Fire Safety Encyclopedia

How to make a sandbox and a fungus with your own hands. How to make a children's sandbox with your own hands: photos and ideas for suburban areas. Where is it better to install a sandbox for a child

A children's sandbox is a useful element in the country. While the parents are busy with the garden and the vegetable garden, the child has fun making Easter cakes and building castles. Even an amateur master can make a sandbox in the country with his own hands.

Sandbox types

By material type: wooden and plastic

Photo example of a classic wooden sandbox for children


Traditional wooden sandboxes familiar to us from childhood. It will not be difficult to make such a stationary structure in the form of a square box. It is a little more difficult to build a collapsible sandbox, the installation of which is carried out according to the type of a constructor due to equal cuts in height and width. Other models of wooden sandboxes contain such elements as:
  • cover to keep out debris and rain... It can be a simple cover that needs to be removed every time and then put back on.
  • cover that transforms into a bench or shelf... Such a covering will become a very functional and convenient element.
  • polyethylene cover in the form of an umbrella or roof. The main thing here is to make it safe for the child.
    Wooden sandboxes are very comfortable and environmentally friendly. However, the master should carefully sand the boards, round off the corners and edges, treat with an antiseptic and varnish the surface. It is important to provide all measures so that children do not get hurt.
  • Plastic sandboxes- a more modern trend. These are more complicated, they can be purchased ready-made. Plastic sandboxes are safe if they are made of high quality, harmless plastic.
  • Sometimes other materials are used to make a sandbox, for example, natural stone or brick. A significant drawback of this design is the high probability of injury.

    By type of placement: recessed and raised structures

    The first option is deepened into the ground to strengthen the base. In this case, drainage (15 cm) of pebbles and stones must be done. This is necessary so that moisture does not accumulate in the structure after rain. The drainage layer is covered with agrofibre or dense polyethylene, in which holes are made every 10 cm. Such a foundation will serve as an obstacle to the penetration of various insects from the ground and the germination of grass.

    Raised structures suggest the presence of low sides (380-400 mm), which will allow the kid to climb into the sandbox himself. Half the sides are covered with sand.

    Sandbox planning and placement: basic requirements

    A key principle to consider when planning your sandbox is structural safety. However, other points are also important:

    • Sandbox location. Choose a place where the child is always in the sight of adults. Best of all - opposite the kitchen windows. Do not build a structure next to trees. First, there will always be debris (dry branches, leaves, bird droppings) in it; secondly, because of the shade, the sand will dry for a long time after rain. If the place you have chosen is located in the sun, then the installation of a canopy should be included in the project.
    • The quality of the sand. It is best to purchase white river sand at a hardware store. Normal construction sand can damage your baby's clothes and hands. In addition, it should be sieved to remove foreign materials: stone, glass, construction waste.
    • Type, form of construction. Of course, the safest of all is a structure that does not have sharp corners. However, even if the structure is rectangular, you can round off the corners or decorate them with soft material, for example, foam rubber. A structure with a canopy must be firmly reinforced so that the wind or a child does not knock it down.

    Markup

    The location has been chosen - you can mark up the future sandbox. For this, wooden stakes and lacing are used. A square or rectangle should be designated, which will soon turn into a sand playground.

    The size of the sandbox depends on the number of children playing in it at the same time. If it is 1-2 children, then the side of the square will be from 2 to 3 meters. This territory is quite enough for the free movement of children.

    When the construction site has already been marked, you can start excavation. This is important to keep the sand from mixing with the soil. Do not go too deep: 15 cm is enough.

    Preparation of the base

    In place of the selected soil, a sand pillow is poured with a layer of no more than 5 cm. It must be thoroughly tamped with a roller or a manual wooden tamper.

    The sand cushion is covered with geotextiles so that the sand itself does not mix with the cushion and the soil. Thus, the sand will always be clean, without any admixture of soil. It is interesting that it can be placed nearby, which is suitable for both small children and older children.

    Construction of sides

    For the construction of the sides, you will need four bars measuring 45 * 5 * 5, four boards measuring 150 * 30 * 2.5 and the same number of boards for horizontal sides. They need to be placed on top along the perimeter of the structure. Boards and beams should be carefully sanded and covered with linseed oil or other antiseptic solution (for example, bitumen) in 2-3 layers. This is required to protect the wood from rotting.

    The bars deepen by 15-20 cm, boards are nailed to them, then horizontal seat pads are attached. Here children will have a rest or exhibit their "works".

