use are shown in Fig. Of course, a permanent one made in this way will not be any worse.

Side-seats

The side of the sandbox is a frame made of boards. It gives her box extra rigidity and serves as a seat and shelf for toys. To ensure the board is even, the ends of its boards are sawn at 45 degrees. Here, firstly, you need to pay attention to the coincidence of the edges. The protrusion of the corner, see figure, is dangerous; children scratch on such hooks, as if they were being pulled there by a magnet. Such imperfections must be filed down and the outer corners of the edge must be sanded to roundness.

How the side is placed on the box can be seen in pos. 1 pic. It is definitely attached to the corner and intermediate posts. But if you leave it like that, the board will soon break off.

Fastening to the edge of the drawer board, pos. 2, not entirely reliable, kids are angry people. Backing block B is also not an ideal solution, it prevents children from putting toys into hiding places under the side, but what kind of game is this? The best way to strengthen the side of the sandbox is pieces of plinth-fillets from 40x40 mm, pos. 3. For 1 m of the length of the side, a piece 30 cm long, installed in the middle, is enough. Attachment points – 3, i.e. in increments of 10 cm. In addition, if the same supports are installed under the outer extension of the side, then its fastening can be made hidden.

Roof

Based on the conditions for placing the sandbox, it is clear that it needs a roof. The classic option is a fungus. But adults who remember playing in the sandbox also remember that he doesn’t really hide from anything, he just hits him in the forehead every now and then. In the center of the sandbox is the game itself, and there is a pillar sticking out. Fungus on the playground, of course, is needed for quiet and quiet games, but to the side. But it makes sense to make a sandbox with fungus only if there are waste building materials left and there is no money for new ones. In such a case, see the video on how to make a sandbox with fungus from scrap materials.

Video: do-it-yourself sandbox with fungus

The most durable and reliable version of the sandbox roof is on 4 pillars, pos. 1 in Fig. One problem is that with a nose, fidgets then have the same problem as reckless drivers with a radiator: there is always a tree or a pole in front of them.

Much safer than a roof on 2 pillars, pos. 2 and 3. They are attached to the sides of the box at their location. Therefore, if the roof is heavy and/or has steep slopes, which provides better shelter, then the pillars need to be supported with struts, pos. 2.

It is advisable to make the roof of the seasonal sandbox soft, cap, pos. 3, or tension, pos. 4. The latter allows you to minimize wood consumption and provides very good shelter. The roofing material for all roofs is any suitable. If polycarbonate remains from a greenhouse, porch, canopy or, say, gazebo, this is the best option.

A special case is the sandbox-wigwam, pos. 5, or sandbox hut. Although there are more pillars in it, people hit them with faces much less often. The point here is in some features of children's psychophysiology of vision and motor skills. In general, the highlight is that the pillars are tilted inward.

Installation procedure

This question only applies to persistent sandboxes. And the real question is how to assemble the product from parts: on the spot, similar to “adult” buildings, or, for example, a dog house, entirely where it is more convenient, see Fig., and put it in place assembled. For a sandbox, the second option is definitely preferable, because allows you to significantly reduce the volume earthworks. This is also significant because the sandbox is placed on a developed area, and you don’t want to mutilate the lawn or area, into which a lot of work has also been invested, beyond what is necessary.

Another argument in favor of installing a ready-made box is that when assembling it on site, you will definitely need leveling, adjusting to size and straightening the contour. Country toilet it won’t last long if it’s askew; the sandbox is more in terms of. And the finished box with sides is quite rigid, lightly loaded and will hold on even if zero cycle far from perfect.

Step-by-step instruction on installation assembled sandbox in place is this:

Prepare a foundation pit as described above, but without sand filling and without laying insulation;
In places where the posts (posts) go into the ground, use a hand drill with a diameter of 80-100 mm to drill holes to the depth of the posts plus 10-15 cm, i.e. 40-55 cm, because It is enough to deepen the posts by 30-40 cm. With a 10-cm drill, this work is done effortlessly, 5-10 minutes per well;
In the process of sand backfilling for insulation, the wells are filled with sand to about half or slightly higher;
Before processing with bitumen, the “legs” of the box are sharpened by hewing with an ax or sawing into a wedge or into an elongated pyramid;
When the insulation is laid, it is cut into petals above the wellheads;
The box is placed “with its feet” in the wells and lowered to the level, first by hand, and then by tapping the ends of the racks with a leopard - a wooden sledgehammer. You don’t need to peel with all your might, you need to gradually chip away, going along the contour;
The roof, if provided, is assembled on site.

