- This great way manifestations of love and care for your baby, and also a source of pride and admiration. After all, what could be better for your beloved children than safe, environmentally friendly and simple beautiful place for relaxation and fun.
It is important to remember that games in the sandbox develop children’s creative abilities, fine motor skills hands, eye, patience, balance and even perseverance in achieving the goal - after all, sand is not the strongest building material. In addition, according to psychologists, sand has a positive effect on the human psyche, absorbing negative energy, calms and stabilizes the nervous system.
How to make a sandbox with your own hands: step-by-step instructions
Today, parents and children are offered large assortment sandboxes The most advanced of them are plastic made from linear polyethylene. They are very safe - no splinters, plus - rounded shapes significantly reduce the possibility of injury.
In addition, they are UV resistant, remaining bright and attractive, they do not need to be painted annually, as wooden, and easy to wash. When left in the sun, unlike metal ones, they practically do not heat up.
And in terms of durability, they are significantly superior to both wooden and metal samples. Thanks to its low weight and modular design they are quite mobile - they can be transported in a car, and brought into the barn. However, with all its advantages, a plastic sandbox is quite expensive, especially considering the “temporary” nature of the purchase.
This could be simply four high poles at the corners of the sandbox, on which the awning-canopy will be fixed, or a canopy-roof made of wood, covering the entire area of the sandbox. But a mushroom sandbox made with your own hands from timber (10x10 cm cross-section) and a “hat” of triangular pieces of plywood will look more decorative. Under it you can wait out the sudden rain and hide from the sun.
Little children love to play in the sand. To provide them with this opportunity, caring adults install sandboxes at home and in the country. Of course, there are ready-made ones for sale, but their price is not at all childish. The best way out is a sandbox made by yourself. When making it, you will certainly try to take into account all the characteristics and preferences of your child.
What can you make a sandbox out of?
The most popular material for building a children's sandbox is wood. It could be edged boards, small diameter logs, timber, block house. This is basically what they make from. To make the work go faster, you can buy polished materials. They are more expensive, but have a smooth surface. If you need to save money, take ordinary materials, then manually or using a grinder you will bring everything to perfect condition.
You can use plywood (moisture resistant) or OSB (OSB). Not everyone likes them, due to the presence of glue and harmful fumes (formaldehyde). But in air these emissions are not dangerous, and you can also use material with emission class E0 or E1. It guarantees safety - children's furniture is made from this material. It is convenient to work with plywood and OSB: you cut out the parts of the required shape, twist them together, process the ends and you can paint them.
At the dacha, you can use improvised material. For example, plastic bottles. Just so that they stick, they are attached to the board: the lids are nailed at a certain pitch, bottles are screwed into them. Having received one “sidewall”, take a piece of thick wire equal to twice the length of the sidewall + 20 cm, pierce the bottles with the wire, retreating about 5-7 cm from the bottom, turn the wire upward and pierce it in the opposite direction from above. The ends are twisted, trying to hide the “tails”.
This is how it will be necessary to “stitch” the bottles with wire
This twist is obtained only on one side - on the other there is simply a bent wire. When you install the sides, place them so that the “tails” are covered by the bottle. The finished sides of the sandbox made from bottles are installed in a shallow ditch, the board and the tapering bottom of the bottles are sprinkled with soil, and compacted well. You can throw a sheet of plywood at the bottom, and pour sand on top.
The second most popular “waste” material for country houses. They also make sandboxes. It is necessary to cut off the sidewall of the old tire on one side. You will get quite high sides. Then there are two ways:
In any case, the cuts will have to be secured. Some tires have plastic cord (reinforcing fiber), some have metal. The plastic one can be sanded, but the metal one will have to be covered somehow.