    Filling

    River or quartz sand is filled up to half the height of the sides. If you are using ordinary construction sand (which is not recommended), then sift and clean it of stones and other debris. In quartz sand, substances that repel various bugs are often already added.

    When buying river sand, pay attention to the quality certificate. The sand should be dust-free so that after moistening it does not turn into dirt and molds well. If such sand cannot be found, be sure to rinse any purchased material.

    Protection

    It is important that the wood is smooth, without knots and chips, so you need to grind it with a special attachment on an electric drill. The wood must be carefully processed. It is better not to fasten the frame of the structure with nails, so that the children do not get hurt by them. The most important thing is to remember that this structure is built for children, so everything must be done competently and thoroughly.

    Additional elements

    A homemade sandbox can be equipped with additional functional elements.

    Lid

    The cover will serve as an excellent protection of the playing material - sand - from debris and various insects getting into it. Thus, access to the sandbox with a lid will be closed for pets. Possible options are:

    • simple, which is removed and put in place at any time;
    • cover-awning, which is pulled over the structure;
    • swing cover made of two shields. Wooden boards must be supplied with handles and special hinges. In a sliding form, they can serve as benches with backs;
    • -transformer, which turns into a shelf or bench. It is convenient, practical, but requires a little more physical effort.

    Canopy

    Sun protection can be provided in the sandbox.

    A canopy in the children's sandbox is needed to protect the child from the scorching rays of the sun and sudden rainfall. A wooden canopy can be made in the form of an umbrella, fungus or roof. For this, a leg is installed - a bar 100 * 100 mm wide and 3 m long. A hat, umbrella or fungus is mounted on it. Often a table is installed nearby, which serves as a "working" surface for the child's sand creations.

    A canopy can be made not only from planks, but also from plastic, polyethylene, straw or reed. Still, wooden sheds are the most reliable and safe.

    Small house

    The design with a house and a slide is suitable for older children.

    The sandbox with the house is full-fledged. The house can be located next to the sandbox or above it. In the second case, you will need a ladder along which the children will climb to it. On the other hand, here it is necessary to provide a slide along which it will be possible to descend directly into the sand. Of course, such structures with a house are intended for older children. For small crumbs, they will be unsafe.

    Benches

    The role of benches can be played by the sides of the sandbox or a sliding cover that transforms into benches with backs. The last option is convenient and multifunctional.

    Design

    A children's sandbox can be built in the form of a sailboat

    Everything that your fantasy tells you can be turned into reality, armed with bright paints and brushes. You can draw not only flowers and trees on the walls, sides and lid of the sandbox, but also numbers, letters and geometric figures. It will be not only colorful, but also informative for children. will change very much.

    The sandbox itself can be made in the form of a sailboat or boat, a spaceship or a flying saucer, a turtle or any cartoon character. An interesting, truly boyish, sandbox will be a construction of wooden posts in the form of a labyrinth.

    Video

    Watch a video on how to make a wooden sandbox with a roof from scrap materials:

    So, building a sandbox in the country with your own hands is not easy, but interesting. You can choose any design model, take into account the wishes of your child, and most importantly, you can involve him in the business. Working on the sandbox project and design will help bring the family together. Such a common cause will be remembered by everyone for a long time.

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

    Sandbox with a lid: design features

    When starting construction, think over the main details in advance, starting with the size. The sandbox should be deep and spacious 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 is not cramped there. For this purpose, dimensions of 1.5 mx 1.5 m are suitable: such a sandbox will not take up much space and it will comfortably accommodate 3-4 children.

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

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

    The cover protects the sand:

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

    The cover protects the sand from dirt and becomes a comfortable bench

    The simplest cover is a board made of boards, which is used to cover the sandbox after the game. It is the easiest to make, however, such a cover is very heavy and cumbersome, takes up additional space on the site in the daytime, and it is quite difficult to move it from place to place. Therefore, we propose to dwell on the transformer cover: its construction will take more time, and the result will justify itself. Build a lid that, when opened, turns into a table and / or a comfortable bench with a back: not only the child will like them, but also the adults will lure to join him.

    Transformer sandbox design (photo gallery)

    Where to begin

    For a start, you should stock up on materials and tools. We offer a list of the minimum necessary, which you cannot do without.

