The sandbox brings so much joy to children! But it is 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 the baby. When choosing a place, be guided by the following rules:

• The sandbox should be located in plain sight so that adults can to control baby activities. A playground for children's games is not a place behind a barn or high bushes.
• think about shadows. The play corner must be equipped so that one half of it remains in the sun, and the other allows you to hide from the scorching rays. It is good if a tree with a lush crown grows nearby.
• Or create a shadow themselves. There are no tall trees on the site, or are you not ready to constantly sweep fallen leaves from the sandbox? It doesn't matter: make a nice canopy in the form of an umbrella.

Size and preparation of the base of the sandbox, 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 1.7x1.7 m - it will be cozy here for both two-year-old little ones and already grown up tomboys. It is not difficult to build such a structure. But first you need to mark the site and make basis. To do this, you need a cord, marking tape and pegs.

The preparation of the base is carried out in several stages:

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

Sandbox base

This role can be played by anyone dense material: polyethylene, plywood (just do not forget to make holes in it, otherwise water will constantly accumulate in the sandbox), paving slabs. The main thing is to pour a small layer of sand before laying the material.

DIY sandbox photo step by step

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

Sandbox sides

It's time for the sandbox. They help to mark the territory of the playground, do not allow the sand to crumble and are actively used by children as an "exhibition area" for Easter cakes or just for relaxation.

For the sides will come in handy:

• 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 tree will quickly deteriorate, and the children will get a few splinters. Take a grinder or an electric drill, put on a sanding attachment and walk along the boards for horizontal sides. It is not necessary to grind the remaining boards and bars, but it is necessary to cover them in several layers with drying oil or any antiseptic. Bitumen is great.

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

Lid for sandbox

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 surely choose it as a toilet. Therefore, it is better to make a lid for the sandbox after all. This role may be played by:

Sandbox decoration

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

The last "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

Materials and dimensions of the sandbox

DIY sandbox photo step by step

So, you have decided that your child needs a sandbox. It is not necessary to do it yourself: now, in any children's goods store, ready-made designs are sold, which can only be installed in the chosen place. But this product is expensive, and it’s more pleasant to make a playground with your own hands. Moreover, it is easy to find hundreds of photos on the net 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 right size and well polish them so that the children do not get splinters. The width of the blanks should not be less than 30 mm.

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

Sandbox with your own hands. Drawing

How to make a children's sandbox?

When the materials are ready, it's time to proceed directly to creating a wooden sandbox with your own hands. It's quite easy if you follow the instructions:

Determine place for the playground. As mentioned above, the sandbox should be installed so that children do not suffer from hot sunlight and are visible. An open area is not suitable - choose a corner under a spreading tree that gives enough shade. And do not forget: the site should be clearly visible.

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

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

Prepare the surface and base for the sandbox. It must be such as to prevent the entry of insects and rodents, as well as the mixing of sand with the ground. Good for this purpose, agrofibre is suitable, which is attached to the boards using a conventional furniture stapler.

DIY sandbox photo step by step

Install bumpers sandbox, connecting the boards with self-tapping screws. This is the most convenient and affordable mounting option, which will give the structure the necessary strength. Even the constant pressure of a mass of sand cannot deform it.

Fasten wide horizontal boards around the perimeter of the playground so that children can relax while playing. You can also sit on comfortable benches with backs, which are easy to install on both sides of the building.

To understand how to make a sandbox with your own hands and find answers to all questions that may arise in the process, it is better to watch a video explaining all the installation steps. Perhaps you will find some ideas for various sandboxes made by yourself useful.

A simple sandbox made of large logs with your own hands

The design slightly resembles a traditional log house. Whole logs were used as walls, wide boards covered with light paint and used as benches are fixed on both sides. The flooring has become an excellent base that prevents soil from getting into the sand.

Sandbox-transformer with a folding lid

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

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

Short shelves of loops are attached to the received parts of the future cover, and the next pair of boards is screwed to the long ones. Keep in mind: the size of the blanks should be such that the long loop captures no less than half the width. This is necessary for structural strength.

The next board is attached using a regular loop, and so that the shelves remain on the other side. To install the second workpiece, a small bar is useful, which is stuffed on both sides, stepping back from the edge about 15 cm.

A piece of wood of suitable size is stuffed onto the first pair of boards, which will not allow the lid to bend and press on the hinges in the folded state.

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

To make the playground even more practical, we recommend that you use the space under the seats to store your toys by enclosing the space like a compartment. All the same, children mostly play in the center of the structure, and it will be possible to save money on sand.

