It is very difficult to meet a child who does not like to play in the sand. To give the child the opportunity to fully enjoy his favorite activity, caring parents install sandboxes in the countryside or simply in the courtyard of their home. You can easily find ready-made designs on sale, but you will have to pay quite a lot of money. The best option- this is to make a sandbox with your own hands. In this case, all the needs and desires of your child will certainly be taken into account, and the price will be several times lower.
What can you make a sandbox out of?
Wood has always been considered the most popular material for creating a children's sandbox with your own hands. Boards, logs, beams or block houses are well suited for these purposes. They are the main materials for the production of sandboxes. To make the final result pleasing with its appearance, it is better to choose sanded wood. It costs a little more, but the result of the work is worth it. If the construction budget is small, you can save money and sand the existing material yourself.
You can also use moisture-resistant plywood. But this type building material It is best used in extreme cases, since the presence of glue and formaldehyde in its composition does not have a very good effect on human health. But it is worth noting that plywood is the easiest to work with. It is easily cut with a jigsaw and assembled with a screwdriver. And after assembly, it’s enough to simply sand the ends of the structure and coat the sides with paint.
If you want to make a sandbox with your own hands at the dacha, you can use any available material. For example, empty plastic water bottles can be used. To make a strong wall from them, the lids are screwed in with self-tapping screws. wooden base, and then screw in the bottle. Also, using thick wire, additional strength is added to the walls of the sandbox. To do this, sharp wire is used to pierce the bottles through the top and bottom. The ends of the wire must be twisted well, and the dangerous ends are hidden.
The twist is located on one side only. When installing the side of the sandbox, try to make it inaccessible to the child. The finished structure for sand is mounted in a shallow ditch and well sprinkled with sand and soil, and then compacted very carefully. Plywood is laid at the bottom of the sandbox and then filled with sand.
Another very popular material for making a children's sandbox with your own hands is car tires. They are great for this kind of thing. To quickly make a place for playing with pitch, one sidewall of the tire is removed. The result is quite high sides. Then you can go in two ways:
- cover the hole with plywood and screw it to the second side;
- cut off the second part and get just a side.
Attention ! Regardless of the choice, the cuts must be secured. If the reinforcing fiber is plastic, then it is enough to simply sand it, but if it is made of metal, it must be covered with something.
The main stages of making a sandbox
In order to understand how to make a sandbox with your own hands, we will consider in detail the main stages of its construction. Regardless of the type of construction, all steps will be repeated.
Choosing a location
It is better to choose a site for placing the structure so that part of it is located in the sun and part in the shade. If this is not possible, then it is better to make a sandbox in the sun and make a good awning. It is important to ensure that tall trees and bushes do not grow near the place where children play. Plants, of course, provide shade, but, firstly, branches sometimes fall from trees, which can injure a child, and the constant supply of leaves in the fall adds work for adults.
Never make a sandbox in hot sun or in a place where there is no air movement. Avoid drafts. There is also another important factor that needs to be remembered. Place the sandbox in a place that is very clearly visible from the window of the house, so you can be sure of the child’s safety.
Making the markings
If the structure has a rectangular shape, then wooden pegs and threads stretched between them are used for marking. The stakes are driven in after measuring the required parameters. Traditionally, the size of handmade children's sandboxes is 2*2m. A rope, twine or metal cord is pulled between the stakes. Check the corners. They should be exactly 90°C.
If the design provides for rounded edges or sides, then sand will help to make the arc correctly. You need to pour it into a bag, make a small hole in it and draw the desired shape.
Digging a pit
To do this, we first remove top layer soil, and remove the soil. It is important to clear all roots, rocks and other debris. The pit for the children's sandbox should be made about 30 cm deep. In the middle of the dug rectangle or square, make a hole smaller in size, but deeper. Pour crushed stone into it. This is how a system for draining melt or rain water is set up.
Advice ! If you provide a slight slope from the edges of the sandbox, the sand will always be dry.
