DIY metal sandbox for kindergarten. Installation of a cover that transforms into seats. Tools and materials

- This is a great way to show love and care for your baby, and is 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, eye, patience, balance and even perseverance in achieving goals - 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, calming and stabilizing. nervous system.

How to make a sandbox with your own hands: step-by-step instructions

Today, parents and children are offered a wide range of sandboxes. The most advanced of them are plastic made from linear polyethylene. They are very safe - no splinters, plus - the 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 their light weight and modular design, they are quite mobile - they can be transported in a car, and brought into the car for the winter. 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 an awning canopy will be attached, 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.

The cost of building a sandbox is minimal, and children will enjoy it immensely. Of course, you can buy a ready-made structure and simply fill it with sand, but a sandbox made by yourself is much more interesting and convenient.

Before you start building a sandbox, you need to find the most suitable place for it, because the comfort and safety of the baby depends on this. There are several rules for sandbox placement:

To protect from the sun, you can place a sandbox under a small strong tree or build one. But you shouldn’t do this under old trees: at any time a heavy branch can fall from a tree onto a child.

Sandbox construction

If a place for the sandbox has been chosen, you can begin the main process. First you need to calculate the dimensions of the structure, choose a shape, and properly prepare the base. The size of the sandbox depends on the age and number of children who will play in it. For three children aged 1-3 years, an area of 1.5x1.5 m is sufficient; for older children, it is recommended to make sandboxes 2x2 m, and standard designs have dimensions of 1.7x1.7 m.

Most often, the sandbox has a rectangular or square shape, but sometimes round and hexagonal designs are found. Here a lot depends on the imagination of the master and his skills; if your experience in such matters is minimal, it is better to stick to the standard square shape. As building material wood is used, namely pine boards.

Additionally you will need:

shovel;
roulette;
pegs and rope;
geotextiles;
sand;
tamping;
timber 50x50 mm;
hacksaw;
antiseptic impregnation;
liquid bitumen;
sander

Step 1. Site preparation

The selected area is cleared of stones, branches, weeds, and the surface is leveled. If the dimensions of the sandbox are 1.5x1.5 m, then the cleaned area should be 10-15 cm larger on each side - this is necessary for more accurate marking.

Step 2. Marking

Now you will need 4 pegs, a tape measure and a long rope. Visually determine the location of one of the corners of the structure, drive in a peg, draw two perpendicular lines from it, and mark the location of the last corner. A rope is pulled between the pegs and the length of the diagonals inside the markings is checked. They must be absolutely the same.

Step 3. Preparing the base

Inside the fence, a layer of soil is selected to a depth of at least 20-25 cm. The walls of the pit must be leveled so that they are strictly vertical. When all the soil has been removed, the bottom is trimmed and compacted. Sprinkle sifted fine sand on top in a 5 cm layer and compact it well.

Step 4. Making the frame

The timber is sawn into pieces 45 cm long, the lower ends are sharpened, ground, treated with impregnation and coated halfway with liquid bitumen. Now you need to install them at the corners of the perimeter and bury them 15 cm into the soil. The next stage is attaching the boards: they are knocked down in pairs and screwed to the bars with self-tapping screws. You can do it another way: first, completely assemble the frame, and then install it above the pit.

The boards can be narrow or wide, the main thing is that the width of the walls is at least 30 cm. Be sure to treat the surface of each board with a sanding attachment on both sides, then soak and dry. After this, the boards are knocked down into a square box and reinforced at the corners with bars, which on one side should protrude beyond the perimeter of the box by 15 cm.

Step 5. Installation of sides

For the convenience of the child, small sides need to be made around the perimeter of the frame. To do this, take 4 boards 20cm wide, sand them very well, coat them with an antiseptic and cut the edges at an angle of 45 degrees. Lay the boards on top of the walls, align and align the joints, and screw tightly with self-tapping screws. The heads of the screws should be well sunk into the wood so that the child does not get hurt. Sometimes instead of sides they make corner benches: take a board of short length, process it well, lay it on two adjacent walls, stepping back a few centimeters from the corner. After this, the board is nailed on both sides, and the edges protruding beyond the perimeter are cut off.