DIY 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? Do-it-yourself sandbox is built like this:

An ordinary 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, the height of which should be noticeably higher than the main part. In the corners of the board, it is necessary to fasten it by hammering nails obliquely.

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.

Decor and additional devices are being built: equipment, masts, etc. The resulting boat is painted.

The structure can be added upon request. annex, which is installed on the other side of the sandbox. It is made from beams that are driven into the ground as poles, and sheets of plywood. In such a house it is convenient to store toys and start a variety of games.

DIY sandbox truck. step by step photos

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

What you need

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

• a sheet of plywood 1.5x1.5 m 1.8 cm thick (several sheets);
• fasteners (self-tapping screws, screws, metal corners);
• jigsaw;
• slate pencil, drawing tools, drawing paper;
• primer;
• outdoor 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 cab and the body. They can be made from 13 parts:

• Board of the body (2 pcs.)
• Hood
• front end
• body seat
• Body seat bottom
• Side with doorway (2 pcs.)
• steering wheel panel
• Roof
• Cabin seat
• Cabin seat bottom
• Back wall

DIY sandbox drawings. A 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 plywood. Then transfer the image to a tree and saw it 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 truck sandbox will be used outdoors and exposed to the weather, it should be treated. To do this, the entire surface is first covered with a primer, the second layer is applied paint for outdoor use.

DIY sandbox truck. Step by step instructions with photo

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

Sandboxes with a canopy. A photo

Very practical and decorative sandbox with a canopy. Many execution options:

A simple wooden structure with benches around the perimeter and a fabric canopy. For its construction, holes are made in wide horizontal boards on both sides of the sandbox, through which long thin slats pass, which serve as the basis. The roof is attached to them.

Sandbox with canopy. A photo

The sandbox is given the shape not of a square, but of a boat. To do this, on one side, two boards connected by a triangle are attached at once. The steering wheel is placed in the "bow". The fabric canopy is mounted on four supports.

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

Roofed sandbox. A photo

Another ship. As in the variant 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 one more in the center of the board on the opposite side). A "captain's bridge" with a helm is being built.

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

A playground with poles driven into the corners, on which a wooden gable roof is installed. At a small height between two pillars opposite each other, wide boards are fastened, acting as benches.

When there are children in the family, it is important to properly organize their leisure time, especially in the summer cottage, when parents are busy in the garden. Landscaping a children's play area begins with an idea for decorating a sandbox with your own hands.

Today, many interesting options have been proposed - from multi-level structures in the form of ships with sails to the simplest tire circle. But not only the original design and convenience are important, but also the safety of the place for children to play excitingly.

What materials are used to build country sandboxes

A dacha is a place where, for the sake of economy, everything that was expected to be used in a garage, a shed, on a balcony and mezzanines is used.

Much of the deferred "just in case" is also suitable for a playground with a children's sandbox:

• bricks and foam blocks;
• wooden chocks and bars;
• cutting boards;
• old skis;
• pieces of tarpaulin and camouflage net;
• plastic bottles;
• bald tyres.

The presence of suitable material determines the shape, size and height of the sides of the sandbox being built.

For maximum convenience and hygiene, it should have:

• lid;
• awning, canopy or "fungus";
• planes for laying out "pasochki";
• bench or seat;
• a place to store scoops, rakes, molds and buckets.

If necessary, some of the materials are purchased in addition. Particular attention should be paid to the quality of the paint, which is used to open the sides of the sandboxes. It should be non-toxic, odorless, dry quickly and not stick to your fingers.

Painting work is desirable to be done in the absence of children, showing the finished result as a gift, like a photo of a sandbox in bright colors.

The sandbox is needed not only to keep the child busy, it is useful for his development.

The construction of figurines develops spatial thinking, fine motor skills and creativity of the baby. Two or three companions in one sandbox - the opportunity to communicate and learn to build relationships.

If the children have too developed proprietary ambitions, it is advisable to build several departments with sand and give their own inventory.

The quality of sand in sandboxes in the country, as well as preschool institutions, has special requirements. Fresh river or quarry sand is best, which must be sieved to remove large fractions, glass and debris.

During the game, it gradually crumbles and spreads around the site, clogged with dust and garden vegetation. Over time, it is not only filled up, but also changed 2-3 times over the summer.

The children's sandbox should be closed from unexpected "visitors", and the polluted sand should be taken out of the site. A convenient sand cover is easy to build from the remnants of old furniture, an inflatable boat and other improvised materials.