Mounting the base
We fill the bottom of the resulting pit with a small layer of sand, no more than 5 cm, after which we compact it well. Only after this can the base be laid. The best option for these purposes is geotextiles. It represents a special non-woven material, which is characterized by increased strength and wear resistance. It does not allow grass to grow, and will not allow the soil and sand to combine. If, during installation, the geotextile is wrapped over the edges of the pit, it will still hold the ground, preventing it from getting wet during heavy rain. In cases where geotextiles are not available, you can make a base from plywood or linoleum. Only then do you need to make several holes in the material so that water does not accumulate at the bottom of the sandbox.
Construction of a seasonal sandbox
The seasonal sandbox is a box with sides. The height of the box is approximately three boards (depending on their width). The frame is assembled by attaching the boards with screws to vertical bars, mounted at the corners of the sandbox perimeter. If the board is about 10 cm wide, then two fastening points are required, in the case when the board is 15 cm wide - 3 points. If the sidewall is made of ordinary edged boards length over 1.8 m, then another additional vertical element is attached in the middle of the side.
The corners of the sandbox must be additionally strengthened. For this corner posts mounted outside, and the boards, which represent the walls of the sandbox, are connected together into half a tree.
We mount the sides
The sides of the sandbox are a frame made of boards. It serves for additional rigidity of the box and can look like a seat or shelf for toys. In order for the sides to connect securely, they need to be cut at an angle of 45°C. It is very important to ensure that the angles coincide clearly.
Important ! The outer edge of the corner is very sharp and dangerous for grass. Children very often scratch themselves on it and get splinters. To avoid injury, it is better to make the corners semicircular; to do this, you need to cut them down, and sand all kinds of flaws and edges.
During installation, the sides are laid on the box and secured with corner and intermediate posts. Attaching the sides to the edge of the box board is not very reliable. The backing block will also not save the situation, because children love to hide toys under the side. Most best method fastening the sides of the sandbox - pieces of plinth with a cross-section of at least 4 cm. A cut of 30 cm long will be quite sufficient per meter of the side. Self-tapping screws are attached in those places in increments of about 10 cm. Also, if the supports are mounted under the outer edge of the side, then its fasteners must be made hidden.
We arrange the roof
Since the sandbox is located in the open air, it simply needs a roof. The traditional roof model is a mushroom. But everyone who has ever played in a sandbox understands that such a roof will cover few people. It is better to make a fungus separately, for quiet, relaxing games in the yard. But it is better to equip the sandbox with a different type of roof.
The best, simplest and reliable option roof - surface on four pillars. The only disadvantage of such a roof is that it is very dangerous for restless children.
An equally good roof option for a sandbox would be a surface on two pillars. They are attached to the sides of the box. If the roof is heavy or complex in design, the pillars are reinforced with struts.
It is better to make the roof of the sandbox soft or tension. The latter option is very profitable, as it minimizes the cost of materials. Remember, whatever you choose for the sandbox roof, the materials must be safe for life and health.
Advice ! If polycarbonate remains from the construction of a greenhouse, gazebo or porch, then it may be the best option for covering the roof.
How to fill the sandbox
What kind of sand is best for children to play with? White and small will definitely not work. Such sand does not mold well, generates dust, gets into your eyes and ears, and is also an allergen. Even adults, when working with such sand, wear masks and respirators to protect themselves.
White or gray quartz sand is also not suitable. It doesn't get dusty, but it doesn't stick either. But this sand injures the delicate skin of a child very quickly. The thing is that quartz is a very hard mineral and its particles cannot be polished to full roundness.
Red or gully sand. Of course, it molds well, but it’s not at all suitable for children. This sand contains a lot of clay, in which bacteria and microorganisms multiply very quickly.
Most best option for a children's sandbox - yellow sand of medium fraction. It is very suitable for good sculpting, and the special layer that envelops the grains of sand reliably protects the sand from the growth of bacteria.
If sand is reused up to 2-4 times, then it requires special handling:
- IN winter period You need to know how to store sand properly. The best way will be stored in bags, in dry unheated room. If sand is stored outside, it must be covered with film.