Step 6. Finishing the structure

Now the sandbox needs to be painted correctly. To do this, choose paints of 2-4 colors, always bright and contrasting. The sides or benches can be not just painted, but painted with ornaments, images of animals, flowers. As soon as the paint has dried, the structure is filled with sand.

Making a lid for a sandbox

An open sandbox gets clogged very quickly, so you have to periodically sift the sand or change it altogether. To avoid such problems, it is recommended to install a wooden cover. It’s not difficult to make, but the result will be not only good protection from garbage, but also comfortable benches. It is best to install the cover before installing the frame in a permanent place.

To work you will need:

pine boards 25 mm thick;
jigsaw;
long loops;
bolts with nuts;
self-tapping screws;
timber with a section of 30x50 mm;
primer;
dye;
drill.

Step 1. Preparing the material

The boards are cut to the width of the sandbox, and all surfaces and edges are treated with a sanding attachment. After this, it is primed, dried and covered with two layers of paint. The hinges also need to be painted, otherwise traces of corrosion will appear after the first rain.

Step 2: Assembling the first half of the cover

Assembly of the first half

On one side, two boards are screwed onto the sandbox frame with self-tapping screws. Two more boards are connected with bars and attached with hinges to the first ones. In this case, the bars should be at the bottom, and the hinges should be on top of the lid. They take two more boards and connect them with bars, the length of which exceeds the width of the shield. That is, on one side the bars protrude beyond the edge of the board by a third. This shield is also connected to the previous one using loops, only this time the loops should be at the bottom and the bars at the top. The hinges are screwed to the wood using bolts, since the screws quickly become loose.

Step 3. Assembling the second half

This half can be made without a back, which makes the process a little easier. On the free side of the frame, not 2, but 3 boards are stuffed, then a shield of two boards is knocked down and secured with loops, as in the previous case. To prevent the lid from bending under the weight of children, it is strengthened in the middle with a block. Now, when opened, the first half folds into a comfortable bench with a backrest, and the second simply reclines to half its width.

Frame installation

For installation, you will need an assistant: the structure is lifted, turned over with the protruding bars down and carefully lowered into the pit. The edges of the frame must coincide with the edges of the pit. To ensure that the sandbox stands level, you should check the location of the walls with a building level. If necessary, remove excess soil or add more, leveling the frame horizontally. After this, cover the bottom of the future sandbox so that its edges extend 3-5 cm onto the walls on each side. Dense material will protect the sand from erosion, will not allow moisture to accumulate, and will not allow insects and moles to crawl through from underneath. Finally, the soil is compacted from the outside and backfilled with gravel or sand.

The layer of sand for playing should be about 15 cm thick; To fill a standard sandbox you will need about a ton of it. It is recommended to choose river sand or quartz sand, which does not caking. Before filling, it must be sifted through a fine sieve to remove debris, plant impurities, and insects.

Canopy installation

Canopies for sandboxes can have a variety of shapes and are made from different materials. The most common option is fungus. To make it, you will need a beam 3 m long and a cross-section of 100x100 mm, boards and plywood. This fungus is installed at the stage of preparing the base, since it needs to be dug in the center of the sandbox to a depth of 1 m.

The manufacturing process is very simple:

the timber is polished and treated with an antiseptic;
the lower part is coated bitumen mastic to a height of at least a meter;
4 triangles are knocked out of boards and covered with plywood;
connect the triangles together and attach them to the top of the beam using spacers;
in the center of the pit they dig a hole 1 m deep;
insert the beam, level it using a plumb line;
fill the hole with crushed stone and soil, compact it.

There is another canopy option: vertical posts are bolted in the center of two opposite walls of the frame. Height of racks 2 m; in the upper part, the supports are connected by a horizontal rail, over which a rectangular piece of dense fabric or a special canopy is thrown. The ends of the canopy on each side are fixed with metal hooks to the walls of the sandbox.

The described options are the simplest and most popular; if desired, they can be supplemented at your discretion. The most important thing is that the structure is as safe as possible, then the baby will be happy to play in it, and the parents will be able to relax a little.

Video - DIY sandbox

The suburban area is actually all year round requires attention and care. Adults, busy with chores, cannot devote enough time to children. Therefore, it is very important to organize leisure time for children at the dacha. Ideal option- build a children's playground. It’s better to start setting up a children’s corner with a sandbox. A sandbox made with your own hands, even as an independent element, will keep little fidgets occupied for a long time.