To make a sandbox, you can use fallen tree trunks cut into pieces. They make a very interesting and quite reliable fence. Before digging in, the wood needs to be treated so that it lasts longer. There are modern impregnations with a simultaneous tinting effect. Comfortable. The treated stumps need to be dried, and while they are drying, dig a ditch around the perimeter of the future sandbox. Its depth is at least 20-25 cm. There is no need to do less - the children will walk and jump on the stumps, so they should hold up well. Insert the logs into the ditch, level them, fill the gaps with soil and compact them well.
You can also make a fence for a traditional sandbox from logs. Place a base on the ground: a piece of linoleum, for example, with several holes in it to drain water after rain. Place logs on the base, making a rectangle/square out of them. They can be fastened with long nails, but more securely with studs - steel rods with threads at both ends. Under them, you will need to drill a hole diagonally at the junction of the logs. The diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the stud. Drill out the edges of the hole so that you can recess the nuts and washers. Insert a rod into the hole, put washers on both ends, and tighten everything with nuts.
You can make benches on top - one or two boards and benches for kids are ready. Of course, they rarely sit on them. More often they build their sand castles on them.
How to make a sandbox: step-by-step instructions
First, let's look at general principles manufacturing sandboxes of any design. With some modifications they are repeated every time.
Step one. Selecting a location . The location must be chosen so that part of the sandbox is in the shade, part in the sun. If this is not possible, set it to sunny place, and we make a canopy over it. Please make sure that there are no large trees or bushes nearby. They, of course, provide good shade, but leaves fall off them, and the sand will have to be sifted often.
Do not place the sandbox in strong sun, nor should it be in a corner where there is no air movement at all. But it also has no place in a draft. Another important point: if you plan to let your baby out to play in the yard on his own, the place for playing should be clearly visible from the window of the room where you spend most of the time.
Step two. Marking . If the sandbox is rectangular, use pegs and threads stretched between them. We drove the pegs, measuring the required dimensions ( standard size children's sandbox for children from 2 to 5 years old - 1.7 m * 1.7 m). Twine, rope, and cord were pulled between them. We checked the diagonals; for the angles to be right, they must be equal.
If the sandbox has rounded corners or sides, you can draw an arc using sand poured into a bag. A small hole is cut in the corner of the bag and the required shape is “drawn” in this way.
Step 3. We are digging a pit. We remove the sod and take it to the side, remove some soil, cleaning out the roots as we go, removing stones. The depth of the pit is 20-30 cm.
Let's start earthworks - digging a pit
In the middle of the sandbox, make a small square of greater depth: with a side of about 60 cm and a depth of another 30-40 cm (the total depth of this hole will be 60-70 cm). Pour crushed stone into the hole. This will be the “water drainage system”. If you form a small slope from the edges to it, the sand will dry quickly after rains.
Step 4. Laying the base.
Add a little sand (5-6 cm) to the bottom of the resulting pit, leveling it well. Now you need to lay the foundation. Most best option— . This non-woven material, very tear resistant. It will not allow grass to sprout and will not allow sand to mix with the soil. If you bring it to the edges of the pit, it will also “hold” the earth, preventing it from flowing inside when it rains.
If geotextiles are not found, you can lay a piece of plywood or linoleum. You just need to cut a few holes in them (1.5-2 cm in diameter) for water to drain.
DIY sandbox: step-by-step photo reports
No matter how simple the design may seem, when it comes to implementation, questions arise. To make there fewer of them, we publish several models homemade sandboxes With step by step photos, capturing the main nodes.
Simple design
The simplest thing you can do is knock down a rectangle or square from the boards. For a sandbox, the normal side of a square is 1.7 m. So you will need 4 or 8, 12 boards of this length. Make the sizes larger or smaller - the choice is yours. The number of rows of boards depends on their width and how tall you want it to be.
If, as described before, you dug a pit 25 cm deep, then poured in 5 cm of sand, you get a 20 cm deepening. If you want the sides to protrude 10 cm from the ground (for 2-year-old children this is convenient, for older ones it can be from 20 cm and above), the total height is 30 cm. If the board is 10 cm wide, you will need 3 tiers (boards, respectively 3 rows * 4 pcs = 12 pcs).