- As the weather warms up, the sandbox is filled with sand. If sand has been in it all winter, then it must be ventilated and sifted.
- The sandbox is filled in layers of 10 cm. Each layer of sand is dried in the sun for at least twenty-four hours.
Requirements for the playing area
After the sandbox is made, you need to pay special attention to its strength and safety. Therefore, it is very important to secure everything well and polish all the corners and roughness with a grinding machine.
After the sandbox is made, it is painted. On the one hand, the sandbox is painted bright colors It is very attractive to children, on the other hand, wood impregnated with paints significantly increases its service life.
You won’t be able to fully relax at the dacha with small children due to constant monitoring of the kids. These fidgets will not be in one place, so every now and then you will have to be distracted and keep order. How to attract children so that they all play with interest in one place? There is a way out of this situation - you need to install a sandbox with a lid. To create play area children and a comfortable rest for you, you can buy a ready-made sandbox design. However, this pleasure is not cheap, so it is quite possible to build the structure with your own hands. This process does not take much time and does not require any specific materials. Enough available tools, your basic plumbing skills and imagination.
Types of sandboxes. Advantages and Disadvantages
There are various types sandboxes, which are divided into:
| By material | By type of design |
| Wood | With a coverable lid to protect the sand from debris and rain. It is made in the form of a removable panel or door attached to metal hinges. |
| Plastic and plastic | With a lid that can transform into a bench. |
| Metal | There are sandboxes with a collapsible frame, which are beams with cuts of equal height and width. |
| Fabric or polyethylene that creates shade. These materials are fixed on racks and look like an umbrella or canopy. | |
| In the form of a house, where there is a play area with stairs, a slide and a climbing wall. In this case, the sandbox is located under it or next to it. |
Wooden structures are traditional and familiar from childhood. They are made from natural wood or from plywood.
Plastic and plastic structures are modern version sandboxes As a rule, they are purchased from finished form, since these materials are inconvenient for self-processing.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| High-quality and harmless plastic is used in the manufacture of these sandboxes. | Materials change their physical properties when exposed to direct sunlight and low temperatures. In the first case, plastic and plastic may be susceptible to melting, in the second - increased fragility. |
| It does not require constant maintenance and periodic painting. | Over time, the color of these materials will fade. |
| This material is not afraid of precipitation. | |
| Installation of this structure is not difficult. | |
| Plastic is a very light material, so it is easy to carry if necessary. | |
| Structures made from these materials have bright and rich colors. |
Metal structures are less common, as they have more disadvantages than advantages.
Gallery of options
The lid has turned into another seating area 
This sandbox will be comfortable not only for children, but also for their parents. 
Excellent location under the play area, protects from sun or rain 
Option with extra space for games 
This sandbox has a smooth surface and is lightweight 
The red canopy easily turned into a cover 
Thanks to the removable fragments, this sandbox can be given any shape. 
This design will decorate the yard 
The height of this sandbox is convenient for games
Preparation: drawings, dimensions, diagrams
Before you start creating a sandbox, you need to carefully design all construction stages. Even such a small design requires precise calculations. By spending a little time on this, you will create a reliable and, most importantly, safe building for children. The drawing and diagram you created will help speed up the process of assembling the sandbox.
The most popular shape of this design is the square. To ensure that the sandbox is not bulky, its length and width are made in the range from 150x150 cm to 300x300 cm. These parameters and the form of manufacture are optional. The size of the side should be sufficient to hold sand inside and at the same time convenient for children to play. Due to this optimal height sandboxes are 30 to 40 cm in size. If the structure is made of wood, then this value is equal to the thickness of two or three boards.
An important point will be right choice sandbox locations. There are several criteria that meet this goal:
- the sandbox must be located in a visible place so that the child is always in your field of vision;
- it should not be in direct sunlight; it is better to install it under the shade of trees or on the veranda;
- the sandbox should not be located in close proximity to outbuildings, as nails, chips, glass or other construction debris may get into the play area;
- There is no place for this structure near buildings where pets are kept - this increases the risk for the child of contracting infectious diseases;
- You cannot place a sandbox or any other play area under old trees.