Note: You can make a leopard with your own hands from a log or cutting a piece of timber from 130x130 cm, mounted on a handle.

More materials

For quick self-assembly sandboxes, plastic modules are produced, see Fig., in trade practice for some reason called linear polyethylene. Nothing bad is known about them, but if you are arranging a garden or creating a flower bed, then they can be replaced with border elements for flower beds from a garden set; especially - elements for flower beds on the lawn. They are suitable in height, sand will not spill through the joints, they do not require excavation work, but they stay firmly in the ground. And it will cost less to build a sandbox from the garden border.

A common option for a “sandbox quickly and for nothing” is made from tires, see fig. on right. Free, but, firstly, not very hygienic: moisture stagnates in the tire pockets, and the sand can rot. Secondly - steel cord. As the rubber on the cuts dries, the ends slowly but surely stick out, causing children to prick and scratch themselves on them. Of course, you can build a lot of tires useful crafts, but they are not suitable for the sandbox.

Sandbox-boat with a box - compartment for toys

Useful improvements

This is first and foremost a sandbox ship. It is not much more difficult to make than a regular one, but in the bow compartment, which in real ships is called the forepeak, it is very convenient to store toys and even small gardening supplies. Romance in the game, that goes without saying. In this case, the forepeak is equipped with a hatch cover and separated from the sandbox itself by a blank wall - a bulkhead, see fig. Since it’s a boat, we’ll call its parts nautical. If the forepeak is part of the sandbox, then there is no need to build a deck over it, there is no sand sunlight may rot.

The next option will require more work; even more than a sandbox with a roof. This is a sandbox-house for growth. Its design is strong and durable enough so that when a child outgrows playing in the sand, it can be used to lay a floor, sheathe walls and thus get playhouse. A diagram of the structure of the sandbox-house is shown in Fig. left.

About angles

If the dimensions of the sandbox in plan do not exceed approximately 2x2 m, then you can reduce the consumption of wood without losing the strength of the box by arranging corner seats, on the left in Fig. in the center above. According to psychology, this option is preferable for individualistic children.

A very beautiful and durable sandbox with corner seats is made from stumps and logs, not necessarily of the same size. And if you use saw cuts from the same logs to lay out a blind area around the box (in this case already a log house), then the removal of even very fine sand outside play area will be minimal, on the right in the same fig.

What kind of sand should I use?

Now let's return to the question, which one construction sands Suitable for sandbox. Small, almost white, pos. 1 on next rice. - definitely not. From a child’s point of view, it doesn’t mold well. And as an adult, it generates a lot of dust, gets into the eyes and everywhere, microscopically injuring the skin, which can contribute to the occurrence of allergies. Adult construction workers, healthy, hardy men, when working with such sand, wear protective clothing, respirators and goggles.

Also not suitable is white or slightly grayish quartz sand, pos. 2. It does not generate dust, but it does not stick at all, and it injures the skin to the point of visible scratches. Quartz is a very hard mineral and its grains are rarely rounded to full roundness.

Red sand, traded as gully sand, pos. 3, molds perfectly, but is also not suitable for the sandbox. There is a lot of clay in it, it gets very dirty. And to make matters worse, this clay is full of microscopic pores filled with nutrients. Just give it to harmful micro-living creatures.

For a sandbox, moderately yellowish sand of medium coarseness, pos. 4. There is enough clay in it for very fine modeling, but it covers the grains with a thin dense layer, making them non-traumatic and unsuitable for the settlement of microorganisms. Repeatedly, up to 3-4 times, such sand (it is most often sold as river sand) is used as follows:

In winter it is stored in a dry, unheated room; better - in bags, or in the yard under film.
In the spring, the sandbox is filled when warm weather sets in.
If the sand has been wintering in it, then when it is completely dry, it is selected and winnowed, see below.
The sandbox is refilled layer by layer, in layers of 7-10 cm.
The sand is poured into a winnowing box, i.e. a stream from a bucket from a height of human height in a medium wind.
The filled layer is air-dried for at least 24 hours before filling the next one.