You will also need a block with a cross section of 40*40 mm. It will need to be cut into pieces equal to the height of the sides of the sandbox. In our case it is 30 cm. You will need 4 pieces. The total length of the required timber is 1.2 m. All lumber is sanded well, then impregnated with protective impregnations, otherwise the wood will quickly lose its appearance.
We take two boards and fold them at an angle of 90°. We place a block at the joint, nail both boards or screw in self-tapping screws - two for each fastening. We attach the next board to one of the ends, place the block and repeat the operation. This is how we assemble the first row. It will look like in the photo on the left.
The second and third rows are assembled in a similar way. For each connection we place two hardware (nails or self-tapping screws). Just make sure that the heads do not protrude and the points do not stick out.
After the required height has been collected, we can consider that the sandbox is made with our own hands. But, as always, now I want to add something to make it more convenient for the children. They usually like to make Easter cakes, and they need a platform for them. You can nail small triangles made of plywood or also assembled from cut boards in the corners. Another option is to nail two longitudinal boards. They fit perfectly on the bars in the corners. We hammer nails into them.
Adding comfort
Continuing the theme of “improving” sandboxes. Carrying toys home that are stained with sand every time is not very pleasant. The problem can be solved simply: fence off the part for toys. Convenient for both you and the child. An additional wall is installed, which is also attached to the existing ones using bars.
Separate the compartment for toys - put an additional wall
And to avoid the temptation to pour sand in there, you can come up with a lid. You can sit on it, or you can build Easter cakes.
A couple of boards, a little imagination and an ordinary box turns into a car. The boys will definitely like this one.
Transformable sandbox with folding lid
Construction begins in exactly the same way as described earlier: a box of boards is assembled. The trick is in the design of the lid. You will also need boards for the lid and hinges - four regular door ones and four with one long shelf.
In our example, there were 6 boards on each side of the lid. They were attached in pairs. First, two boards were nailed to the finished box on one side and the other.
A short shelf of a loop, similar to a barn one, was screwed to them. Two boards were also attached to the long shelf. It is important that the second one is attached at least half the width, otherwise it can be twisted.
Screw onto regular ones door hinges next board. The shelves are on the other side. Then it turns out that the second part of the lid tilts in the other direction. The second board is attached to the fixed one using an auxiliary block. It is stuffed on both sides at a distance of about 15 cm from the edge.
To prevent the folded lid from pressing on the hinges, an additional piece of board is stuffed onto the first two boards. It serves as a support; when loaded, the board does not bend.
Based on operating experience, we can say that children almost never play under the seats: it’s uncomfortable. To use this area more efficiently, it can be fenced off as a compartment for toys. Another advantage of this solution is that less sand will be required.
IN in this example The docks are painted with an impregnation, which at the same time gives color to the wood. If desired, you can use regular opaque paint. Only take it for wood, for outdoor use. Otherwise, after a couple of rains, it will bubble or crack. Using paint, you can paint the sandbox in more “girlish” colors, although impregnations can also be different colors, but they just give a tint.
Sandbox-boat
For boys you can make a sandbox-boat or ship. The main “body” is built as usual, all other superstructures are attached to it.
In this version, it was decided to make the sandbox low. A triangle was attached to the downed hull - the bow of the future ship. It is significantly higher than the main part. To ensure that the boards hold tightly, two boards are driven into the ground 60 cm deep on each side. The boards were nailed to them. In the corners they are also fastened, but only to each other - with nails (they were hit diagonally).
Since the height difference turned out to be significant, a staircase was made from the “deck” to the bow. The top is covered with boards and the masts are reinforced.
There are only finishing work and equipment. After some time, it was decided to build an extension at the stern - a place to hide from the sun, and put a toy box there. They installed poles made of timber and covered them with plywood cut to size. In the final version the ship looked like this.
Another boat was built using approximately the same technology.