Considering the advantages and disadvantages of the previously described materials for making a sandbox, you should focus on wooden structures. Wood is most suitable for these purposes. coniferous species, namely pine. This option is optimal when you compare its price and durability in use. It is not recommended to use spruce boards, as this material is prone to rotting. Can be built from wood that is resistant to unfavorable conditions, such as oak or larch. However, using these materials to build a sandbox is very expensive, but again, it depends on your wishes and means.
Please note that before any construction work, the material of which is wood, it must be processed antiseptics and antifungal impregnations. This must be done when using any type of wood.
Special attention it is necessary to pay attention to the quality of the sand. Many people think that this is not important, but its composition, the size of grains of sand and the presence of impurities can affect the health of the child. To understand what kind of filler is needed in the sandbox, it must meet the following requirements:
- River sand is suitable for these purposes, which should at least be sifted and have approximately the same grain size.
- If we look at this issue in more detail, the scatter of small sand particles should be no more than half a millimeter. The permissible diameter of one grain of sand will be from 1.4 to 1.8 mm.
- Sand must combine the qualities of lightness and sufficient mass. It should be small to hold its shape when sculpting, but not so weightless that it rises under the influence of the wind, getting into the child’s eyes.
- The material should be pleasant to the touch.
- When buying sand, you need to choose options that have the appropriate quality certificate. Thanks to this, you will be sure that the bulk material is safe for children and does not contain harmful impurities.
Calculation of materials (with examples)
Since the sandbox design has square shape, you need boards of the same size for each side. For the side of the frame on one side, two boards with a section of 150x30 mm and a length of 1500 mm are required. For the four sides of the sandbox you will need: 2·4=8 boards 1500x150x30 mm. This design will have two benches located opposite each other, which can be transformed into a lid.
For one seat you need:
- The lower part and the base for fastening are 2 boards measuring 175x30 mm, 1500 mm long;
- The back of the bench is 2 boards measuring 200x30, 1500 mm long;
- Limiters - 2 boards measuring 60x30 mm, 175 mm long;
- Supports for the back of the bench - 2 boards measuring 60x30 mm, 700 mm long.
- 2 metal door hinges.
Since there are two lids, the entire quantity must be doubled, therefore:
- 2·2=4 boards measuring 1500x175x30 mm (for the bottom and base for fastening);
- 2·2=4 bars - 1500x200x30 mm (for the back of the bench);
- 2·2=4 limiters - 175x60x30 mm;
- 2·2=4 stops - 700x60x30 mm;
- 2·2=4 metal door hinges.
The wooden elements of the sides of the sandbox will be secured using beams with a section of 50x50 mm and a length of 700 mm. For one side you need 3 of these elements, respectively for the entire sandbox: 3·4 = 12 bars measuring 700x50x50 mm.
The base of the sandbox requires a waterproofing coating. Thick polyethylene is suitable as such. To find out the required amount of this material, you need to calculate its area. To do this, you need to multiply the width of the sandbox by its length: 150 cm·150 cm=225 cm². Since you will need to make small sides from polyethylene, you need to add 10 cm to each side.
To fill a structure with these parameters with sand, about two tons are needed bulk material. Do exact calculation doesn't make sense since some people like a little sand and others will want their kids to build tall slides.
For processing joints wooden elements Sandboxes require a wood primer. The finished structure will need to be painted, so 1 can of oil or acrylic paint is enough.
Tools
To make a wooden sandbox with a lid you will need the following tools:
- Bayonet and shovel shovels.
- Hacksaw or jigsaw.
- Hammer.
- Screwdriver or screwdriver.
- Construction level.
- Sanding machine or sandpaper.
- Brushes and roller for painting.
- Chisel.
- Electric drill.
- Square.
- Set of wood drills.
- Bolts with nuts.
- Self-tapping screws.
- Construction tape.
- Wooden stakes and cord.