You need to choose the location for installing the future sandbox and the materials for its manufacture, taking into account the following factors:

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

In addition to the entertainment function, playing with sand has a developmental and psychological function. Soft bulk material calms and relaxes the nervous system, promotes the development of creativity, fine motor skills, and perseverance.

Different types of sandboxes: pros and cons (table)

Classification parameter	View	Description
Design features	Open sandbox	Typical simplest design, which performs the main function - a playground
Design features	Closed sandbox	The presence of a lid 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 lid, which transforms into benches, will give extra bed for relaxation and games.
Material	Tree	Natural, environmentally friendly material easy to use. If you have good tools, even an inexperienced craftsman can cope with the manufacture of the simplest design. It is important to sand the parts well, round corners and edges to avoid injury. The only negative is that the wood is not durable. It dries out, rots, and bugs may appear. This can be avoided if you carefully treat the future sandbox.
	Plastic	Plastic is a durable, strong, safe, beautiful material. This model is easy to dismantle, store or transport to another location. 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.
Accommodation type	In-depth	The sandbox can be deepened into the ground, which is very effective for strengthening the foundation. In this case, drainage about 15 cm thick is necessary to avoid moisture accumulation. Then it is covered with agrofibre or a dense film, in which holes are made every 10 cm. Such a base will prevent the germination of grass, the appearance of insects and the mixing of sand with the soil.
Accommodation type	Elevated	This design is installed on concrete base or grass. It is necessary to ensure that even the most small child could climb into it on his own, for which low sides 380–400 mm high are made, which are half filled with sand.
Configuration	Figured sandboxes	Structures in the form of cars, boats, flowers, animals, and so on, serve as additional game details.
Configuration	Game centers	The simplest example is a sandbox made of stumps. 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 Usage car tires
It is necessary to protect the child from sun rays: a bright, large umbrella will help The cover will help protect the sand from debris and moisture The bright cover transforms into comfortable seats, thereby adding a place to relax An easier-to-use, but more difficult to manufacture option with a solid lid Can also serve as a separate game element Such a sandbox allows the child not only to play with the sand, but also to walk along the sides and warm up a little Standard sandbox - easy to make To protect children from the sun, you can make a canopy Also protects sand from contamination An original boat will delight your child Another version of the sandbox in the form of a ship

Preparatory work

Considering all of the above, it is more convenient and practical to make a deep wooden sandbox with a lid.

Drawings and dimensions of a children's sandbox

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

Despite the simplicity of the design of the future sandbox, it is better to have a visual diagram before your eyes. Thus, you first need to draw a drawing that will help you decide the necessary materials, correctly calculate the size 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 corner.

How to choose material

Consider the following facts:

Tree is different from tree. The durability of a 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 rotting.
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 sand the prepared parts well and treat them with an antiseptic before assembly, which will avoid unprotected areas. Iron loops It would also be more prudent to paint it in advance.
The main thing is not to forget what’s inside. The sand must be clean, free of foreign impurities, and mold well. Therefore, it is better to give preference to river or quartz sand, having first sifted 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, one cannot discount the presence of a foundation. 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 1500x1500 mm. To make the 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 short) – 4 pieces;
board 30x150x1560 mm (long sides) – 4 pieces;
seal - 1620mm;
self-tapping screws 45 mm - 50 pieces.

The transforming cover will be attached to the finished frame. For it 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;
hinges (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:

antiseptic for wood processing;
wood primer;
paint or varnish for coloring.

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

roulette;
pencil;
pegs with a rope tied to them;
shovel;
hacksaw or jigsaw;
sanding machine or sandpaper;
drill and drill bits;
screwdriver or set of screwdrivers.

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

It is better to carry out the work in several stages. First of all, it is advisable 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.

Housing assembly

We fasten the sanded and antiseptic-treated boards together in a square shape using corner elements - long bars, not forgetting to first mark and drill holes for the screws.

If you glue regular insulation between the first and second tier, the boards will fit closer to each other and sand will not spill out into the cracks.