Awnings
It is not always possible to place a sandbox in partial shade. More often they place it in the sun, and then provide shading - some kind of canopy or umbrella. There are many interesting designs of such canopies that are quick and easy to make.
Perhaps the easiest to implement is this canopy: two posts are attached in the middle, with a crossbar between them. A thick tan is thrown over the crossbar and attached to the driven loops.
This canopy isn't much more complicated. Four racks are required. They are connected at the top by strips - they make the top trim. The awning is sewn to size and stretched. You can fasten it either with buttons or with decorative nails. The main thing is to have the opportunity to remove it in the fall.
Making such a roof is a little more difficult. Triangles are attached to the upper trim of the racks - rafter system. They are connected at the top by a longitudinal beam, which is correctly called a “ridge,” and supports are placed in the middle. Under soft tiles, which is used in this case, plywood or OSB is nailed, and roofing material is already laid on top.
Pay attention also to the decor of the sandbox itself: birch logs are driven/dug in around the perimeter, which are covered from the inside with boards: so that the peeling bark does not fall into the sand. Quite an interesting solution.
Another simple sun shade for the sandbox. The two triangles are connected by thin strips. They are attached to the racks, but it is advisable to make the racks more solid. For small children, this section is enough, but for older children - from 4 years old - something more solid is required - at least 60 * 60 cm. To save money, you can sew two boards - nail them on both sides. Pulling the awning will not be difficult.
How to make a sandbox with a “fungus” with a small wooden canopy - watch the video
Lids
The second attribute necessary for sandboxes is lids. Not only do leaves fall into the sand and all sorts of garbage gets into the sand, but animals also love to be there...being there. You can prevent attacks on the purity of the sand by using a lid. In the very simple version This is a shield knocked out of boards or cut out of plywood, to which handles are attached.
Cover made of boards
To avoid having to remove and install the panels every time, you can attach hinges, and to prevent the doors from hanging, weld handles on which they can rest. When the lid is folded back, you get two small playgrounds. Children can sit on them or build their own sand castles. Therefore, it is more convenient to make such covers from plywood: there are no cracks and they are lighter in weight.
There are even more interesting design— away. This type of cover is definitely made from plywood. Nailed top bar so that there is a gap left. A sheet of plywood is inserted into it. And so that the opposite end does not dangle, legs are nailed - small pieces of timber.
The same principle is implemented differently in the version in the photo below. It is already for those who are good at carpentry.
Drawings
To build a sandbox with your own hands quickly and easily, all that remains is to provide you with a few drawings. You can build on them and take them as a basis. Adjustments can and should be made.
Sandbox with roof - photo and drawing
Summer has come, the children have grown up and the question arose about building or buying a children's sandbox. A market analysis of children's sandboxes was quickly carried out. As a result, the following picture emerged: there are either plastic or wooden children's sandboxes.
For a more or less reasonable price, you can purchase a sandbox that is somewhat reminiscent of a plastic basin. The remaining models, for which there was at least some desire to purchase, were very “surprised” by the cost. Ultimately, the opinion was formed that to purchase at affordable price something normal will not work out. And it was decided to make a sandbox with our own hands, and a wooden one at that.
How to make a sandbox. Problems and questions
Since I had never made children’s sandboxes before, a number of questions and additional requirements arose at the project development stage. I will list the main ones.
- What size should a children's sandbox be?
- How tall should a children's sandbox be?
- What thickness of boards is needed to build a sandbox?
- Do you need a sandbox lid?
- If necessary, what should it be?
- How to organize a place where you can “bake Easter cakes” (table, bench, etc.)?
- Where to install the sandbox?
- How to sift sand? And is it necessary to sift it at all?
- How many boards are needed? And which ones?
Having scoured the Internet, I didn’t find any answers, mostly vague recommendations on the topic of how to make a sandbox with your own hands. Naturally, this did not satisfy me and I had to invent something. Unfortunately, I never made any drawings, but I will try to briefly describe my train of thought and the answers to the questions posed above.