Step-by-step instructions for making a sandbox with a bench lid with your own hands
- First you need to make markings on the site. For accuracy, it is convenient to use wooden pegs and a cord. To do this, you need to drive pegs along the intended perimeter and pull the cord. To ensure that the corners are even, use a tape measure and a square.
- Then, using a shovel, remove the top layer of soil. The depth of the removed soil must be 30 cm. This small pit will ensure the stability of the sandbox structure. First of all, this is necessary in order to prevent the appearance of insects and rotting plants.
- Smooth its surface. Fill the pit with a mixture of sand and gravel to form a layer of 10 cm. Compact the inner surface of the pit. This layer will serve as a drainage layer, thanks to which water will not accumulate under the sandbox, but will be absorbed into the soil. To prevent water from accumulating around the sandbox after rain, you need to make a similar drainage layer around the perimeter of the structure. Make the width of the pillow from 40 to 50 cm.
- In the pit along its perimeter, dig 9 holes 40 cm deep, 10 to 15 cm in diameter. Cover the bottom of the holes with gravel and sand to create a layer 5 cm thick.
- Now you can move on to making the base of the sandbox. Place insulating material - polyethylene - at the bottom of the pit. Use a nail to make several holes in the coating. This is necessary so that moisture does not linger in the sand.
- Make a frame for the sandbox. To do this, it is necessary to make the sides of the structure from boards measuring 1500x150x30 mm. Each of the four sides of the sandbox looks like two boards of the specified size fixed on top of each other. There is no point in talking about methods of fastening wooden elements, since there are many of them. Only one rule should be taken into account - to fasten the sandbox parts, you must use only self-tapping screws, bolts, metal corners and plates. These fasteners are quite sufficient, since the sandbox frame will not be subjected to significant loads. As a connecting part, use beams with a section of 50x50 and a length of 70 cm, which fasten the sides together internal corners structure and in the middle of each side.
- For these elements use bolts and nuts. To prevent metal parts from protruding outward, it is necessary to make holes using wood drills with a diameter larger than the nut. The said supports, like all wooden parts, previously underwent the procedure of impregnation with antifungal mixtures and antiseptic agents. At this stage, it is necessary to cover them with liquid bitumen as an additional insulating material.
- The result should be a structure on nine supports.
- Next, you need to secure the boards that serve as the basis for the lid, which transforms into a bench. To do this, parallel to the upper edge of the side, with the wide side, attach a board measuring 1500x175x30 mm to the screws.
- Attach door hinges to the indicated boards with self-tapping screws. They must be installed 30 cm from the edge, as shown in the image.
- Then, attach another board measuring 1500x175x30 mm to the hinges. Do the same with the loops on the opposite side.
- Now you need to attach the boards that will serve as the back of the bench. To do this, you need to install wooden parts measuring 1500x200x30, securing them with self-tapping screws.
- Attach the limiters to the base of the seat using self-tapping screws.
- Attach beams with a cross section of 700x60x30 mm to the boards that serve as the backs of the benches. They will serve as stops.
- The design of a wooden sandbox with a transforming lid is ready. You can install it in prepared holes by compacting them or cementing them.
Final finishing and nuances of use
Starting finishing work, you should first of all get rid of burrs and sharp protruding fragments in the wood. For this it is convenient to use grinder with replaceable discs that have coatings of different grain sizes. If you don’t find such a machine, you can do it with regular sandpaper. Particular attention should be paid to the corners of the structure. When everything is external and internal surfaces sandboxes are sanded, it is necessary to treat the joints of the elements with a primer intended for wood. This must be done because over time, fragments of wood fibers on the edges of the boards can split, causing burrs to appear.
To further protect the wood from natural precipitation and give the sandbox a beautiful and finished look, you need to paint it. To make it look more creative, you can paint each board different colors or draw patterns on children's themes.
Oil and acrylic paints can be used to cover the sandbox. In the latter case, it is necessary to apply a couple of layers of varnish to the sandbox, which must be on water based. It contains much fewer chemicals, which is important for the health of our children.