Unusual

There is also a type of sandbox called a tabletop sandbox. Generally speaking, children playing in it are much more likely to clog their eyes, nose, and mouth, because... At the same time, the head is held straight, and not tilted face down. In addition, setting up a desktop sandbox is difficult, because... even a small amount of sand requires at least half a ton. And if the desktop sandbox is at home, then you will need a separate room that is not directly connected to others.

The sandbox brings so much joy to children! But it’s very easy to build it yourself; you only need a little material, skill, imagination and skillful hands.

Theory

Sandbox placement

First you need to decide where to organize a cozy corner for your baby. When choosing a location, follow these rules:

The sandbox should be located in plain sight so that adults can control baby's activities. There is no place for a children's play area behind a barn or tall bush.
Think about shadows. The play corner must be arranged so that one half of it remains in the sun, and the other allows you to hide from the scorching rays. It’s good if a tree with a lush crown grows nearby.
Or create a shadow yourself. Not on site tall trees or are you not ready to constantly sweep fallen leaves out of the sandbox? No problem: make a cute umbrella-shaped canopy.

Size and preparation of the sandbox base, protection from moisture

Anyone can make a children's sandbox with their own hands! If there are a lot of kids, then, of course, it should be more spacious. However, the most common are square structures measuring 1.7 x 1.7 m - both two-year-old toddlers and already grown-up tomboys will be comfortable here. It is not difficult to build such a structure. But first you need to mark the area and do basis. To do this, you need a cord, marking tape and pegs.

Preparation of the base is carried out in several stages:

Fence the desired area around the perimeter.
Remove the top layer of soil - about 30 cm is enough.
In the center, dig a hole with a diameter of 40-50 cm and a depth of 60-70 cm, fill it with small bulk material, for example, crushed stone, and compact it. This is necessary to ensure that excess moisture does not accumulate in the sandbox.
From the sides to the center, make a slope along which rainwater will flow.
When everything is ready, you can begin building the base of the sandbox.

Sandbox base

Anyone can play this role dense material: polyethylene, plywood (just don’t forget to make holes in it, otherwise water will constantly accumulate in the sandbox), paving slabs. The main thing is to add a small layer of sand before laying the material.

DIY sandbox photo step by step

The base performs several important functions. Thus, it protects the play area from mice and insects that are not averse to settling in the sand. And film or plywood will help keep the sandbox clean, preventing earth and stones from getting into it.

Sandbox sides

It's time for the sides for the sandbox. They help mark the territory of the playground, prevent sand from crumbling, and are actively used by children as an “exhibition area” for Easter cakes or just for relaxation.

For the sides you will need:

bars 45x5x5 cm;
boards 150x30x2.5 cm (you can replace them with narrow blanks 10 cm wide);
wide boards for horizontal benches.

DIY sandbox photo step by step

Since do-it-yourself wooden sandboxes are usually square, 4 pieces are required.

The material must be carefully processed, otherwise the wood will quickly deteriorate and children will get a few splinters. Take a grinder or electric drill, put on a sanding attachment and go over the boards for horizontal edges. It is not necessary to sand the remaining boards and bars, but it is necessary to cover them in several layers with drying oil or any antiseptic. Bitumen works great.

To obtain the base, the bars are dug into the corners of the future sandbox to a depth of approximately 15-20 cm. Boards are nailed to them. Finally, horizontal overlays are fixed around the perimeter.

Sandbox cover

An important design element is lid. In principle, you can do without it, but in this case, garbage, branches and leaves will constantly get into the sand, and animals will probably choose it as a toilet. Therefore, it is better to make a lid for the sandbox. This role may include:

Sandbox decoration

The children's sandbox with their own hands is ready, but will the child be interested if you leave it without decorations? You can simply paint the structure in any color or draw an ornament on it, various pictures, letters, funny faces - whatever you want!

