For the full development of a child, a competent organization of a special place for games is necessary. Many people think about the independent construction of various structures that will help solve this problem. Almost all children love to play in sand and, with undisguised delight, build all kinds of castles, tunnels from it, mold different figures and much more..
Playing with sand not only helps to occupy the child’s leisure time, but to develop fine motor skills of hands, learn patience and attentiveness. Many parents understand this and want to build a sandbox for their children with their own hands..
Necessary materials
If you examine the range of sandboxes offered in specialty stores or shopping centers, you will find that products can be made from a wide variety of materials, including plastic. The cost of ready-made sandboxes is relatively expensive, so it is advisable to make a simple structure yourself.
It is recommended to use boards for construction. The material must be perfectly planed so that the child cannot get unwanted injury. The playground in most cases has the shape of a square. The optimal dimensions of the sandbox are 1.5×1.5 m, 1.7×1.7 m and 2×2 m, with a height of 20-30 cm. The thickness of the boards should also be taken into account: it should be more than 0.3 m.
In addition to the main material for the construction of a small structure, you will need filler, which, as a rule, is pure river sand, and a base that helps protect against moisture: crushed stone, pebbles, durable polyethylene and other building materials.
Choosing a placement and preparing the base of the sandbox
There are several basic rules for choosing a place for the playground, which it is recommended to adhere to:
- the sandbox should be located on a level and easily visible area. Children’s structures should not be covered with outbuildings or bushes;
- to protect babies from overheating, it is advisable to pick up an area in the shade. If this cannot be done, then there is always the opportunity to use a beach umbrella, which is securely fixed next to the children’s play area;
- do not place the sandbox under the trees, as there will be a need to regularly remove the sandbox from branches and leaves falling from plants.
After choosing the optimal place for the structure, the first stage of construction begins – this is a thorough preparation of the base of the sandbox. The basis can be dense polyethylene film, paving slabs or plywood sheets in which holes were previously made for drainage.
Some parents skip this step. Such a rash act leads to the fact that children will not be able to play comfortably, and the sand will resemble mud. Also, the litter is a reliable protector against all kinds of insects and rodents entering the playground..
Whatever material for the base is chosen, it is recommended to pour out sand before laying it on the site, the layer of which should not exceed 6 cm.
How to build a sandbox with your own hands: step by step instructions
Stages of construction of a children’s sandbox with dimensions of 1.7×1.7 m:
- Having chosen a well-visible and open place for a children’s playground, you need to start establishing the foundation. Take small pegs, a measuring tape, and a rope. Then you need to fence the area around the perimeter.
- It is necessary to remove a layer of earth with a thickness of about 0.3 m, then in the center of the future playground it is necessary to create a depression, the diameter of which should be about 0.5 m, and the depth – 0.7 m. It is necessary to pour pebbles into the dug hole and tamp it. Such a structure will act as a drain. It is necessary to create a bias from the future sides of the sandbox. As a result, you should get a small depression measuring 1.7×1.7×0.3 m with a pit filled with pebbles in the middle.
- At the third stage, the sides should be created and sandbox walls. The following materials must be prepared in advance:
- four bars with dimensions of 0.45×0.05×0.05 m;
- four boards measuring 1.5×0.3×0.025 m;
- four boards required to create horizontal boards.
The material should be well sanded to eliminate the risk of splinters in the child. An ordinary electric drill with a grinding attachment is perfect for achieving this goal..
Beams and boards should be treated twice with linseed oil or another effective antiseptic composition that prevents the process of wood decay.
The processed bars are dug in at the corners of the playground to a depth of 20 cm. Boards are nailed to them. In the absence of wide boards, it is possible to use several narrow ones, which should be nailed to the bars in turn.
Along the perimeter of the children’s sandbox, horizontal sides or seat pads should be strengthened, on which children can create their own «masterpieces».
- The fourth stage is to create functional roof, can be skipped. But it should be borne in mind that this structural element will help protect the sand from the ingress of various debris, foliage and branches. To create a roof, an ordinary awning is suitable, which must be used every evening. It is advisable to use boards and put together a roof in accordance with the dimensions of the sandbox itself.
A pragmatic option would be a swing cover for the playground. It is made of two panels, fastened together by hinge loops and having handles for maximum convenience.
- The fifth stage is considered very important for the child. It consists in the design and decorating the created structure. In the process, you can realize a variety of fantasies, not forgetting about the preferences of the children. The best option would be bright and positive colors, geometric shapes and animals. For painting the sandbox, ordinary oil paint is suitable..
- At the final stage, it is necessary fill the built sandbox. For these purposes, ordinary river sand is ideal, which must be sifted beforehand..
If it is not possible to use river sand as a filler, then quartz can be used. The material can be purchased at any hardware store. It is recommended to pay attention to brands that have the properties of repelling parasites and rodents. For a sandbox measuring 1.7×1.7 m, you need more than one ton of sand.
DIY sandbox: photo
Young children love to spend time and play in the sand. To provide this opportunity, you can create a sandbox with your own hands. Construction will not take much time, effort and will not require large financial investments.
In order to better imagine the appearance of the future playground for children, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the photos of the finished sandboxes. After all, such a structure can represent not only a simple construction of boards, but also an impressive sandbox in the form of a boat or a building with additional interesting and original elements..
Bright colors, beautiful images – children will like this decor, but do not forget about the competent creation of the base of the sandbox. It is precisely this that provides a comfortable play for children..