When all surfaces have been treated and time has passed for them to absorb and dry, you can fill in the sand and delight the children with a new play area.
Video: How to make a wooden sandbox with a lid
By building a wooden sandbox with your own hands, you will give your children a little holiday. This design will not only decorate the yard, but will be a useful structure that will interest the kids at least for a while. Thanks to this building, you will not be distracted by looking after the children, and when they become adults, the sandbox can be turned into beautiful flower bed with flowers or a mini-garden.
It seems that the baby was recently born, but time flies very quickly, and he has already begun to walk. This means that the baby needs to develop and play with other children. It’s great if parents have a summer cottage. You can build a sandbox on it. A children's sandbox helps develop imagination and memory. And inadvertently, when the baby builds a sand castle, parents can see that the child has a talent for creativity. Many positive qualities in such a design. And it is easy to build. You can ask your husband about this, he will do everything with his own hands.
The first step in building such a structure is to select the area. And this should be taken with full responsibility.
Selecting a location
- The sandbox for children should be located in a visible area. Children must be under the supervision of their parents. Therefore, it will be better to build it closer to the house in order to keep an eye on the baby from the kitchen window.
- Sterility is the key to the baby’s health. The sand should not become clogged with foreign objects, such as leaves, bird droppings, branches, and so on. It is advisable not to build children's sandboxes near trees and bushes. And if a dry tree is nearby, construction is completely prohibited.
- The main thing is to hide the structure from the lunchtime heat. To avoid harming the child sun rays, you need to position it so that the sun hits in the morning and in the evening. At these moments it is the safest. But if the sun does not get into the sandbox at all, then in spring and autumn it will be very damp there. This means that the baby can get sick at any time.
Sizing and preparation for construction
The shape and size can be chosen at your discretion. But there are some standards for construction: for children from 2 to 5 years old, a sandbox of 1.7 by 1.7 meters is built. What do you need to prepare? Pegs, marking tape and string. With the help of all this you need to fence off the area where the construction will be.
Next, 30 cm of soil is removed, and a hole 65 cm deep and 45 cm in diameter is made in the center. Then it needs to be covered with crushed stone and compacted. Make a small slope towards the center of the sandbox so that during rains a puddle does not form. Before you get to work, you need to clean up leaves, debris, and anything that gets in the way. Then make the markings.
Construction stages
To construct a sandbox, you need to complete several simple steps.
What to base it on?
You can put it at the bottom of the sandbox plastic film, paving slabs and ordinary plywood sheets. You don’t have to lay the base, but then dirt will get into the sand. The advantage of the base is that it blocks the path for rodents into the sandbox.
What do you need for the sides?
Bars - 4 pcs., 5 by 5 x 45 cm. Boards - 4 pcs., 150? 30? 2.5, and boards for building horizontal sides, also 4 pcs. They will need to be sanded well. Then the boards are treated with drying oil. The bars are dug in at 18 cm, and boards are nailed to them. Next, seats for children are attached.
Do you need a lid?
The lid is not a mandatory design, but its presence is desirable. It will serve as protection from various debris and cats who love sand very much. Of course, you can cover the sandbox with a tarpaulin every evening, but it is better to construct a wooden one. You need to nail the boards together to make a shield and nail them vertically, with 4 posts at the corners.
Decor
At this stage there is a lot of scope for the imagination and creativity of parents. You can paint the building with bright colors, draw flowers or animals, rainbows, geometric figures, and so on. Everything that can please the kids.
So you get a beautiful children's sandbox with a lid for the garden.
Filler
All that remains is to buy filler for the sandbox. Sand can be purchased at the store or you can use sand from a regular river. The sand from the river will definitely need to be sifted. And if purchased, it is advisable that it contains additives that will repel various rodents. The sand must be clean, as it comes into direct contact with the child.
There are many different ways to build sandboxes. Let's look at a few of them below.
