These days, it seems like kids spend less time playing outdoors, and more time playing on their iPads or tablets. If you don’t want your children to fall victim to this technology fallacy, there are plenty of tools at you fingertips, literally. Building a sandbox in the backyard is not only a fun family DIY project, but it also provides hours of outdoor playtime for your little ones.
There are many different styles of sandboxes that you can construct, some of which are more involved than others. It’s up to you how big and technical you want to get with this backyard project. No matter what route you choose, here are some tips to get you started:
- Designate a spot for the sandbox and mark it out for measurement purposes.
- Make sure the area you select is flat and even, which includes below grass level.
- Set a budget.
- Look for sandbox blueprints online to give you a guide to build off of, or just free hand it if you feel confident enough.
- Purchase your supplies.
- Build the sandbox frame by cutting your wooden boards to their desired length and then attaching them with nails or screws.
- A sandbox bottom is not vital, but it is a good idea to build one to ensure longevity. Make sure to drill holes in the bottom to allow for drainage.
- Construct benches in the corners for added support and to provide places to sit.
- Install a PVC pipe in one of the corners to allow a beach umbrella to stand freely and provide shade.
- Create a cover of some sort to protect from weather damage and even from stray cats who might mistake your sandbox for a litter box.
- Line the bottom of the sandbox with a tarp of some sort then fill’er up with sand.
- Paint it however you want. Have some fun with it!
Although building a sandbox is certainly a DIY project, you might rather have a professional construct for you. If your handy skills are not up to par then The Handyman Company will gladly build a sandbox for you, which means you can feel confident that it is a quality structure that will provide hours and hours of enjoyment for your kids.
