How to Build a DIY Sandbox

Brainstorming sandbox ideas and forming your plans beforehand will ensure that this DIY project will go smoothly. Pick a location with enough space for the finished sandbox: the 8-foot-by-8-foot frame we're building takes up 64 square feet. You may prefer to have less yard to mow, but if you can't spare the space, you can build a smaller sandbox in the area that you have. The plans below can easily be resized as needed.

Sun or Shade?

A sandbox in full sun means children are exposed to UV rays, but a shady placement directly under a tree requires cutting roots when digging. That's why it's best to look for a spot that receives some shade from the house or from nearby trees. Make sure to locate the sandbox where you can keep an eye on the kids while they're playing.

When planning the size, consider any toys that'll go in the sandbox, and make room for your children's friends too. You should also take into account how much sand you'll need. The example we're using requires 32 cubic feet of sand (about sixty-four 50-pound bags). You can easily reduce the dimensions. The bracing and corner assembly construction will be the same regardless of the length and width.

What Kind of Wood?

We use cedar lumber in this sandbox design because it's durable and weather-resistant. However, there are other suitable wood products you can use for your DIY sandbox. If you plan on having your sandbox for only a few years, you can use materials like hardwood or softwood boards, which are less expensive but don't last as long as cedar. Treated lumber is also an affordable option; just check the product details to ensure it's safe for use around humans, pets, plants and vegetables.

To reduce the amount of sawing, our sandbox is designed to use pre-cut 8-foot cedar lumber. Cedar is waterproof, attractive and approved for ground contact. To get the depth we need (about 11 inches), you'll need to join the 1-inch-by-6-inch boards.

You'll need to know the volume of your sandbox before buying play sand. To calculate the volume, multiply the box's length by its width and then multiply that number by the box's height. For example, our box is 8-foot-by-8-foot-by-1-foot, so the volume is 64 cubic feet.

Usually called play sand, prepackaged, multipurpose sand is typically washed river sand, which is smooth and clean. A 50-pound bag takes up about 1/2 of a cubic foot. You don't need sand all the way to the top, so 64 bags will be enough to fill an 8-foot-by-8-foot sandbox about halfway for an ideal play space.

Covering the sandbox when it's not in use keeps the sand clean and dry. Plastic tarps make quick, inexpensive covers. Try putting a 5-gallon bucket upside down in the middle of the sandbox; the peak will allow water to drain off of the tarp and keep it from sagging.

Wood or plastic lattice is an alternative, or a metal screen, hardware cloth or chicken wire can be attached to a wooden frame. This cover keeps debris out but won't keep sand dry. Sheets of exterior-grade plywood can be cut to fit and laid on top of the frame. Attach the plywood to the frame with hinges if you prefer.