DIY classic sandbox
Everyone played in these sandboxes as children. Once made, it is in the form of a wooden box with benches. Making such a sandbox with your own hands will not be difficult. But don’t forget that it is being built for children. This means that the building must be safe so as not to harm the baby. The boards must be perfectly polished. This will be difficult to do using manual methods. You will need a grinder with attachments; it will quickly cope with the assigned work. What's the next plan?
Stages
It is necessary to prepare materials. Slice the right size boards. Sand thoroughly and carefully. It must be remembered that to build all sides, you will need at least two wide boards. You can choose any height.
The next stage of work is to fasten the sides. Shortened boards will be needed. They are attached vertically to long boards. Nails or self-tapping screws for fastening panels.
When the sides are made, they will need to be connected into a solid square. To do this, bars with one pointed end are screwed into the corners. Because the entire children's sandbox will be supported on these bars. The beams are driven deep into the ground.
The “attraction” for kids is ready. You can also add something like benches so that the children can take a break from creating art. The bench boards must be carefully sanded and varnished to prevent splinters.
Add-ons
But we don’t have to stop there. You can apply some drawings to make the sandbox bright and interesting for children. In addition, you can make a roof. It will serve as a protective shield from wandering animals that like to “play” in the sand. And it will help protect her from the rain.
Making a roof is not that difficult. You need to use the principle by which the side is built. Do not forget that it will be heavy, and the man himself will not be able to lift and install it. You'll have to ask someone for help. And if there is no one to ask, then the roof can be made of two parts. Moreover, make a handle and loops on each half. You can also install a lock that will save you from uninvited visitors when the owners are away.
Old stingrays
This is the easiest and quick way make a sandbox for children at the dacha. A ramp from a tractor or some other machine is placed in certain place, fill it with sand and you're done. You can also paint it. But this design is only suitable for small children. If wheels from passenger car, they can also be used as a sand fence.
Logs and stumps
This is also a simple option. Logs and stumps are dug into the ground while standing, and it turns out to be a mini-attraction. The kids will enjoy not only making sand castles, but also jumping on these steps and running between them.
Original form
This is an unusual classic, but a combination of children's desires with the capabilities of parents. You can make a truck with a body containing sand. A boat with a sail instead of a roof. A gazebo with benches and a table that will act as a sandbox. The choice of design is limited only by your capabilities and imagination.
18.07.2016It's the middle of summer. Tired of the heat and bustle of the city, we try to get out of the city more often, and on weekends we head to the dacha to have a good rest in nature. Many people plan to spend their entire vacation there. And if the family has small child, then this is one of the best vacation options, because doctors do not recommend sudden changes in climate and time zone for children under three or four years old. Therefore, many parents spend the whole summer at the dacha, enjoying the picturesque landscapes, silence and fresh air.
At the dacha you can organize a useful and enjoyable holiday for the whole family - the main thing is that everyone’s interests are taken into account. Therefore, when planning a recreation area, make sure that older family members can comfortably sit in a gazebo or sit on comfortable bench, read a book while lying in a hammock, and set the table in the fresh air. However, this is clearly not enough for kids - after all, they love to play most of all and they always need something to do. Therefore, little fidgets simply need a children's sandbox!
Experts have long agreed that playing with sand is not only interesting, but also useful. It develops creativity children, eye and fine motor skills, makes kids more patient and balanced, because it is not always possible to build a beautiful tower or sculpt the perfect Easter cake the first time. In addition, the sandbox can be called a real school of friendship, because it is here that children gain their first experience of interpersonal communication. Playing with sand has a beneficial effect on the baby, and sand heated by the sun has a healing effect and improves health.
In this article we will tell you how to make a children's sandbox yourself. And become a real decoration of your personal plot Aerosol paints from the Motip Dupli Group will help her - bright, durable and extremely easy to use. In a rich color palette aerosols, Crafts Spray, Trendy Specials and you can easily find not only popular shades, but also quite rare colors, as well as paints with various special effects.
Of course, you can buy a ready-made plastic sandbox in the store, but its size will most likely be small. IN standard sandbox It’s inconvenient for even one child to play - there’s simply nowhere for him to turn around. What if you need to call your mom, older brother or sister for help? And I would also like to invite friends to visit, because together it is much more fun and interesting to sculpt Easter cakes, build entire cities out of sand and pave a road through the entire sandbox.