    Building materials:

    1. Boards: for the construction of a frame 1.5 mx 1.5 m, you will need two pieces with dimensions of 32x120x6000 mm; for the cover, two boards with dimensions of 20x120x6000 mm.
    2. Beam 2 pieces 50x50x1000 mm for fastening the body and the back of the lid.
    3. Agrofibre 1600x1600 mm for lining the bottom.
    4. Door hinges 6-8 pieces. For a more reliable design, use wicket hinges.
    5. Self-tapping screws.
    6. Staples.
    7. Impregnation for wood, stain, paint.

    Instruments:

    • saw (jigsaw);
    • screwdriver;
    • stapler;
    • a device for grinding (a plane, a grinder + a grinding wheel, sandpaper, etc.);
    • roulette.

    Construction step by step

    Let's start by building the frame. To do this, we cut the boards into the segments we need. With a standard length of 6 m, we divide each board into four equal lengths, thus ensuring waste-free production.

    We carefully plan and grind the boards to achieve a smooth surface. We definitely don't need the splinters we got in the sandbox. To make the sandbox last a long time, treat the boards with a solution from fungi and decay. An antiseptic will provide protection from pests and extend the life of the product.

    We saw the bar into four equal pieces of 25 cm and grind them.

    We assemble the body of the sandbox, fastening with a bar

    We assemble a two-tier body of eight boards, we fasten the boards in the corners with a bar. We carefully drive the caps of the 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 the sand will not wake up in the cracks.

    Glue the board joint with a self-adhesive sealant

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

    Transforming sandbox with bench and table

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

    For the bench, we 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 layout

    We fasten the hinges to the outer side of the lid so that the inner strips are bent when opening upwards. Use a sanded block to secure and secure the backrest. Calculate its length so that when the lid is opened, it provides a stable support for the backrest.

    The bar should provide a good support for the back

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

    With active use of the sandbox, the self-tapping screws may not be enough to securely fasten the hinges: with frequent opening / closing, they quickly begin to fall out. For greater security, use bolts for fixing.

    So that, carried away by the sand excavations, the baby does not start digging the earth from the depths, make the bottom in the sandbox. It will not allow not only the earth, but also unwanted insects and plants to penetrate the clean sifted sand. For the bottom, dense agrofibre is suitable, which has high moisture permeability, which will exclude 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 maintenance

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

    In the selected area, dig a flat pit 3-5 cm deep. A little more than the area of ​​the sandbox, so that it can easily "sit" in it. You can make gravel dumps around.

    If you want the sandbox to be installed thoroughly, use a longer beam to fix the box, then legs are formed at the corners of the structure that can be dug into the ground.

    Pit under the sandbox

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

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

    Now the sandbox is absolutely "ready to use" and you can let the first little builders into it to test the object. It remains only to fill it with bright buckets, shoulder blades and molds as final touches. A sandbox made using this technology is simply obliged to serve for many years.

    The more complex the construction of the sandbox, the more time and effort will be spent on its construction. At the same time, a good-quality, conscientiously made thing will bring joy to more than one generation of children. After all, sand fun develops fine motor skills, creative thinking and simply gives the joy of a carefree childhood. And for this it is worth trying a little.

    Even the simplest sandbox becomes a source of great joy for children. Here you can build castles, bake sand pies and do a million more interesting things. So there is no doubt that the idea of ​​making a children's sandbox with your own hands will be greeted with delight by your children. In theory, the idea looks remarkably simple, but a few tips will definitely not hurt here.

    Of course, the first step is to determine the location of the future sandbox. In no case should you place it under the open sun. If you do not have a suitable shaded spot under a tree in mind, then you need to immediately tune in to the fact that the sandbox will need a canopy.

    Children's sandpit under the canopy

    Also, when choosing a place for a sandbox, you need to take into account the age of the children. The younger they are, the better the sandbox should be viewed from different parts of the site.

    DIY sandbox construction materials

    The easiest option for building a children's sandbox with your own hands is ready-made solutions sold in hardware stores. In this case, you will purchase a set of parts already cut to the required size, which you just need to fasten together. But here it will already be difficult to implement your own ideas: you will not be able to develop a model that meets your own needs. It should also be borne in mind that for a sandbox you will need high-quality fine sand without impurities, which, like other bulk building materials, can be ordered from specialized companies.

    DIY sandbox made of wood

    If you are planning to build a wooden sandbox, use untreated timber. Various chemicals very quickly get into the sand, which children sometimes taste. To prevent wood from rotting, use hardy species such as larch, Douglas fir, or robinia. It will cost more, but the sandbox will delight you longer. But spruce and fir wood is also suitable for building a sandbox with your own hands.