Children's sandbox dimensions
Having slightly compared the size of the child, the prospects for his growth and the appearance of company (including a brother or sister) in the future, I came to the conclusion that a sufficient size and shape of a children's sandbox is a square of approximately 1 m to 1.5 m. This size, on the one hand, will allow 2-3 children to be directly in the sandbox at the same time, on the other hand, it can be installed anywhere without any problems.
Then I began to think about leaving as few scraps of boards as possible during construction. Not far from the dacha there is a base of sawn materials and the standard size of their boards is 0.12x6 m. The solution came naturally, the dimensions of the children's sandbox should be 1.2x1.2 m. Let me explain, from a board 6 meters long, 5 boards of 1.2 meters each are obtained, i.e. half the sandbox and no scraps.
Sandbox height
And so we decided on the size of the children's sandbox, now the height. What height should a children's sandbox have?
- The height should be sufficient so that so much sand can fit in the sandbox that the child cannot reach the ground.
- The child should easily climb in and out without the help of adults.
Based on these two criteria, it was decided that the height of the sandbox should be no more than two boards, i.e. 24 cm. Such a sandbox is suitable for both a one and a half year old and a three year old child. Moreover, the sand (in depth) in a children's sandbox should be about 10-12 cm, that is, about half the sandbox.
Thickness of boards for children's sandbox
The thickness of the side walls was chosen to be 32 mm. For two reasons. Firstly, boards of the specified thickness will provide sufficient strength and rigidity. Secondly, the likelihood of cracking of the boards when assembling the sandbox is significantly reduced, i.e. more convenient installation.
Sandbox cover
Do you need a sandbox lid? I thought for a long time and decided that it was still needed. It is necessary for two reasons. Firstly, the sand in a closed sandbox will remain dry, which is important for the child’s health. Secondly, the lid on the sandbox will protect against the entry of any foreign objects: leaves, apples falling from a tree, and of course from birds, cats and cats. I think it's clear what I meant about cats.
But making a cover for the sandbox in the form of a lid - I didn’t like this idea. This cover will be lying around all the time, you will have to take it off and put it on, in general, it will be inconvenient. After looking at pictures on the Internet, I found several options for making a sandbox with a lid.
- The lid transforms into a shelf on which you can build Easter cakes.
- The lid transforms into a bench on which you can not only build Easter cakes, but also sit.
I really liked the idea, and it was decided to build a children's sandbox with a lid that transforms into a bench. And you can sit (not only for a child) and the surface for “baking” Easter cakes is good.
I decided to make the lid for the sandbox from a 20 mm board. So it will turn out to be quite strong on one side, and light on the other.
Children's sandboxes for the dacha - photo
Do you dream of returning to childhood at least for a moment? It's not at all difficult to do this. Just create sandbox with lid, and then build castles or make sand cakes with your child.
In this article we will tell you about such an important part of the sandbox as the lid and offer several options for it manufacturing.
In addition, the article contains useful tips By correct placement sandboxes on the site, selection of quality sand and construction sequence.
Types of children's sandboxes
Let's try to consider the main types of children's sandboxes. They may differ in material for manufacture, design, design.
The most common ones not so long ago were wooden sandboxes, but today manufacturers also offer plastic, which delight the eye with a rainbow of bright colors and all kinds of shapes.
But if you still decide to create a sandbox with your own hands, the list of materials can expand significantly, since both improvised means. After all, a sandbox can be made from old tires, used plastic bottles, pallets.
The simplest design of the structure can be supplemented benches, sun umbrella, cover and other accessories. And you can design the sandbox in accordance with your own imagination and level of skill.
Sandbox in the form boat, turtle, ladybug or stylized truck with sand Kids will definitely like it.