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

To give greater strength to the future sandbox, you need to securely secure 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 waste machine oil. Now the frame of the future sandbox can be carefully moved to the installation site.

The frame of the future sandbox is ready for installation

Construction of the base and installation of the frame

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

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

Then you need to pour a five-centimeter layer of sand and compact it thoroughly.

On the resulting “pillow” lay the base itself, which can be made of different materials. 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 moisture accumulation.

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

Installation of a cover that transforms into seats

We thoroughly screw two boards on each side to the sides. Then we proceed to assembling the moving parts of the lid. To do this, we fasten the remaining boards in pairs using bars.

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

We attach the “seat” element to firmly screwed boards using three loops located at the same distance from each other. The hinges should be on top, and the bars connecting the seat boards should be on the bottom.

We attach the backrest to the seat, also using hinges, not forgetting that this time the hinges “look” inside the box, and the bars are on the outside.

In this build option, last stage quite problematic, because the backrest part has to be screwed in virtually 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 screw heads. You should also check that the lid opens and closes easily.

Final finishing

So, the sandbox is ready! Now it is advisable to use sandpaper or grinder smooth out possible corners. After this, even if all the wooden and iron parts have already been treated, it is better to go through the antiseptic again.

You can simply varnish the resulting structure, but it is best to paint it. And here fantasy comes to the rescue. Don't forget that this is a children's play area. And kids really love bright colors. Color the sandbox with different colors. Additionally, you can draw patterns, funny pictures by hand or apply using a stencil. The main thing is that the children are happy and feel comfortable in the new sandbox.

To prevent little builders from spreading sand all over the site, it is better to make a separate path to the sandbox.

Video: master class on making a transforming sandbox with your own hands

It’s easy to please your child by making a bright, beautiful sandbox with your own hands. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a simple box of sand 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.

A children's sandbox is a useful element in the country house. While the parents are busy with the garden, the child has fun making Easter cakes and building castles. Even an amateur craftsman can make a sandbox at the dacha with his own hands.

Types of sandboxes

By type of material: wood and plastic

Photo example of a classic wooden sandbox for children

- Traditional wooden sandboxes familiar to us since childhood. Making such a stationary structure in the form of a square box is not difficult. It is a little more difficult to build a collapsible sandbox, the installation of which is carried out like a designer due to cuts of equal height and width. Other models of wooden sandboxes contain elements such as:
  - - cover to protect from debris and rain. It could be a simple cap that needs to be removed and then put on each time.
    - a lid that transforms into a bench or shelf. Such a cover will become a very functional and convenient element.
    - polyethylene cover in the form of an umbrella or roof. The main thing here is to make it safe for the child.
  Wooden sandboxes are very convenient and environmentally friendly. However, the craftsman should carefully sand the boards, round the corners and edges, treat them with an antiseptic and varnish the surface. It is important to take all measures to prevent children from getting hurt.

Plastic sandboxes- a more modern trend. These are more complex and can be purchased ready-made. Plastic sandboxes are safe if they are made of high quality, harmless plastic.

Sometimes other materials are used to make a sandbox, for example, natural stone or brick. A significant disadvantage of this design is the high probability of injury.

By type of placement: recessed and raised structures

The first option is deepened into the ground to strengthen the foundation. In this case, be sure to make a drainage (15 cm) from pebbles and stones. This is necessary to ensure that moisture does not accumulate in the structure after rain. The drainage layer is covered with agrofibre or dense polyethylene, in which holes are made every 10 cm. Such a foundation will serve as an obstacle to the penetration of various insects from the ground and the germination of grass.

Raised structures require low sides (380-400 mm), which will allow the baby to climb into the sandbox himself. Half of the sides are covered with sand.

Sandbox planning and placement: basic requirements

When planning a sandbox, a key principle to consider is the safety of the structure. However, other points are also important:

Sandbox location. Choose a place so that the child is always within sight of adults. The opposite is best kitchen windows. Do not build a structure next to trees. Firstly, there will always be garbage in it (dry branches, leaves, bird droppings); secondly, because of the shade, the sand will take a long time to dry after rain. If the place you choose is located in the sun, then you should include the installation of a canopy in the project.
Sand quality. It is best to purchase white river sand at a hardware store. Ordinary construction sand can ruin a baby's clothes and hands. In addition, it should be sifted to remove foreign materials: stone, glass, construction waste.
Type, form of construction. Of course, the safest design is one that does not have sharp corners. However, even if the structure rectangular shape, you can round the corners or decorate them soft material, for example, foam rubber. The structure with a canopy must be firmly strengthened so that the wind or a child does not knock it over.

