Every small child loves to spend time in a sandbox, so why not build your own? Sandboxes bring back memories of long summer days of building and burying, and learning through play. Playing in sand helps to develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination. With a sandbox placed in the right spot in your garden, your children will have hours of fun in the sun.
The wood you choose for your sandbox must be robust, durable, and weather-resistant. Dense wood is best as you do not want the wood to chip or splinter. Splintered or chipped wood could injure a child.
We have gathered the information that will assist you in making the correct choices when choosing the best wood for your sandbox. This article explains how to make the box, liner, and cover. We offer tips on maintaining the sandbox for good health and durability.
Table of Contents
The Best Wood To Use For Making Your Sandbox
When making a sandbox that will be open to the elements, ensure that the wood you purchase is heartwood; it is easily recognizable as it is a darker, richer color than the softer sapwood surrounding it. Heartwood, also known as duramen, is the dense dead wood found in the deepest part of the trunk of a tree. It is rugged and durable and is resistant to decay.
Available timber will differ, depending on where you are situated, so visit your local sawmill when choosing what timber to use for your sandbox. Most sawmills employ trained personnel who can help you to choose the most suitable wood for your purposes.
Ipe ironwood, white oak, and osage orange are all types of timber that will withstand rot and moisture. They are also rugged and durable and will not easily chip or splinter. Black locust is another excellent choice. It is tough, so the screw holes must be pre-drilled, but they will last longer if well-looked.
Redwood, cedar, and cypress are among the most durable timbers you can find. They are also resistant to termites.
Although durable, cypress is not the most water-resistant of the three types of wood. It also tends to lose its shape, warping if it gets wet. Since you won’t want to move the sandbox every time you expect rain, cypress is probably not the best timber.
Redwood is a softer timber prone to splintering, so it also takes a backseat when deciding what wood to use.
Cedar is one of the most popular timbers used to manufacture sandboxes. It is a hardwood, so it resists splintering and, unlike cypress, can withstand moisture. It is not as expensive as the other two durable timbers.
The only downside to cedar is that it is not the strongest timber you can find. You can, however, overcome this shortfall by making braces for the corners of the box, giving it strength.
Wood That Should Not Be Used For A Sandbox
One of the choices you will have to make when buying wood for your sandbox is whether to buy treated or untreated wood. Treated wood is steeped in chemicals. Since you plan to use it for a child’s play area, you should carefully consider the chemicals to which it has been exposed. Some of the chemicals that are used to treat wood are very toxic and should not be used.
If you decide to go the untreated route, you should ensure that you buy sturdy wood that is rot and water-resistant. Painting or varnishing the wood will help to protect it from the elements.
Cover That Sandbox
Your sandbox must be kept covered whenever it is not in use. This will ensure that it remains clean and sterile for longer. It will also ensure that the sand remains dry. Animal droppings and plant matter can accumulate in the sand, and this can, in turn, create a health hazard for your children.
The cover that you make should completely cover the box. The cover must have the same attributes as the sandbox. It must be durable, weather-resistant, and not rot or absorb moisture. This means that you can make the cover with the same type of wood that you chose for the box. Alternatively, you can select plastics or tarpaulin.
Covers are also available at hardware or toy stores and online. The quality of the available covers is generally reasonable.
However, they can also be expensive, so making one may be your best option. Good covers fix with snaps or ties, keeping them firmly in place.
Plywood is a relatively cheap option for making a cover. It is easy to obtain, and it is environmentally friendly. It will, however, warp and rot when it gets wet, and the moisture will destroy it over time.
A plastic tarp is a good option. It is lighter than plywood, making it easier for you to cover and uncover the sandbox. It is also quick and easy to cut the tarp to a size that fits the sandbox. A tarp will keep the sand in the box perfectly dry if fitted correctly.
Plastic tarps are easy to find and relatively inexpensive. Place something in the center of the sandbox so you can steeple the tarp, and all the excess water will runoff. You can use Velcro to attach the tarp to the top of the sandbox to keep it covered.