Choosing a playground for a children's sandbox

It is desirable to ennoble a favorite place for children's games with sand. Lawn or paving slabs are much better than an abandoned lawn with roots and branches.

Ideally, a cultivated place with a green lawn, but gradually it will be covered with sand. A sandbox can be built among flower beds, right next to a garden path in landscape design, when there is no other place.

Note!

The best location for a playground is opposite the windows of the kitchen, where mom and grandmother often cook. The kid will be in sight, but no one will distract him from the exciting game.

Tip: If there is no suitable place at all (around the garden and vegetable garden), the mobile sandbox in the form of a box on wheels can be moved under the window or removed to another place along the hard surface of the courtyard.

But you need to be very careful when a car or motorcycle enters the yard.

Attention: It is undesirable to build a sandbox under a tree from which flowers, branches, leaves and ripe fruits are showered. Wasps and flies flock to rotting fruit, which are unsafe for children. Caterpillars can fall from branches. When treating trees from garden pests, toxic chemicals can get into the sandbox.

How to make an inexpensive country sandbox with your own hands

The simplest structure with a round shape is made from a large tire. In this case, sandbox drawings and additional costs are not needed.

• On the prepared site, mark the place where the tire with sand will stand.
• The bottom is fixed on the ground or an asphalted area with metal pins, it is possible to partially deepen the tire.
• The bottom of the “loose tank” is covered with a tarpaulin so that living creatures from the ground do not crawl into the sand.
• The surface of the tire is painted at its discretion, but can be left uncoated.
• It is desirable to install a bench and an awning nearby, but a beach umbrella is enough if the child rarely visits the country.

Note!

Another option is a classic square or rectangular sandbox with wooden sides. It is made from the remains of an edged board 20-30 cm high. For the simplest design, a drawing is needed to accurately calculate the consumption of materials and mark the sawing of the boards.

It is convenient for children when there are benches or triangular crossbars in the corners on the sides, on top there is an awning from the sun or a “fungus”, as in the photo.

For 2-3 kids, it is better to make a spacious sand box. Any design in the corners is fixed with pegs. It is better to pave the bottom with hollow bricks - excellent drainage and a solid foundation.

Children most of all like colorful sandboxes of free form made of stumps or in the form of attractive objects.

There are also more complex ideas for decorating a sandbox in landscape design - a whole children's town with slides and houses. For a structure, a rocket, a boat, a car or a tower, you need a lot of expenses and the hands of a master.

If there is no grandfather or father in the family who can make a real country masterpiece under the sand, you should not deny the baby such joy. You can invite a specialist from a specialized company by showing him a photo example from our gallery.

Note!

DIY sandbox photo

The suburban area actually requires attention and care all year round. Adults, busy with chores, cannot devote enough time to children. Therefore, it is very important to organize the leisure of children in the country. The ideal option is to build a children's playground. And it is better to start the device of a children's corner with a sandbox. A do-it-yourself sandbox, even as an independent element, will keep little fidgets busy for a long time.

It is necessary to choose the place of installation of the future sandbox and materials for its manufacture, taking into account the following factors:

• Children, even those who are keen on the game, need supervision. Therefore, the sandbox must be installed so that the child is always visible to adults.
• The sun's rays can harm the health of the child, lead to sunstroke and burns, but a solid shadow is not the best option. Therefore, it is desirable to place part of the sandbox in the shade, and part in an open place so that the sand can dry out after rain.
• Drafts and excess moisture also adversely affect the health of children. Therefore, the sandbox should be located away from the water and not stand in the open wind.
• From trees, especially old ones, dust and dry leaves often pour. Therefore, in order to avoid sand pollution, it is better to install the structure away from them.
• Some plants lead to allergies, and some attract stinging insects. Therefore, you need to make sure that there are no honey plants and plants that cause allergies nearby.
• Well-crafted wood and reliable fastenings will help to avoid splinters and injuries.
• Hard materials such as stone, brick or iron can also cause harm, so it is advisable to stop using them. And of course, you need to make sure that there are no sharp corners, nails, cords, and so on.

In addition to the entertainment function, sand games perform a developing and psychological one. Soft bulk material calms and liberates the nervous system, promotes the development of creativity, fine motor skills of hands, perseverance.