    Stone or concrete

    Paving stones can also be used instead of wood. The stone has an undeniable advantage: a stone sandbox will last you forever, and neither humidity nor temperature changes will be afraid of it. In addition, the paving stone sandbox is quick and easy to build. Do not forget to coat the joints of individual stones with concrete for greater reliability.

    Corner in the garden

    You can even build a whole children's castle from paving stones. Pick an unused spot in your garden and build relatively tall walls of any shape. In the photo above there is a huge sandbox-castle, where your child can play enough.

    Concrete blocks with flowers

    It is very convenient to build a sandbox from concrete blocks: you just need to set a border from blocks. But if suddenly the resulting sandbox seems gray and boring to you, then here's a great idea: plant flowers in recesses in blocks, involving children in community service. And the task of watering and caring for flowers will help develop a sense of responsibility in children.

    DIY sandbox from a tire

    Here's another simple, low-cost idea: If you have an old big tire in mind, it's easy to make a sandbox out of it. For more beauty, paint it with the kids in their favorite color.

    Is it worth digging in a sandbox?

    You can build a sandbox right on the ground, or you can dig it in. Which option you choose depends on how much time you are willing to devote to building the sandbox. In any case, a rooted sandbox has a more reliable design.

    Practical DIY sandbox ideas

    It is very convenient when it is possible to cover the sandbox when not in use. Then the wind will not carry debris into the sand, and the animals will not be able to do their deeds in the sandbox. The lid can be designed so that when open it becomes a comfortable bench on which the child can rest during the break between games.

    Here, however, such a problem arises that the cover will prevent rainwater from entering the sandbox, and it will not be possible to make Easter cakes from dry sand. Therefore, you need to consider how you can wet the sand before the game.

    The double-leaf lid for the sandbox has a big advantage: if you wish, one of the doors can be left closed and used as a place for storing small things or as a platform for building Easter cakes.

    If the sandbox does not have a lid, it will quickly fill with water in any rain. The sand can dry out on its own, but nevertheless, before building a sandbox with your own hands, you should think about drainage. To do this, you can put rubble on the bottom of the sandbox, cover it with a water-permeable cloth and fix it on the sandbox frame. This measure will also allow you to avoid unexpected guests in the form of insects and worms.

    Toy box

    Do you like practical solutions? Then we have an idea for you: place a place to store toys next to the sandbox. On the one hand, all the toys will always be at hand, and on the other hand, you will not need to remove the sand that has fallen from the bucket every time.

    2 in 1: storage chest and bench back

    With a stopper, you can turn the toy chest lid into a bench back. After all, even the most active children sometimes need a minute to relax.

    Sandbox on wheels

    If your garden is not so large, you can save space by attaching wheels to the sandbox, then at any time you can rearrange the garden in the garden. Here, too, it is advisable to take care of drainage, especially if the sandbox will most often be in the open air. It is best to use wooden planks as the bottom, leaving gaps between them. And so that the sand does not "run away", cover the day with a waterproof cloth.

    An unusually shaped sandbox

    When we talk about a sandbox, we immediately imagine a wooden square filled with sand. But this does not mean at all that we should limit our imagination to this representation. Why not make the sandbox, for example, hexagonal? A simple enough idea, but it gives the sandbox a completely different look.

    A tarp can be a worthy replacement for a lid

    It doesn't matter which shape you choose for your sandbox. But it is still important to take care of the protection of the sand. If building a lid seems like an unnecessary additional waste of time, here is an easier option: an ordinary tarp, which will perfectly protect the sandbox and its contents from the wind and rain, and from neighboring cats.

    DIY sandbox in the form of a ship

    In such a sandbox it will be possible not only to build castles, but also to play pirates. And the "sail" will additionally protect from the scorching sun. Original, isn't it?

    Photo: ziegler-spielplatz.de, deavita.com

    Is a great way to show love and care for your baby, as well as a subject of pride and admiration. After all, what could be better for beloved children than a safe, environmentally friendly and simply beautiful place for relaxation and fun.

    It is important to remember that playing in the sandbox develops the creative abilities of children, fine motor skills of the hands, the eye, patience, poise and even perseverance in achieving the goal - after all, sand is not the strongest building material. In addition, according to the assurances of psychologists, sand has a positive effect on the human psyche, absorbing negative energy, calms and stabilizes the nervous system.

    How to make a sandbox with your own hands: step-by-step instructions

    Today, parents and children are offered a wide range of sandboxes. The most advanced ones are plastic made of linear polyethylene. They are very safe - no splinters, plus - the rounded shape significantly reduces the possibility of injury.