Selecting a location
First of all, you should look for the most suitable sandbox suitable place according to some requirements:
- A place for children to play is a must should be visible, because you will have to constantly look after the child. Therefore, you should not hide the sandbox in a secluded corner behind overgrown bushes;
- Give up places windswept. There is absolutely no need for grains of sand to get into the baby’s eyes under gusts of wind. in the wind to a small child it’s easy to catch a cold, so you shouldn’t risk his health;
- Find a place on the site where one edge of the sandbox will be in the shade and the other in the sun. Most likely, it is better to install it near a large tree with a spreading crown. If such a place cannot be found, the problem of creating a shadow can be solved either with the help or by installing a “mushroom” type umbrella.
Materials and tools
When starting to purchase everything you need, still ask your child’s opinion regarding sizes future building.
What if a small builder plans to create sculptural compositions or a castle with towers, a moat and fortress walls? In this case you will need big sandbox.
To create a standard wooden sandbox you will need the following:
- 4 wooden bars about 50 cm long;
- dense polyethylene or plywood sheet for the base;
- boards for making frames and benches;
- material for making covers.
Important tip! When choosing wood as a material for a sandbox, take care of the antiseptic with which the boards are impregnated. This can be a primer or alkyd impregnation, which will preserve wooden surfaces on for a long time from rot, fungus and pests.
Once you have stocked up on everything you need, you can begin making a sandbox.
Preparation and marking of the site
Standard sandbox for babies has the shape of a square with a side 1.7 m. But that doesn't mean you have to follow those standards.
So, using pegs, a tape measure and string, mark the perimeter of the area of the required size and shape. This is done as follows:
- We drive in 2 pegs at a distance 1.7 m from each other (we measure the required distance using a tape measure);
- From the first two pegs at an angle of 90° we again set them aside 1.7 m and drive in the third and fourth pegs;
- To make sure that the corners of the future sandbox are planned correctly, we check the length both diagonals(the length of the diagonals of the square must be the same);
- If diagonals are not equal, move one of the sides (both pegs at the same time) until the length of the diagonals coincides, while maintaining right angles.
Only now we stretch the cord, marking the perimeter of the base.
Preparing the base
It is important to consider some kind of drainage so that the water in the sandbox and next to it didn't stagnate:
- Removing the soil layer to depth 30–40 cm inside the marked area;
- We dig a hole in the center to the depth about 60 cm. To allow water to be absorbed into the soil after rains, we make a slight slope towards the center of the sandbox. To do this, we simply remove a little more soil: a little from the edges of the sandbox and more from the center;
- Then the hole needs to be filled with small gravel or pebbles, a layer at 20 cm.
It turned out simple drainage well, but thanks to it, even after heavy and prolonged rainfall, the water will quickly go away and the sand will not be damp.
If you give up the foundation, then after a while the sand will mix with the ground and there will be insects in it, which is completely useless.
To prepare the base for the sandbox, pour it onto a layer of crushed stone or pebbles. The layer thickness should be approximately 5 cm. We lay plywood or thick plastic film on this “pillow”.
Frame making
The manufacturing process for a sandbox includes the following steps:
- In the corners of the future sandbox, in places marked with pegs, we dig in the prepared bars to a depth 20 cm;
- The surface of each board for the sides of the sandbox and future benches is of high quality polish, otherwise the baby risks getting more than one splinter;
- Using self-tapping screws, we attach the sides from 2-3 boards. The height of the sides should be approximately 30-35 cm;
- All that remains is to lay it and strengthen it with self-tapping screws 4 horizontal benches along the perimeter of the sides.
Recommendation! The frame and benches should under no circumstances be fastened with nails. Over time, the structure can become loose, so the fastenings must be as reliable as possible. It is better to use self-tapping screws for this purpose - easy to use and reliable fasteners.
Cover selection
Without covers The sandbox is indispensable. It will protect the sand from debris, leaves and twigs getting into it, and will also prevent pets and stray animals from getting into the habit of doing their toilet chores in it.
There are several options for making the lid:
Sandbox finishing
We decorate the finished building to your liking. Coloring the sandbox bright colors and draw funny pictures.