Different types of sandboxes: pros and cons (table)

Classification parameter	View	Description
Design features	open sandbox	A typical simple design that performs the main function - a playground
	closed sandbox	The presence of a cover allows you to keep children's crafts intact, protect the sand from weathering, debris, excess moisture and unpleasant "gifts" from animals that can use the sandbox as a toilet. It is easy to store children's equipment under the lid. And the cover, which transforms into benches, will provide additional space for relaxation and games.
Material	Wood	Natural, eco-friendly material is easy to handle. With good tools, even an inexperienced craftsman will cope with the manufacture of the simplest design. It is important to sand the parts well, round the corners and edges to avoid injury. The only negative is that wood is short-lived. It dries out, rots, bugs can start. You can avoid this if you carefully process the future sandbox.
	Plastic	Plastic is a durable, strong, safe, beautiful material. Such a model is easy to dismantle, put away for storage or transport to another place. The main disadvantage is that not everyone can afford a plastic sandbox.
	Other materials	To this day, other materials are used to make sandboxes: brick, stone, metal. But these materials do not guarantee the safety of children. Hard, sharp surfaces increase the risk of injury.
Type of allocation	advanced	The sandbox can be deepened into the ground, which is very effective for strengthening the foundation. In this case, drainage with a thickness of about 15 cm is necessary in order to avoid the accumulation of moisture. Then it is covered with agrofiber or a dense film, in which holes are made every 10 cm. Such a base will prevent grass germination, the appearance of insects and sand mixing with the soil.
	uplifted	This design is installed on a concrete base or grass. It is necessary to provide that even the smallest child can independently climb into it, for which low sides 380-400 mm high are made, which are half covered with sand.
Configuration	Figured sandboxes	Constructions in the form of cars, boats, flowers, animals, and so on, serve as an additional game detail.
	Game centers	The simplest example is a stump sandbox. The child can not only play with sand, but also run around the structure itself.

Photo gallery of options

You don't have to stick to the traditional square shape. Use of car tires
It is necessary to protect the child from the sun's rays: a bright large umbrella will help The lid will help protect the sand from debris and moisture. The bright cover transforms into comfortable seats, thus adding a place to relax Easier to use, but more difficult to manufacture, solid lid version It can also serve as a separate game element Such a sandbox allows the child not only to play with sand, but also to walk along the sides, to warm up a little Typical sandbox - easy to manufacture To protect children from the sun, you can make a canopy It will also protect the sand from dirt. The original boat will please your child Another version of the sandbox in the form of a ship

Preparatory work

Given all of the above, it is more convenient and practical to make an in-depth wooden sandbox with a lid.

Drawings and dimensions of the children's sandbox

Initially, you need to decide on the size of the future design. If there are a lot of children and there is enough space on the site, then you can make a large sandbox 2x2 m in size. For the games of one or two children, it is quite enough to make a square structure 1.5x1.5 m in size.

Despite the simplicity of the design of the future sandbox, it is better to have a visual diagram in front of your eyes. Thus, you first need to draw a drawing that will help you determine the right materials, correctly calculate the dimensions and quantity.

Looking at the drawing, you can see that the side boards on both sides should be slightly longer in order to form the correct closed angle.

How to choose material

Consider the following facts:

• Tree tree - discord. The durability of the structure may depend not only on the quality of processing, but also on the type of wood: pine, linden or larch are less susceptible to decay.
• The sides of the future design must withstand heavy loads. To ensure strength, it is necessary to use boards with a thickness of at least 30 mm.
• Sanding and sanding an already assembled structure is extremely inconvenient. It is advisable to grind the prepared parts well before assembly and treat with an antiseptic, which will avoid unprotected places. It would be prudent to paint the iron hinges in advance too.
• Most importantly, do not forget what is inside. The sand must be clean, free of foreign impurities, well sculpted. Therefore, it is better to give preference to river or quartz sand, after sifting it through a fine sieve, which will help get rid of dust, possible insects, and foreign objects.

Materials and tools (for a structure measuring 1500x1500 mm)

When purchasing materials, the presence of a foundation cannot be discounted. To build the foundation you will need:

• expanded clay, small stones or river pebbles for drainage;
• agrofibre, dense polyethylene or plywood sheet.

The basis of the sandbox is a frame with sides of 1500x1500 mm. To make a frame you will need:

• timber 50x50x450 mm (for corner elements) - 4 pieces;
• beam 50x50x1000 mm (for strengthening corners) - 1 piece;
• board 30x150x1500 mm (side walls are short) - 4 pieces;
• board 30x150x1560 mm (side long) - 4 pieces;
• sealant - 1620mm;
• self-tapping screws 45 mm - 50 pieces.