    In addition, they are UV resistant, staying bright and attractive, they do not need to be dyed annually as wooden, and easy to clean. Staying in the sun, unlike metal ones, they practically do not heat up.

    And in terms of durability, they are significantly superior to both wooden and metal samples. Due to their low weight and modular design, they are quite mobile - they can be transported in a car, and in the winter they can be brought into barn... However, for all its advantages, a plastic sandbox is quite expensive, especially considering the "temporary" nature of the purchase.

    It can be just four high poles at the corners of the sandbox, on which an awning canopy will be fixed, or a canopy-roof made of wood, covering the entire area of ​​the sandbox. But more decorative will look like a sandbox-fungus, made with your own hands from a bar (section 10x10 cm) and a "hat" of triangular pieces of plywood. Under it, you can wait out the sudden onset of rain and hide from the sun.

    The costs of building a sandbox are minimal, and it will bring great pleasure to children. Of course, you can buy a ready-made structure and just fill it with sand, but a hand-made sandbox is much more interesting and convenient.



    Seat selection

    Before starting the construction of the sandbox, you need to find the most suitable place for it, because the comfort and safety of the baby depends on it. There are several rules for sandbox placement:


    For protection from the sun, you can place a sandbox under a small sturdy tree or build it. But you should not do this under old trees: at any time a heavy branch may fall from the tree onto the child.

    Prices for children's sandboxes

    Children's sandboxes

    Sandbox construction


    If you have chosen a place for the sandbox, you can start the main process. First you need to calculate the dimensions of the structure, choose the shape, and properly prepare the base. The size of the sandbox depends on the age and the number of children who will play in it. For three kids 1-3 years old, a section of 1.5x1.5 m is quite enough, for older children it is recommended to make sandboxes 2x2 m, and standard designs have dimensions of 1.7x1.7 m.

    Most often, the sandbox is rectangular or square, but sometimes round and hexagonal structures are found. Much depends on the fantasy of the master and his skill; if experience in such matters is minimal, it is better to stay with the standard square shape. Wood is used as a building material, namely pine boards.


    Additionally you will need:

    • shovel;
    • roulette;
    • pegs and rope;
    • geotextile;
    • sand;
    • rammer;
    • timber 50x50 mm;
    • hacksaw;
    • antiseptic impregnation;
    • liquid bitumen;
    • grinder.

    Step 1. Site preparation

    The selected area is cleared of stones, branches, weeds, and the surface is leveled. If the dimensions of the sandbox are 1.5x1.5 m, then the cleared area should be 10-15 cm larger on each side - this is necessary for more accurate marking.

    Step 2. Markup

    Now you need 4 pegs, a tape measure and a long rope. Visually determine the location of one of the corners of the structure, drive in a peg, draw two perpendicular lines from it, mark the location of the last corner. A rope is pulled between the pegs and the length of the diagonals inside the markings is checked. They must be exactly the same.

    Step 3. Preparing the base

    Inside the fence, a layer of soil is selected to a depth of at least 20-25 cm. The walls of the pit must be leveled so that they are strictly vertical. When all the soil is removed, the bottom is trimmed and compacted. Sifted fine sand is poured on top with a layer of 5 cm, well tamped.

    Step 4. Making the frame


    The bar is sawn into pieces 45 cm long, the lower ends are sharpened, polished, treated with impregnation and half-coated with liquid bitumen. Now you need to install them at the corners of the perimeter and deepen 15 cm into the soil. The next stage is to fasten the boards: they are knocked down in pairs and screwed to the bars with self-tapping screws. You can do it differently: first, completely assemble the frame, and then install it over the pit.





    Boards can be taken narrow or wide, the main thing is that the width of the walls is at least 30 cm. Be sure to treat the surface of each board with a grinding attachment on both sides, then soak and dry. After that, the boards are knocked down into a square box and reinforced at the corners with bars, which, on one side, should protrude 15 cm beyond the perimeter of the box.




    Step 5. Installation of the sides

    For the convenience of the child, small sides should be made around the perimeter of the frame. To do this, take 4 boards 20 cm wide, polish them very well, cover with an antiseptic and cut the edges at an angle of 45 degrees. Lay the boards on top of the walls, align and align the joints, screw tightly with self-tapping screws. The caps of the self-tapping screws should be well sunk into the wood so that the child does not get hurt. Sometimes, instead of the sides, corner benches are made: they take a board of short length, process it well, put it on two adjacent walls, stepping back a few centimeters from the corner. After that, the board is nailed on both sides, and the edges protruding beyond the perimeter are cut off.

