Building a 6 x 8 Sandbox

Look how many kids can fit...SO much Sand!

I talked Dad into starting the sandbox project Thursday night.  After looking over the plans based off of Ana White's page but modified for a much larger sand box, we decided to go with what I had already figured out.  So, we made another trip to Home Depot with the boys to buy supplies, then began work.

Supplies:

(2) - 12" X 1" X 8'

(12) - 8" X 1" X 6'
(2) - 12" X 1" X 6'

(4) - 2" X 4" X 1ft 3inches

(8) Outdoor Hinges

Screws 1 1/2 inches

(4) Handles

 Weather Proofing stain and sealer

#6 Boy helping as it got started

Steps:

1) We started by making the bottom box.  To do this we cut 1 1/2 inches off of 2 of the 12 X 1 X 6.  We placed the newly cut boards 1 1/2 inches in from both ends of the 12 X 1 X 8 and screwed them together with 4 screws on each connection (16 total).

[The following steps will happen on both sides of the box but I will just explain once]

2) Screw down the first (#1 Board) 8 X 1 X 6 board lined up with the end of the box. 
3) Spaced 1 inch from your first board lay down the #2  board.  Screw edges into base box.
4) Space the #3 board 1 inch from the second board.  Add 2 hinges on the top of the wood.  Place them 1 ft 2 1/2 inches in from either side.

 5)  Hold arm rest under #3 board sticking out half way and 1 foot from the edge under the two boards and screw from the top down.  Then place #4 board 1 inch away from #3 board and screw down into arm rests.
6) Open up the bench.  Then screw hinges into #4 board hanging off the back of the sandbox.

7) Grab boards #5 and #6 space on ground 1 inch apart.  Screw the 2 X 4 X 1ft 3inches in from the edges 1 ft 2 1/2 inches and half way up #6 board, hanging down over #5 board.  Also screw handles into place.

8) Screw the hinges attached to #4 board into #5 board leaving 1 inch space between boards. 

These are the hinges we used

Dad whistling while he works

The End product not stained

The lid pulls up into two seats.

9) Stain and weather proof

On Saturday we stained the sandbox. We aren't sure still why we give the kids paint brushes...ever!

#6 Boy and Mom

Oh the help

Then we sent them to the shade and got some real work done

10) Place sandbox into desired location (with a 1 1/2 feet deep hole under) leaving 1 ft 3 inches behind benches so they can open. 

We got it set into place but were not able to get the sand Saturday

But it felt good to have it there

11) Fill with 2 yards of white playground sand and enjoy!

Then Monday night we finally got sand in the sandbox

and the kids were happy...and sandy and also wet from the old sandbox