A transformer cover will be attached to the finished frame. For her, you need to prepare the following materials:

• board 20x125x1560 mm - 12 pieces;
• timber 30x30x250 mm (for fastening the seat) - 4 pieces;
• timber 30x30x450 mm (to strengthen the back) - 4 pieces;
• loops (canopies) 40 mm - 12 pieces;
• self-tapping screws 45 mm - 50 pieces;
• self-tapping screws 25 mm - 60 pieces.

For processing and registration you need:

• wood preservative;
• wood primer;
• paint or varnish for coloring.

The materials are ready, but without the tools, the process will not budge. Therefore, it is necessary:

• roulette;
• pencil;
• pegs with a rope tied to them;
• shovel;
• hacksaw or jigsaw;
• grinder or sandpaper;
• drill and drills;
• screwdriver or a set of screwdrivers.

Step-by-step instructions: making and installing a wooden sandbox with a lid

The work is best done in several stages. First of all, it is desirable to assemble the frame of the sandbox, then make the base and install the box in the prepared place. And only after that, install the cover.

Case assembly

We fasten the sanded and antiseptic-treated boards together in the form of a square using corner elements - long bars, not forgetting to pre-outline and drill holes for self-tapping screws.

If ordinary insulation is glued between the first and second tiers, the boards will fit closer to each other and the sand will not spill out into the cracks.

To avoid spilling sand through the cracks between the boards, it is advisable to glue the usual insulation

To give greater strength to the future sandbox, you need to securely fix the corners with the help of additional bars.

An additional bar attached diagonally will add reliability to the structure

The ends of the corner bars, approximately 15 cm long, will be in the ground, so they must be covered with drying oil, bitumen or used machine oil. Now the frame of the future sandbox can be carefully transferred to the installation site.

The frame of the future sandbox is ready for installation

Foundation construction and frame installation

The site, selected taking into account all the tips and recommendations, is leveled and cleaned of debris. For more accurate marking, it is necessary to add 15–20 cm to the dimensions of the future sandbox on each side. We make markings with the help of pegs with a rope stretched over them, checking the correctness of the angles.

We remove the top layer to a depth of about 20–25 cm, making a slight slope towards the center. This is necessary so that the water that gets into the sandbox does not accumulate, but falls into the drainage. In the center we make a hole with a diameter of about 50 cm and about the same depth. We fill it with material prepared for drainage.

Then it is necessary to pour a five-centimeter layer of sand and carefully compact it.

The base itself, which can be made of different materials, is laid on the resulting “pillow”. The main thing is not to forget to make holes in it at a distance of about 10 cm from each other, again to prevent the accumulation of moisture.

We install the finished frame on the resulting base. Now you can proceed to the main stage.

Mounting the cover that transforms into seats

We thoroughly fasten two boards on each side to the sides. Then we proceed to the assembly of the moving parts of the cover. To do this, we fasten the remaining boards in pairs with the help of bars.

The elements obtained from the first pairs will serve as the seat, and the elements with long bars will serve as the back. The protruding parts of the beam will act as a support, preventing the back from leaning back.

We attach the “seat” element to the firmly screwed boards with the help of three loops located at the same distance from each other. In this case, the hinges should be on top, and the bars connecting the seat boards should be on the bottom.

We attach the back to the seat, also with the help of hinges, not forgetting that this time the hinges “look” inside the box, and the bars are outside.

In this assembly option, the last stage is rather problematic, because the back part has to be screwed on actually by weight. There is another way. First, fasten the back and seat together, and only then put them on top of the box and attach them to the rigidly attached boards.

Attention! To avoid possible injuries, it is important to "drown" the hats of the screws. You should also check that the lid opens and closes easily.

Finishing

So, the sandbox is ready! Now it is desirable to smooth out possible corners with sandpaper or a grinder. After that, even if all the wooden and iron parts have already been processed, it is better to go through the antiseptic again.

You can simply varnish the resulting design, but it is best to paint. And here fantasy comes to the rescue. Do not forget that this is a playground for children. And kids love bright colors. Color the sandbox with different colors. Additionally, you can draw patterns, funny pictures by hand or apply through a stencil. The main thing is that the children are happy, and they feel comfortable in the new sandbox.

To prevent small builders from spreading sand throughout the site, it is better to make a separate path to the sandbox.

Video: do-it-yourself transformer sandbox making workshop

It is easy to please a child by making a bright, beautiful sandbox with your own hands. It doesn't matter if it's a simple sand box or an interesting design. The main thing is that the sandbox is pleasing to the eye, safe and comfortable. And then the child will receive incomparable pleasure. And if the children are happy, then the parents are happy.