Marking

The location has been selected - you can mark the future sandbox. Wooden stakes and lacing are used for this. You should designate a square or rectangle, which will soon be transformed into a sand entertainment area.

The size of the sandbox depends on the number of children playing in it at the same time. If there are 1-2 children, then the side of the square will be from 2 to 3 meters. This territory is quite enough for the free movement of children.

When the construction site has already been marked, soil excavation can begin. It is important to do this so that the sand does not mix with the soil. Don’t go too deep: 15 cm is enough.

Preparing the base

In place of the selected soil, a sand cushion is poured with a layer of no more than 5 cm. It must be thoroughly compacted with a roller or a manual wooden tamper.

The sand cushion is covered with geotextiles so that the sand itself does not mix with the cushion and soil. Thus, the sand will always be clean, without soil impurities. Interestingly, it can be placed nearby, which is suitable for both small children and older children.

Construction of sides

To build the sides you will need four bars measuring 45*5*5, four boards measuring 150*30*2.5 and the same number of boards for horizontal sides. They need to be placed on top along the perimeter of the structure. Boards and beams should be thoroughly sanded and coated with drying oil or other antiseptic solution(for example, bitumen) in 2-3 layers. This is required to protect the wood from rotting.

The bars are deepened by 15-20 cm, boards are nailed to them, then horizontal seat pads are attached. Here children will relax or exhibit their “works”.

Filling

River or quartz sand is poured up to half the height of the sides. If you use regular construction sand (which is not recommended), sift it and clear it of stones and other debris. Quartz sand often already contains substances that repel various bugs.

When purchasing river sand, pay attention to the quality certificate. The sand must be dust-free so that after moistening it does not turn into dirt and is well shaped. If you cannot find such sand, be sure to wash any material you purchase.

Protection

It is important that the wood is smooth, without knots or chips, so you need to sand it with a special attachment on an electric drill. The wood must be carefully processed. It is better to fasten the frame of the structure not with nails, so that children do not get hurt by them. The most important thing is to remember that this structure is being built for children, so everything needs to be done competently and thoroughly.

Additional items

A homemade sandbox can be equipped with additional functional elements.

Lid

The lid will serve as an excellent protection for the playing material - sand - from debris and various insects getting into it. Thus, pets will not have access to the sandbox with a lid. Possible options are:

simple, which can be removed and put back in place at any time;
awning cover, which is stretched over the structure;
hinged lid, made of two shields. Wooden panels must be equipped with handles and special hinges. IN sliding form they can serve as benches with backs;
-transformer, which turns into a shelf or bench. It is convenient, practical, but will require a little more physical effort.

Canopy

Sun protection can be provided in the sandbox.

A canopy in a children's sandbox is needed to protect the child from the scorching rays of the sun and sudden precipitation. A wooden canopy can be made in the form of an umbrella, a mushroom or a roof. To do this, install a leg - a beam 100*100 mm wide and 3 m long. A cap, umbrella or fungus is mounted on it. Often a table is installed nearby, which serves as a “working” surface for the child’s sand creations.

The canopy can be made not only from boards, but also from plastic, polyethylene, straw or reed. But still wooden awnings– the most reliable and safe.

House

The design with a house and a slide is suitable for older children.

Sandbox with a house - full-fledged. The house can be located next to the sandbox or above it. In the second case, you will need a ladder along which the children will climb to it. On the other hand, it is necessary to provide a slide along which you can go down straight into the sand. Of course, such constructions with a house are intended for older children. They will be unsafe for small babies.

Benches

The role of benches can be played by the sides of the sandbox or a sliding lid that transforms into benches with backs. Last option convenient and multifunctional.

Design

A children's sandbox can be built in the shape of a sailboat

Everything that your imagination suggests can be brought into reality, armed with bright colors and brushes. You can draw on the walls, sides and lid of the sandbox not only flowers and trees, but also numbers, letters and geometric figures. It will not only be colorful, but also educational for children. will change a lot.