    Step 6. Finishing the structure


    Now the sandbox needs to be painted correctly. For this, paints of 2-4 colors are chosen, always bright and contrasting. Bumpers or benches can not only be painted, but painted with ornaments, images of animals, flowers. Once the paint is dry, the structure is filled with sand.

    Prices for various types of building boards

    Construction boards

    Sandbox cover making

    An open sandbox becomes clogged very quickly, so you have to periodically sift the sand or change it altogether. To avoid such problems, it is recommended to install a wooden cover. It is not difficult to make it, and the result will be not only good protection from debris, but also comfortable benches. It is best to mount the cover before installing the frame in a permanent place.

    For work you will need:

    • pine boards 25 mm thick;
    • jigsaw;
    • long loops;
    • bolts with nuts;
    • self-tapping screws;
    • timber with a section of 30x50 mm;
    • primer;
    • dye;
    • drill.

    Step 1. Preparation of the material

    The boards are cut to the width of the sandbox, all surfaces and edges are treated with a grinding nozzle. After that, they are primed, dried and covered with two layers of paint. The hinges also need to be painted, otherwise traces of corrosion will appear after the first rain.

    Step 2. Assembling the first half of the cover


    Assembling the first half




    On one side, two boards are screwed onto the sandbox frame with self-tapping screws. Two more boards are connected with bars and attached with loops to the first. In this case, the bars should be at the bottom, and the hinges on top of the lid. They take two more boards and connect them with bars, the length of which exceeds the width of the shield. That is, on one side, the bars protrude a third beyond the edge of the board. This shield is also connected to the previous one using loops, only this time the loops should be at the bottom and the bars on top. The hinges are screwed to the wood with bolts, since the screws loosen quickly.


    Step 3. Assembling the second half


    This half can be made without a back, which makes the process a little easier. On the free side of the frame, not 2, but 3 boards are stuffed, then a shield of two boards is knocked down and fixed with loops, as in the previous case. To prevent the lid from sagging under the weight of children, it is reinforced in the middle with a bar. Now, when opening, the first half folds into a comfortable bench with a back, and the second simply folds back half its width.






    Installing the frame

    To install, you will need an assistant: the structure is lifted, turned over with protruding bars down and carefully lowered into the pit. The edges of the frame must match the edges of the foundation pit. To keep the sandbox level, you should check the location of the walls with a building level. If necessary, remove excess soil or add more, leveling the frame horizontally. After that, the bottom of the future sandbox is covered so that its edges go 3-5 cm onto the walls on each side. The dense material will protect the sand from erosion, prevent moisture from accumulating and prevent insects and moles from crawling underneath. In conclusion, the soil is compacted from the outside and dumped from gravel or sand.




    The sand layer for the game should be about 15 cm thick; it will take about a ton to fill a standard sandbox. It is recommended to choose river sand or quartz sand, which does not cake. Before backfilling, it must be sieved through a fine sieve to remove debris, vegetable impurities, insects.


    Installing a canopy

    Sandbox sheds come in a wide variety of shapes and materials. The most common option is fungus. For its manufacture, you will need a bar with a length of 3 m and a section of 100x100 mm, boards and plywood. Such a fungus is installed at the stage of preparing the base, since it must be dug in the center of the sandbox to a depth of 1 m.

    The manufacturing process is very simple:

    • the bar is polished, treated with an antiseptic;
    • the lower part is coated with bituminous mastic to a height of at least one meter;
    • 4 triangles are knocked down from the boards, sheathed with plywood;
    • connect the triangles to each other and attach to the upper part of the timber using spacers;
    • in the center of the pit they dig a hole 1 m deep;
    • insert a bar, level it with a plumb line;
    • They fill the hole with rubble and soil, tamp it.

    There is another version of the canopy: vertical posts are bolted in the center of two opposite walls of the frame. The height of the racks is 2 m; in the upper part of the support, they are connected with a horizontal rail, through which a rectangular piece of dense fabric or a special canopy is thrown. The ends of the canopy on each side are fixed with metal hooks to the walls of the sandbox.

    The described options are the most simple and popular; if desired, they can be supplemented at your discretion. The most important thing is that the design is as safe as possible, then the baby will be happy to play in it, and the parents will be able to relax a little.

    Video - DIY sandbox

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