If your artistic abilities are questionable, that's okay. There are all kinds stencils for printing designs, with their help decorating the sides will not be difficult.
It remains to install bright beach umbrella for protection from the hot sun. If the sandbox has a “mushroom” canopy, it can be decorated by painting it like a fly agaric. In general, do not limit your imagination to any boundaries. Then your sandbox will look bright, unusual and original.
Sand selection, preparation and backfilling
Left fill out sandbox. But even here there are possible subtleties.
It turns out that the purest sand is river sand, but even before filling it will have to be sifted through a special construction sieve.
This procedure will help get rid of pebbles, pieces of shells and dangerous glass shards. You can buy it in stores washed or quartz sand. Sometimes you can find sand with special additives to repel animals.
And be sure to check out when purchasing quality certificate, which must indicate that this sand is suitable for use on playgrounds. This way you will show concern not only for the children’s leisure time, but also for their safety.
Where to buy a ready-made sandbox
Plastic, wooden and metal sandboxes with and without lids, as well as other equipment and accessories can be purchased via the Internet and in specialized shopping centers.
Prices for products shown vary from 1500 rubles for the smallest and simplest plastic sandboxes and above.
The cost of sand in construction supermarkets and online stores directly depends on its quality. The starting price of river sand is 950 rubles for 1 ton and above.
You can watch how to make a sandbox with fungus with your own hands in this video.
A sandbox equipped with a fungus is an integral attribute of a child’s carefree childhood. In urban areas, management companies should take care of a well-maintained playground for children. But when sending your beloved child to the village to visit his grandmother, or planning a joint vacation at the dacha, you should take the initiative and make a comfortable sandbox with your own hands.
Planning stage
Sandbox games are not only an interesting pastime. They contribute to the development creative thinking, improve fine motor skills, develop balance. Therefore, it is important to make the design of a sandbox for a baby as practical as possible, taking care of safety and convenience.
The easiest option is to make a square or rectangular wooden sandbox, which will take several hours to make. But it will be possible to stay in it only in the absence of scorching sun, so it is better to immediately provide protection. Making a canopy or mushroom is quite simple, but the installation additional element Sandboxes allow you to solve several problems at the same time.
An important aspect is the location of the structure: it must be visible from many areas, including the house. Second prerequisite- there are no trees nearby that can pollute the sand with fallen leaves, and caterpillars will not bring much joy to the child.
Manufacturing process
Basically, a sandbox with a fungus is installed for several years, so it’s better to do all the work thoroughly so that you don’t have to fix the defects next year.
Site preparation
The site preparation process includes the following steps:
- The perimeter of the future sandbox with a fungus or canopy is marked, after which the soil is removed to a depth of 25-30 cm.
- Take care of drainage in the form of a cushion of coarse crushed stone with the addition of sand. A well-compacted layer of material will ensure rapid absorption of moisture into the soil, facilitating accelerated drying of the sand after precipitation.
- It is recommended to make a base for a sandbox with fungus. It can serve as various materials: dense polyethylene, plywood or paving slabs. The first two options for a sandbox are not very successful - the film practically does not allow moisture to pass through, and the plywood quickly deteriorates. They are used when there is an urgent need to save costs. In any case, holes should be made for drainage. It is optimal to make the base for a sandbox with fungus from geotextile, which ensures the unhindered passage of moisture.
Note! The last stage can be abandoned, but the basis wooden structure with fungus prevents premature contamination of sand as a result of mixing with soil. Second important function- a kind of barrier against the penetration of insects or rodents.
Box formation
The box is a key detail of any sandbox design, regardless of whether it will be equipped with a canopy in the future or not. The most common solution is to make a square or rectangular shape. Typical projects suggest stopping at square size structures with sides of 2.5-3.0 m. Taking care of environmental safety, it is better to make a sandbox from pine boards 2.5-3.0 cm thick. Creative parents can make an imitation of a boat or make a round structure. Installation of a standard box model consists of the following steps:
- Bars are installed in the corners. Optimal size wooden products- 45/5/5 cm. Approximately a third of the timber (about 15 cm) will be in the ground, so in addition to treatment with an antiseptic agent, it is necessary to coat it with bitumen. The dried timbers are hammered into the marked corners.