The final touch is filling the sandbox. Usually, high-quality river or quartz bulk material is used for this, in which insects will be uncomfortable, and children, on the contrary, will be safe and fun!

DIY sandbox photo

Let's move on to practice

Sandbox materials and sizes

DIY sandbox photo step by step

So, you've decided that your child needs a sandbox. You don’t have to do it yourself: now any children’s goods store sells ready-made structures that just need to be installed in the chosen location. But this product is expensive, and it’s more pleasant to make playground with your own hands. Moreover, it is easy to find hundreds of photographs on the Internet that will inspire and help you easily decide on the materials and sizes of the sandbox.

Before you start work, find the boards of the required sizes and polish them so that children do not get splinters. The width of the workpieces should not be less than 30 mm.

Now draw up a drawing, choosing the location of the playground and deciding on the size. Typically, sandboxes are made in the form of a square with a side of 1.5-2 m. Sufficient depth is 20-30 cm.

DIY sandbox. Drawing

How to make a children's sandbox?

When the materials are ready, it’s time to start creating a wooden sandbox with your own hands. It's not difficult at all if you follow the instructions:

Define place for the playground. As mentioned above, the sandbox should be installed so that children do not suffer from hot sun rays and are visible. Open area will not work - choose a corner under a spreading tree that provides enough shade. And don’t forget: the site must be clearly visible.

If the shade is not enough, docanopy. It will perfectly protect both from the scorching rays of the sun and from rain if it suddenly catches the kids while playing, and, in addition, will increase the service life of the sandbox.

Treat the woodantiseptic composition, which will not allow the material to rot and suffer from insect attacks. The sandbox is located outside, so the protection must be of high quality, otherwise precipitation will quickly render the boards unusable.

Prepare the surface and do base for the sandbox. It should be such as to prevent the penetration of insects and rodents, as well as the mixing of sand with soil. Agrofibre, which is attached to the boards using a regular furniture stapler, is good for this purpose.

DIY sandbox photo step by step

Install sides sandbox, connecting the boards with self-tapping screws. This is the most convenient and affordable option fastenings, which will give the structure the necessary strength. Even the constant pressure of a mass of sand will not be able to deform it.

Secure wide horizontal boards around the perimeter of the playground so that children can rest while playing. You can also sit on comfortable benches with backs, which can be easily installed on both sides of the structure.

To understand how to make a sandbox with your own hands and find answers to all questions that may arise during the process, it is better to watch a video with explanations of all stages of installation. You might find some ideas for different sandboxes made by yourself useful.

A simple do-it-yourself sandbox made from large logs

The design is slightly reminiscent traditional log house. Whole logs were used as walls; wide boards covered with light paint and used as benches. Flooring became an excellent base that prevented soil from getting into the sand.

Transformable sandbox with folding lid

Perhaps the most practical and interesting option. It is done like this:

As with a regular sandbox, a box is assembled from prepared boards.
Materials for the lid are being prepared: 12 narrow boards (6 on each side) and hinges - standard door hinges and with one long shelf (4 pieces each).
Two boards are nailed to the finished box on both sides.

Short shelves of hinges are attached to the resulting parts of the future lid, and the next pair of boards is screwed to the long ones. Keep in mind: the size of the workpieces should be such that the long loop covers no less than half the width. This is necessary for structural strength.

The next board is attached using a regular loop, so that the shelves remain on the other side. To install the second workpiece, you will need a small block, which is stuffed on both sides, spaced approximately 15 cm from the edge.

On the first pair of boards, a suitable piece of wood is stuffed, which will not allow the lid to sag and put pressure on the hinges when folded down.

It turns out to be an interesting do-it-yourself sandbox with a lid, which all that remains is to paint. Even at the preparation stage, you can use a special impregnation that not only protects the wood, but also gives it a particular shade. The paint can be anything, the main thing is that it is intended for outdoor use and does not deteriorate under the influence of the sun and precipitation. Use your imagination and turn the sandbox into a little miracle for your child!

To make the play area even more practical, we recommend using the space under the seats to store toys, partitioning off the space like a compartment. Anyway, children mostly play in the center of the structure, and they can save on sand.

