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If there are small children in the family, then sooner or later a sandbox should appear at the dacha. Sand for children is a unique material from which you can make a cutlet for dad, build a castle for the queen mother, build a large transport highway for cars, or draw a portrait of your favorite dog. A child’s imagination sometimes surprises with its scope, but many adults do not want to show their creativity and skills to build a full-fledged sandbox, simply pouring a mountain of sand on the surface of the earth. Over time, the sand is washed away by rain, the toys from the sandbox “go for a walk” in the yard and the child is no longer interested in playing on this playground object. The situation can be corrected by building a stationary, comfortable sandbox, which will become a place of attraction for children for a long time. A do-it-yourself sandbox for a summer cottage will not cause much trouble for caring parents, because building a high-quality, environmentally friendly frame requires a minimum of financial costs and a little time.At the same time, you don’t need to be an engineer or designer at all, because you can use ready-made ideas and schemes for the construction of such objects.
Simple ideas for every parent
Before you think about creating a sandbox, you need to evaluate your strengths, the availability of free time and the necessary materials and tools. If there is enough of everything, then you can think about building a complex, but quite entertaining structure. If you need to build a sandbox quickly and you don’t plan to invest any special expenses on it, you can choose one of the simple construction options that not only a skilled dad, but even an inexperienced mom can implement. Several such sandbox options are offered below.
Sandbox made of logs
Constructing a frame for sand from logs is one of the simplest options. This material is easy to find, affordable, and environmentally friendly. A sandbox made of logs can not only attract children to play, but also complement a garden plot, the design of which is made in a rustic style.
It is worth noting that logs can be used to build a sandbox in several ways. For example, if you have four logs, you can make a frame in the form of a rectangle or square. The logs must be fastened together in several places with long nails or self-tapping screws. The rough surface of the logs must be protected with a planed, painted board, which will not pose a risk of splinters to children. An example of such a sandbox is shown in the photo:
Perhaps a slightly more complex version of constructing a frame for sand can be done using 4 stumps and the same number of logs.In this case, the stumps will serve as seats, which will not require additional construction of benches made of boards. In this option, special attention must be paid to wood processing: it must be well cleaned and sanded.
Craftsmen who have experience in laying log houses will not have much difficulty creating a sandbox according to the following option:
A sufficiently high frame of such a structure allows it to be filled with a large volume of sand, while the toys will be in the sandbox without scattering outside of it.
Sand frames made from logs are durable and reliable. The rounded shapes of the wood ensure the safety of the child and even if the baby hits, he will not receive serious injuries.
Sandboxes made of stumps
To create a frame, you can use planed hemp of a round log. Their diameters and heights may be equal or different. Variants of such sandboxes are shown in the photo below.
A sandbox for a summer cottage made from stumps will look simpler if you use elements of equal height and diameter as shown in the photo:
Structures with an original shape and different heights of stumps look interesting on the site.
In order to make a children's sandbox from stumps with your own hands, you need to set the outline of the future object, then remove the top layer of soil and dig a small groove around the perimeter. The stumps are installed vertically into this groove, hammering them in a little. Wooden elements must first be treated with antiseptic agents, which will prevent the development of rotting and the influence of pests. Varnish or paint will protect the wood from exposure to sunlight and preserve the decorative appearance of the sandbox for a long time.
When constructing a frame from stumps, it is necessary to protect the lower part of the logs with waterproofing material, which will additionally fasten the elements together and give rigidity to the structure. Photos of the construction of a structure made of wooden stumps can be seen below.
Construction of a sandbox from stumps requires time and imagination from the creator. However, such designs always look original and will surely appeal to every child.
The simplest option
For parents who have absolutely no time, the simplest option of creating a sandbox using a car tire may be suitable. To do this, you just need to cut off the rim of the large wheel on one side and brightly decorate the resulting sandbox. An example of such a frame for sand can be seen in the photo:
If you have several car tires, you can build a more complex and original design. To do this, you need to cut the tires in half and make them, for example, in the shape of a flower. The edges of the tires need to be stitched with staples or wire.