The sandbox itself can be made in the form of a sailboat or boat, a spaceship or a flying saucer, a turtle or any cartoon character. An interesting, truly boyish sandbox will be a construction made of wooden posts in the form of a labyrinth.

Video

Watch a video on how to make a wooden sandbox with a roof from scrap materials:

So, building a sandbox at the dacha with your own hands is not an easy task, but an interesting one. You can choose any design model, take into account your child’s wishes, and most importantly, you can involve him in the activity. Working on the project and design of the sandbox will help bring the family together. Such a common cause will be remembered by everyone for a long time.

Making a sandbox at the dacha with your own hands

Children can dig in the sand at the dacha for hours - build, sculpt, break, and build again. You can give them this pleasure by making a sandbox at your dacha, especially since you don’t have to be a professional carpenter or carpenter for this. All you need is a little imagination, materials available to everyone and, of course, desire.

Choosing a place for the sandbox

Select a location for the sandbox based on the following criteria:

Convenience. This should be an open area so that the child does not have to wade through bushes or overcome other obstacles on the way to the sandbox.

Review. Playground should be clearly visible from the yard and windows.

Shading. It is advisable to place the sandbox on the east or west side of the house so that the sand is well illuminated by the sun and dries quickly after rain. But it is also unsafe for children to be in the open sun for a long time, so trees growing nearby and providing shade will come in handy.

Required tools and materials

For a sandbox measuring 1.7x1.7 you will need the following materials:

Bars 5x5 cm, length 35-40 cm - 4 pieces;
Boards 170x30x2.5 cm for the frame - 4 pieces. Alternatively, you can use narrower boards (10 or 15 cm), increasing their number;
Boards for benches 200x40x2.5 cm - 4 pieces;
Antiseptic for impregnating wood: Pinotex, Drevotex or Nortex;
Wood paint;
Wood screws;
Bolts;
Fine sand;
Dense polyethylene or other material for covering the bottom (agrofibre, plywood, etc.).

Make sure you have availability necessary tools to perform work:

Bayonet shovel;
Measuring tape;
Jigsaw or hacksaw;
Drill with a set of attachments;
Grinder with grinding wheel.

Assembling a sandbox

Before assembling the sandbox, we treat the boards with an antiseptic. This will protect the tree from rotting during the rainy season and damage by insects. After impregnation, let the boards dry for 24 hours.

A structure fastened with nails or self-tapping screws is not durable, so we strengthen it with bars. In the bars, using a drill and feather drills for wood, we drill two holes for the mounting bolts. We bore the holes at the top to a larger diameter in order to hide the bolt heads and washers in them and prevent children from being injured during play.

The edges of the bench boards need to be trimmed to fit acute angle using a hacksaw or jigsaw so that when connected they form a right angle.

We strengthen the corner joints of the benches metal plate. We fasten it with self-tapping screws from below so that it grips both boards equally.

We sand all the surfaces of the sandbox so that it looks decent, and the children do not get splinters while playing and relaxing on the benches.

We paint the sandbox in any color you like with exterior paint. You can draw any patterns on it: flowers, butterflies, favorite cartoon characters.

Installing a sandbox

While the painted sandbox is drying, let's prepare a place for it.

We mark the area for the sandbox and remove the top layer of soil (10-15 cm). It is important to remember that for convenience the markings should be done at 5-10 cm more sizes sandboxes.

Place thick polyethylene on the bottom of the prepared recess. It will protect the sandbox from the penetration of moles and mice, and the sand will not mix with the ground, while remaining clean. Do not forget to make holes in the polyethylene so that moisture does not stagnate in the sandbox, but goes through them into the ground. The size of the material for the protective layer should be slightly larger than the prepared area.

All that remains is to install the finished sandbox in the prepared place and fill it with sand. For a sandbox of this size you will need 25-30 bags of sand.

If desired, you can install an umbrella near the sandbox that will protect children from the sun. After playing in the sand, the sandbox can be covered with an awning or a plywood shield to prevent debris from getting into it. As you can see, anyone can make a sandbox, and children are guaranteed to have a lot of fun playing with their favorite toys in the sand.