Do-it-yourself sandbox-boat

A wonderful option for little tomboys is a sandbox-boat. Probably every boy dreams of going sailing at least once in his life, so why not give him such an opportunity? How to build a sandbox with your own hands:

A regular square base with low sides is constructed.

Two blanks are driven into the ground near one of the sides of the hull, to which boards for the “nose” of the future ship are attached. It is made in the form of a triangle with sides whose height should be noticeably higher than the main part. The corners of the boards must be fastened by driving nails diagonally.

We make a ladder of 2-3 steps so that the child can easily move from the sandbox itself to the “nose” and back.

The top of the triangle is sewn up with boards.

The decor is being built and additional accessories: equipment, masts, etc. The resulting boat is painted.

If desired, the design can be supplemented extension, which is installed on the other side of the sandbox. It is made from beams that are driven into the ground as pillars, and sheets of plywood. In such a house it is convenient to store toys and play a variety of games.

DIY sandbox truck. Step by step photos

The playground is a favorite place to play for kids. For adults it will not be special labor make it bright and cozy. For example, it’s not at all difficult to make an interesting element with your own hands - a sandbox in the shape of a truck, which will bring the children a lot of joy.

What you will need

Any important undertaking begins with planning. To create a sandbox, you need to prepare materials and design a structure.
For this you will need:

sheet of plywood 1.5x1.5 m thick 1.8 cm (several sheets);
fastening elements (self-tapping screws, screws, metal corners);
jigsaw;
slate pencil, drawing instruments, whatman paper;
primer;
exterior paint;
unnecessary car parts (steering wheel, wheels, toggle switches, headlights, etc.)

Manufacturing process

The sandbox in the form of a truck consists of two large parts - the cabin and the body. They can be made from 13 parts:

Body side (2 pcs.)
Hood
Front
Body seat
Body seat bottom
Side with doorway (2 pcs.)
Steering wheel panel
Roof
Cabin seat
Bottom of cabin seat
Back wall

DIY sandbox drawings. Photo

In order not to make mistakes with the calculations, it would be advisable to first draw sketches of the parts on paper and find their optimal location on the plywood. Then transfer the image to wood and cut along the lines with a jigsaw.

Using fasteners, we assemble the structure, process the edges and protruding parts to avoid injury to children.

Since the sandbox in the form of a truck will be used in street conditions and exposed to weather conditions, it should be treated. To do this, the entire surface is first coated with a primer, followed by a second layer of exterior paint.

DIY sandbox truck. Step-by-step instructions with photos

All that remains is to add realism to the truck by installing a steering wheel, switches, and you can also attach real wheels and headlights.
Thus, it will only take a few hours to make a sandbox with your own hands. And how many happy minutes will happy children spend in it?

Sandboxes with canopy. Photo

A sandbox with a canopy is very practical and decorative. There are many options for execution:

Simple wooden structure with benches around the perimeter and a fabric canopy. To construct it, holes are made in wide horizontal boards on both sides of the sandbox, through which long thin slats pass, serving as the base. The roof is attached to them.

Sandbox with canopy. Photo

The sandbox is shaped not like a square, but like a boat. To do this, two boards connected by a triangle are attached to one side at once. The steering wheel is placed in the “bow”. The fabric canopy is installed on four supports.

Sandbox in the form of a house: foundations are placed in the corners wooden poles, mounted on them gable roof with a carved ridge and other decorations. An interesting effect is created by the sides of the structure, which are made not from boards, but from many bars placed in a picket fence.

Sandbox with a roof. Photo

Another boat. As in the option above, a base of the appropriate shape is made, a fabric triangular canopy is installed (two supports are driven in on the sides near the “nose”, and another one in the center of the board on the opposite side). A “captain's bridge” with a steering wheel is being built.

A laconic do-it-yourself sandbox with four supports, on which waterproof fabric is stretched on top so that the edges are formed into sides. You can make a lid from the same material: you just need to stretch the fabric, tying it to the pillars in the corners.

A playground with supports driven into the corners, on which a wooden gable roof is installed. On low altitude Wide boards are attached between two pillars opposite each other, serving as benches.