Even beginners to DIY can build a sandbox in just a few hours and with just a few very basic tools and the materials needed can be bought relatively cheaply from a hardware store and lumberyard. You can either choose to have the wood cut to size from your dimensions or a power mitre saw will breeze through the cutting for you, along with this the only other tools you will need are a box of 3 inch galvanised nails and a hammer.

Of course you will have to determine which type of lumber you wish to construct your sandbox from and also the type of sand you are going to fill it with.

Untreated fir, pine or spruce all make excellent choices for the wood but it is important not to use any wood which has been treated with chemicals as this of course could be harmful to children.

Sterile sand is a necessity and this can be bought from any hardware or toy store in huge bags, never be tempted to use cheaper construction sand as it could have particles in it which could be harmful to children.

Materials for Building Sandboxes

Once you have your tools, lumber and sand then you can begin constructing your sandbox, make sure that the wood has either been pre cut or make the cuts yourself, a good size for the wood is as follows:

• 2 pieces of 2x12 inch cut to 4 foot lengths

• 2 pieces of 2x12 inch cut to 3 foot 10 and a half lengths

• Four pieces of 4 x 4 cut to 11 and a quarter lengths

• 4 ¾ plywood which have been cut at a 90 degree angle with sides of 15 inch

• 1 4 x 4 foot square of pattered lattice work

The first step is to put together the outer frame of the sandbox; the longer pieces are for the front and back of the box and the shorter for the sides.
Secure each piece of wood using 3 inch nails at the corners and then nail the 4 x 4 pieces of lumber to the corners on the inside making sure that the angle is 90 degrees.

The plywood which should have been cut at a 90 degree angle previously will be the corner seats for the sandbox and will also add to the stability of the frame and once you have braced the corners these can be nailed onto the top after making sure that they are lined up smoothly with the top edge.

Adding the Sand and Finishing Touches

When you have all four corners attached in place the sandbox should then be a sturdy frame which can be placed into position in the garden, placing it on concrete slabs is preferable to placing it directly on grass. By doing so you will be assured that small insects or worms will not bury their way up into the sandbox, in order to stop small animals from getting into it the 4 x 4 lattice will serve as a lid for the sandbox.

Once you have the box in position all that is left to do is to fill the sandbox with clean sterile sand and add buckets or such things as small plant pots and plastic rakes and, of course, children.