Why do children need a sandbox, there is no need to explain. There is hardly anyone who did not play in the sand as a child. You can make a good sandbox on your own in just half a day. This will not only save a certain amount, but, perhaps more importantly, will make my father's authority much more significant. A do-it-yourself sandbox is built for family use when the first-born is already stomping cheerfully, and a collective one is at the beginning of the arrangement of a children's town in the local area.

A sandbox for children's games is, as you know, 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. He is the main thing in the sandbox, because. is most susceptible to pollution, and the children's sandbox must comply with 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 an amount of ordinary sand at home for a children's sandbox, you will need to set up a whole production. Purchased mixtures are not cheap, and no one can give a reliable guarantee that they will retain their properties on the street. If they still correspond to the declared. However, a certain type of building 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 the choice of sand for the sandbox.

Location selection

To properly make a sandbox, you must first choose a suitable place for it. Position the sandbox on the site, as shown in Fig; in general, in the sector from north to southeast. It's about ultraviolet (UV). In the morning, when the air is fresher and more transparent, its share in 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 and more saturated air, the share of UV decreases somewhat, but its spectrum becomes tougher. Therefore, in the afternoon, a shadow should fall on the sandbox.

However, building a sandbox under a tree is not recommended. You can not wait for leaf fall: in the summer, garbage will pour into the sandbox, bird droppings and insects will fall. Spiders are absolutely not needed in the sandbox: a cross that is safe for an adult can bite through children's skin, and spider venom does not cause immunity, but, on the contrary, sensitization, increased sensitivity to it. Most spiders cannot stand bright light and dryness, therefore the sandbox should be located no closer than 3-4 m from frequently watered beds, bushes, a pond, a fountain, etc. sources of moisture.

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

Site preparation

Sandboxes are made permanent, wintering in the open air, and seasonal, which are removed under the roof for the winter. The latter are not necessarily with a bottom that requires more material and adds weight. Permanent sandboxes are built, as a rule, for several generations by children, and seasonal ones are a typical sandbox for a summer cottage. With more or less careful use, it will serve not only children, but also grandchildren. The construction of a sandbox of both types differs, in essence, only in the way the box is installed, see below.

Anyway preparation of a place for a sandbox and its fixation on it is carried out in stages as follows:

• In the selected area, the sod or the upper loose / littered soil layer is removed by 15-20 cm, i.e. for half a bayonet of a shovel, and with the same exit to the sides;
• The site is leveled, covered with any sand with a layer of 5-6 cm, and passed with a rake;
• The sandy backfill is covered with geotextiles, agrofiber or, in a very budgetary version, propylene matting from old bags spread on the panels, with a 30-40 cm extension along the contour. Such insulation will not let roots and soil animals into the sandbox, but will let them out into the ground excess moisture;
• After installing the box (see Fig.), the insulation lapels are folded up and temporarily attached with tape to the sides of the box;

• The trench surrounding the box is covered with excavated soil, ramming it;
• Excess insulation is cut off or tucked up, tucked in with a sliver, ruler, etc.

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

Does the sandbox need a lid?

Why sand is attractive to cats and dogs and why their completely natural needs are incompatible with human hygiene is understandable. It is also highly undesirable for children to play on completely damp sand. It molds better, but not for long before a cold. You can, of course, when the sandbox is not in use, put pipes, boards, poles on it, cover it with foil and press it down with bricks. But in the adult summer, when there are so many worries on the site, it is troublesome and does not diminish the trash on the territory. Therefore, the cover of the sandbox is still needed.

Note: in purchased expensive mixtures for sandboxes, fragrances are introduced that repel animals. But, first of all, they “fizzle out” pretty soon. Secondly, there is no independent medical statistics on the impact of these substances on human health. Since we are talking about the health not just, but of children, then, as they say, it is better to stay away from sin.

A sandbox with a lid, if we exclude the completely exotic variants of a fan lid, self-lifting with a mechanism, etc., is done in three ways, see fig. above. The simplest option is a regular shield made of boards or plywood, as in fig. left. But then, without the help of adults (perhaps, they are very busy right now), they cannot get into the sandbox. Secondly, because of such sandbox covers, injuries are possible. A neat, quick-witted and independent child, trying to put his workplace in order in an adult way, pulls a shield that is too heavy for him, and he falls on the little owner. Serious cases were not noted, not a roar and resentment is enough.