It is also important that high-quality sandboxes are quite expensive, especially considering that you will only use it for a few months a year. Therefore, a DIY sandbox for children will help not only diversify your holiday, but also save your budget. In addition, an older child can be periodically involved in the creative process. He will be happy to help fulfill the most simple work, and then proudly tell everyone about what a beautiful sandbox you were able to build together. Well, in the eyes of your baby you will look like a real wizard!
The main thing to remember is that any place for children to play should be environmentally friendly and safe. And when choosing a form and appearance sandboxes, you can show all your architectural and artistic abilities and completely give free rein to your imagination. For example, you can complement the sandbox with various decorative elements.
Choosing the classics
The simplest and easiest option to implement is a rectangular or square open sandbox made of wood, which can be made in a few hours.
Where to place the sandbox?
Children should always be visible, so don't hide the sandbox in the corner summer cottage, behind bushes, tall grass or outbuildings. It should be clearly visible even from the window of the house. Try to find a place that will be in the shade during the midday heat, but do not place the sandbox near fruit trees - fallen fruits and bird droppings should not fall into the sand. If you can’t find a suitable flat area, you can make a sandbox with a roof for protection from the sun, install a mushroom umbrella there, or use a removable awning.
Preparing the surface
So that the poured sand does not mix with the ground, and the remains of grass do not interfere with your baby’s games, the surface on which the sandbox will be located must be carefully prepared. First you need to mark the boundaries of the planned sandbox and remove the top layer of soil inside.
Making the base and benches
In each corner you need to dig holes for racks 35–40 cm deep. Since the racks will be partially underground, they must be treated with an antiseptic solution and covered with bitumen.
The racks are buried in the ground, and the sidewalls are nailed to them. They can be made from one wide board or several narrow ones knocked into a shield. You can determine the height of the side yourself; usually it is about 30 cm.
Important: the boards must be carefully processed and sanded so that the child does not get hurt or get a splinter.
We nail horizontal boards at the corners. These sides can be used not only as benches, but also as stands for molds, and also as a “table” for making shortbread cakes.
Painting the sandbox
Of course, the sandbox needs to be painted - as your imagination dictates. This will completely transform the sandbox, and will also protect the wood and allow it to last for many years. Motip aerosol paints will help you with this - you can find cans of paint in all the colors of the rainbow, as well as the rarest and most unusual shades!
Apply a few thin layers from a distance of 20–30 cm, choosing paints of the child’s favorite colors. If desired, you can decorate the surface with various designs and patterns using a stencil. These can be not only flowers, animals or funny fairy-tale characters, but also numbers, letters, and various geometric shapes.
Finishing touch
Before pouring sand, we recommend laying paving slabs at the bottom of the future sandbox or pouring it cement mortar. For children's games in the sandbox, it is better to choose river sand - it is much cleaner and does not contain clay, but you can also use ordinary sand from a quarry. However, in any case, it must first be sifted.
Sandbox with lid
The sandbox can be equipped with a lid to close it at night or during rain, protecting the sand from getting wet and dirty.
The easiest way to do this is to use a regular shield, which can be easily put together from the remaining boards or plywood. But main drawback The problem here is that the baby will not be able to remove such a cover on his own. Therefore, if you have some experience, it is better to build a transforming cover with hinged door hinges. The child will be able to open and close it independently, and during games such a lid will turn into a bench.
Sandboxes made from scrap materials
A sandbox at the dacha can be built from the remains of wooden posts, old car tires, plastic bottles and many other unnecessary things by painting them with spray paints. And with a creative approach to business, it will not only serve as a place for children to play, but also act as a decorative element.
To find the right material, it is often enough just to go out onto the site and look around. And we invite you to look at photos that will inspire you to create your own unique sandbox! After all, it’s not difficult at all – you just need to show your imagination and stock up on Motip aerosol paints!