- Next, in the future sandbox with fungus, you need to make the sides. To form them, several narrow boards are selected, connected into a shield, or one wide one is fixed. The quantity is not important average height The side of the sandbox with fungus is 30 cm.
- After attaching the sidewalls, we move on to equipping the seats. This is easy to do - just nail it horizontally to the sides of the board. Usually they are installed around the entire perimeter of the sandbox in the amount of four pieces; if there is a lack of material, two benches can be made. In the future, they will serve as convenient stands for displaying shortbread cakes.
Important ! All wooden elements sandboxes with fungus need careful sanding. The absence of knots, splinters and nicks will prevent unnecessary abrasions and scratches for the child. To prevent your child from getting injured on the corner of the sandbox, it is advisable to make it round in shape.
Construction of a canopy
Having finished working on the box, move on to the second important element structures - canopy. It can be made in various shapes, but most often they settle on the fungus version. In addition to its decorative role, it copes well with protective function, be it the scorching rays of the sun or a light summer rain. Interesting solution will arrange a small table around the fungus, serving extra space for storing toys in the sandbox. The sequence of actions is as follows:
- Prepare a hole to support the fungus. The stability of the sandbox canopy can be ensured by deepening the stem of the fungus into the soil by at least 1 m.
- It is recommended to make the leg of the fungus from a beam with a cross-section of 10x10 cm. As in the case of the beams for the sidewalls, the wood of the fungus needs to be processed antiseptics, preventing damage by rot or insects.
- To make a mushroom cap, you need to form triangles from the boards. Inner side parts are fixed to a support; it is advisable to sheathe the outer part with plywood or thin board. The material is fixed with nails, and the next part is nailed in such a way as to hide the heads of the nails on the previous fungus board.
- For high-quality protection, the size of the fungal cap must correspond to the parameters of the sandbox.
- After connecting the cap and stem, the fungus can be installed in the prepared hole. The structure can be fixed by wedging the stem of the fungus with stones and filling it with loam.
- If you want to make a more durable mount for the fungus in the sandbox, a crushed stone cushion is prepared at the bottom of the pit. The fungal stem is installed at a depth of 0.7 m and filled with cement mortar.
Note! If you plan to concrete the foot of the fungus, then it is better to do this before installing the sandbox box.
After connecting and installing all the elements, you can proceed to designing the sandbox. Which decorative decoration what to do depends entirely on creativity parents, the main thing is that finishing material it was safe, and the kids liked the idea of designing a sandbox.
To fill a wooden sandbox it is usually used river sand, it is well polished with water and practically does not contain foreign impurities. Any sand, river or purchased in shopping center, requires preliminary sifting. Now you can find a special mixture for the sandbox containing clay and specific fragrances. This filler is ideal for sculpting figures, while repelling insects from the sandbox.
You can additionally protect the place for games by putting a lid on the sandbox. This improvement simultaneously solves several problems:
- Fully or partially protect sand from rain and reduce its washout.
- Prevents debris from entering in windy conditions.
- Will create a barrier to unwanted visits from cats and dogs.
The easiest way to make a removable shelter for a sandbox is from tarpaulin. Even a child can cope with it. Looks more attractive wooden cover. Which option you choose depends on your abilities and the availability of material.
Photo gallery of interesting ideas
There are many on the market interesting ideas for sandboxes. Some models are made of plastic, which does not fade in the sun and does not emit harmful substances. Original forms Curious kids will love it.
The design of the transformable sandbox is distinguished by its practicality, where the lid is transformed into comfortable benches for children. If you have the desire and skills, you can do this option yourself.
The round, lockable sandbox looks original, where each child can sit in a separate compartment.