The second option is a folding lid, or a book that transforms into a convenient bench, on the left in fig. It's not hard to make one; the scheme of the transformer cover device for the sandbox is shown in fig. on right. Materials - boards (100-150) x (20-30) and bars 50x50. The bar (a) in the closed sandbox is under the lid, and the bar (b) is on it, so there is no need to calculate exactly the indents / gaps / offsets with this mechanism. The removal of the beam (b) adjusts the inclination of the backrest.

Loops 1 card with wings as wide as the thickness of the board; loop 2 is better to take barn. In the middle of the upper boards of the back, cut-outs are made (shown by the arrow on the left in the figure above). If the cover is needed deaf, 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 elder (eldest) may have already outgrown the sandbox, but takes care of the little brother (sister). Then the elder, who is already able to lift a fairly large sheet of plywood or painted chipboard, will have at his disposal a game / desktop table, well, and the little one will have his own.

Topside

materials

Sandboxes are preferably made of wood; 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 more than 10 years, which is more than enough for a sandbox. Other options for building a sandbox will be discussed later, but for now let's take a look at the wooden ones.

Part preparation

The preparation of the material for the manufacture of a sandbox made of wood is reduced to a double impregnation of the parts ready for assembly 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 and crannies that retain moisture (this is the so-called capillary blockage) in the sandbox, they are all well ventilated and / or are in contact with greedily absorbent sand. Free work, which in many other cases helps out the home master, is not applicable in this case, because. motor oils contain additives, the presence of which is unacceptable in children's household items.

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

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

As for the choice of the type of lumber, it is best to use quarter or grooved boards, they will exclude the penetration of atmospheric moisture into the sand through the walls. The tongue-and-groove, in addition, will make it possible to arrange strong wide benches, see Fig., And the folding cover of the sandbox will be made reliable and durable. A perfectly solid sandbox is obtained from a grooved board with a thickness of 16-20 mm. Of course, when assembling the box, the tongue tongue comb of the top board will have to be removed.

Note: the crest of the tongue and groove of the sides of the box should always point upwards, and the crest of the bottom quarter, if quarter boards are used, 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 at the corners with self-tapping screws to pieces of timber 50x50 long in height of a box for a seasonal sandbox or with "legs" of 30-40 cm for a permanent one. A 100-mm board requires 2 attachment points, and a 150-mm board 3. If the walls are made of a simple edged or quarter board, and their length exceeds about 1.8 m, then in the middle of each wall another piece of the same beam is attached.

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

Board seats

The board of a sandbox represents a frame from boards. It gives her box additional rigidity, serves as a seat and a shelf for toys. To make the board even, the ends of its boards are sawn at 45 degrees. Here, firstly, it is necessary to pay attention to the coincidence of the edges. The protrusion of the corner, see Fig., is traumatic, children scratch on such hooks, as if they are being pulled there by a magnet. Such flaws must be filed and the outer corners of the board should be sanded to roundness.

How the board is superimposed on the box can be seen in pos. 1 fig. Definitely attach it to the corner and intermediate racks. But if you leave it like that, the board will soon break off.

Fastening to the edge of the drawer board, pos. 2, not quite reliable, the kids are fickle people. Backing block B is also not an ideal way out, it prevents children from sticking 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 to cut the plinth-fillet from 40x40 mm, pos. 3. For 1 m of the length of the side, a piece of 30 cm long, installed in the middle, is enough. Attachment points - 3, i.е. in increments of 10 cm. In addition, if the same supports are installed under the outer side extension, then its fastening can be made hidden.

Roof

Based on the conditions of the sandbox, it is clear that she needs a roof. The classic version is fungus. But adults who remember how they played in the sandbox also remember that he doesn’t really hide from anything, only he has to hit his forehead every now and then. In the center of the sandbox is the game, and there is a pillar sticking out. The fungus on the playground, of course, is needed for quiet and quiet games, but aside. And it makes sense to make a sandbox with a fungus only if there are wastes of 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 a fungus from improvised materials.

Video: do-it-yourself sandbox with a fungus

The most durable and reliable version of the sandbox roof is on 4 pillars, pos. 1 in fig. There is only one problem - with a nose-pocket, then the fidgets have the same problem as reckless drivers with a radiator: always in front of him is either a tree or a pole.

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

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

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

Mounting order

This question only applies to permanent sandboxes. And the very question is how to assemble the product from parts: on the spot, similarly to "adult" buildings, or, for example, a dog house, entirely where it is more convenient, see the figure, and put it in place assembled. For a sandbox, the second option is definitely preferable, because. allows to significantly reduce the amount of excavation work. This is also significant because the sandbox is placed on a well-developed territory, and you don’t want to mutilate a lawn or playground, in which a lot of work has also been invested.