One last note if the sand in the sandbox becomes wet at any time, give it time to dry before you cover it up. Water left in the box will become smelly and create a health hazard.
How To Build a Sandbox
It is not difficult to build a sandbox. You certainly don’t need to be a carpenter to accomplish the task, and there are many ways to build a sandbox.
Here are our plans for building a Sandbox
- Choose Location
Carefully choose the spot where you want to place the sandbox. It should be in the line of sight. A level area is advisable. An area that gets sunshine and a little shade are best.
- Gather your supplies
You will need Wood, Landscaping fabric (optional), Brass wood screws, Primer and paint or oil stain, Play Sand, A circular or jigsaw, Drill, and bits.
- Determine Measurement
Determine the size of your sandbox and then subtract the width of the timber to calculate the length of each piece of timber. You will need three pieces of timber for each side of the sandbox.
- Outline the Shape of the Sandbox
Arrange the wood into the shape of the sandbox, butt jointing each of the logs. Let the natural curve of the wood face inwards. Use the screws most appropriate to your chosen wood and a power drill.
- Make the Sandbox Bottom
Your sandbox does not have to have the floor, but if you choose to forego the floor, you run the risk of the frame warping and pulling apart over time. If you go with the floor, the job is easily accomplished using interlocking boards. Drill several drain holes into the base of the sandbox.
- Nail landscaping fabric if you’re not using a wooden floor.
If you have chosen not to make a wooden floor. Cut four ninety-degree triangles and fit one to each corner as a brace—nail landscaping fabric to the base of the sandbox.
- Painting the outside of the box
Prop the sandbox up to paint the outside walls with primer and non-toxic paint, or varnish it and enjoy the rustic beauty of the wood.
- Painting the inside of the box
Place the sandbox back on the ground and paint the inside walls in a similar fashion.
- Fill the box with sand.
Fill the box with twenty to thirty bags of play sand. Make sure that the sand that you use plays grade sand. It has a low abrasion texture and is non-toxic. Other sand could contain fillers like clay which can stain the clothing. Play-grade sand is also easier to keep clean and doesn’t form lumps.
The Best Finish For A Sandbox
Since your sandbox is intended for use by children, you should take care in choosing the finish for the sandbox. Ensure that any paints that you choose are non-toxic.
An oil-based stain is also a good choice as it lets the beauty of the wood show through, and it will blend beautifully into the surroundings. The oil in the stain will also offer the wood the required protection from the elements.
The Best Sandbox Liner
If you have chosen to forego the wooden base on your sandbox, you will need a liner for the box.
Landscaping fabric is the best material for this purpose. Just ensure that it is not too tightly secured, or you could find that the weight in the box could result in the liner breaking.
Whatever fabric you use must allow the water to escape; otherwise, when the sand gets wet, the water will remain in the box and stagnate and become smelly.
This is why a plastic liner is not suitable.
How To Maintain Your Sandbox
It is essential for your children’s health that your sandbox is regularly maintained.
Never allow animals to play in the sandbox.
Ensure that children who are not yet potty-trained are wearing a diaper when they get into the sandbox. It would be best if you changed diapers regularly to prevent leakage.
Do not allow children to eat in the sandbox. Food debris in the sand can result in bacteria and fungus and attract animals and insects into the box.
How Often Should You Clean Your Sandbox?
How often you clean the sandbox will depend on how often it is used. Frequently used sandboxes should be cleaned at least once a week. Use a rake or litter box scoop to search through the sand, looking for lumps or foreign objects.
Replace the sand every year!
If you notice splinters in the wood, sand them down before they cause injury.
With basic routine maintenance such as a regular lick of paint, your sandbox should look good for years, keeping your children busy and teaching them new skills.
Have you made a sandbox recently? Send a picture to admin@thekidstoyscenter.com, and we might showcase your creation!