Another argument in favor of installing a finished box is that when assembling it on site, you will definitely need leveling, sizing and straightening the contour. The country toilet oblique will not stand for a long time; sandbox in terms of more. And the finished box with sides is rather rigid, it is lightly loaded and will hold on even if the zero cycle is far from perfect.

The step-by-step instructions for installing the assembled sandbox in place are as follows:

1. A pit is being prepared as described above, but so far without sand filling and without laying insulation;
2. In places where the posts (columns) go into the ground, a hand drill with a diameter of 80-100 mm drills holes to a depth of penetration of the posts plus 10-15 cm, i.e. 40-55 cm, because it is enough to deepen the racks by 30-40 cm. With a 10-cm drill, this work is done effortlessly, 5-10 minutes per well;
3. In the process of sand filling for insulation, the wells are filled with sand about half or slightly higher;
4. The “legs” of the box are sharpened before being processed with bitumen, hemmed with an ax or filed into a wedge or into an elongated pyramid;
5. When the insulation is laid, it is cut with petals above the wellheads;
6. The box is placed “with its feet” in the wells and upset by the level to the place, first with the hands, and then by tapping the ends of the racks with a snow leopard - a wooden sledgehammer. It is not necessary to beat with all your might, you need to gradually beat it, passing along the contour;
7. The roof, if provided, is assembled on site.

Note: you can make a snow leopard with your own hands from a deck or trim a bar from 130x130 cm, mounted on a handle.

More materials

For quick self-assembly of sandboxes, plastic modules are produced, see Fig., In trade practice, for some reason, they are called linear polyethylene. Nothing bad is known about them, but if you equip a garden or break a flower bed, then they can be replaced with elements of a border for flower beds from a garden constructor; especially - elements for flower beds on the lawn. They are suitable in height, sand will not spill through the joints, they do not require earthworks, but they hold firmly in the ground. And the costs for the sandbox from the garden border will be less.

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

Sandbox-boat with a box - a compartment for toys

Helpful Improvements

This is primarily a sandbox-boat. It is not much more difficult to make than usual, but in the bow compartment, which in real courts is called the forepeak, it is very convenient to store toys and even small gardening accessories. Romance in the game, that goes without saying. In this case, the forepeak is provided with a hatch cover and fenced off from the sandbox itself with a blank wall - a bulkhead, see fig. Since the boat is, then we will call its parts in the sea. If the forepeak is part of a sandbox, then it is not worth making a deck over it, sand without sunlight can 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 that when the child outgrows playing in the sand, you can lay the floor in it, sheathe the walls and thus get a playhouse. The diagram of the device of the sandbox-house is shown in fig. left.

About corners

If the dimensions of the sandbox in terms of plan do not exceed approximately 2x2 m, then it is possible to 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. Psychologically, this option is preferable for individualistic children.

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

What kind of sand to take?

Now back to the question of which of the construction sands is suitable for the sandbox. Small, almost white, pos. 1 next. rice. – definitely not. He, from the point of view of the child, is badly molded. And in an adult way, it is very dusty, climbs into the eyes and everywhere, microscopically injuring the skin, which can contribute to allergies. Adult construction workers, healthy hardy uncles, work with such sand, wear protective clothing, respirators and goggles.

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

Red sand, traded as ravine, pos. 3, molded perfectly, but 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. Malicious micro-life is just that and give it.

For a sandbox, moderately yellowish sand of medium size is best suited, pos. 4. There is enough clay in it for very thin modeling, but it wraps the grains in a thin dense layer, making them not traumatic and unsuitable for the settlement of microorganisms. Repeatedly, up to 3-4 times, such sand (it goes on sale most often 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 a film.
• In the spring, the sandbox is filled when the weather is warm.
• If the sand wintered in it, then it is selected and winnowed after complete drying, see below.
• The sandbox is refilled in layers, in layers of 7-10 cm.
• Sand is poured into a box with winnowing, i.e. a jet from a bucket from a height of human growth with a wind of medium strength.
• The backfilled layer is dried in air for at least a day before backfilling the next one.

Unusual

There is also such a kind of sandbox as a desktop one. Generally speaking, children, playing in it, are much more likely to clog their eyes, nose, mouth, because. the head is kept straight, and not tilted face down. In addition, the construction of a desktop sandbox is a complicated matter, because. even a small amount of sand requires at least half a ton. And if the desktop sandbox is home, then you will need a separate room that does not communicate directly with others.