Using tires to build a children's sandbox with your own hands is the simplest option that even the baby's mother can implement.
Purchasing a ready-made sandbox
For some parents, it is much easier to purchase a ready-made plastic sandbox for their dacha than to bother with construction themselves. This option is not only the simplest, but also the most expensive, because a large sandbox costs a lot of money. It is necessary to note some significant advantages of plastic structures:
- plastic does not rot and is not susceptible to pests;
- during operation there is no need to treat the surface of the structure;
- if necessary, the lightweight frame can be moved from one place to another.
Construction of a sandbox from boards: a detailed description of the technology
The board is one of the most used building materials, including for the construction of a frame for sand. There are specially designed schemes for constructing sandboxes made of wood, which anyone can use.
In order to understand how to make a sandbox from boards as simply as possible, you need to study the given technology:
- mark the location for installing the frame, remove the top layer of soil;
- drive bars into the corners of the future playground;
- Attach a planed board to the beams along the perimeter of the structure;
- Attach wooden plates horizontally to the corners of the sandbox, which will serve as seats.
A drawing of a frame for sand made of boards corresponding to the above technology can be seen below.
It is worth noting that even before assembling such a frame, all its wooden elements must be planed and coated with antifungal agents, varnished, and painted. In general, using such a simple technology you can get an excellent sandbox for children.
Original, multifunctional options
A sandbox for your dacha, built with your own hands in the shape of a car or a boat, can truly surprise and delight your child. To create a design you will have to spend a lot of time and at the same time show all your skill.
A ship with sand can be built from boards, which are joined in two places using a block and in three places with nails to each other. You can add additional rigidity to the structure using horizontally placed boards along the upper edge of the sandbox. They will also serve as benches. When installing the boat, bars are installed vertically in the four corners, onto which, if necessary, a rag roof is attached on top. You can finish creating the composition by installing the steering wheel. You can see the sandbox-ship made using the described technology in the photo:
The easiest way to create a frame for sand in the form of a car is to use the appropriate elements of its design and suitable coloring. In the photo below you can see an example of such a country house design.
A more complex version of a sandbox made in the form of a car is shown in the photo below. Only a true master can build it at the dacha with his own hands.
Frames in the form of cars and boats are not only a place for storing sand, but also an independent object for play, an original decoration of landscape design.
Sandboxes with protection
When creating a sandbox at your dacha, you should take care to protect your child from sunlight. To do this, you can install a rag or wooden roof over the structure. In the photo below you can see the simplest example of such a structure.
Such a sandbox in the country requires a competent approach to construction. The rafter part must be made of bars, with a side of at least 4 cm, securely fixing them to the frame. The option of using fabric to create a roof is much easier and cheaper to create than an analogue with a wooden roof. At the same time, fabric is a less strong and durable material.An example of constructing a frame for sand with a wooden roof can be seen in the photo below.
Crumbly sand in the yard can not only be a joy for a child, but also a source of health problems. The thing is that pets can use sand as a toilet, and small children, unaware of the possible danger, rub their eyes with their hands and wipe their mouths, infecting their bodies with helminths.
To protect sand from pets, dirt, and debris, you can use special covers that are designed at the stage of creating the frame. An example of building a sandbox with a lid is shown in the video:
A frame for sand with a protective cover can easily be called a transformer, since during play the sandbox lid can become a convenient bench for children.
Basic principles of sandbox construction
The choice of scheme and method of constructing a sandbox depends on the desires, imagination, capabilities and abilities of the master. However, in order to understand how to make a children's sandbox correctly, you need to familiarize yourself with some general rules, requirements, and recommendations:
- The structure with sand in the country should be installed in a place with good visibility so that children are always under supervision.
- The terrain where it is planned to install the frame must be leveled so that streams of rainwater do not wash away the sand.
- It is better to install a sandbox without a roof in the shade of tall plants. Their crown will protect children from direct sunlight.
- You can replace the stationary roof of the structure with a large beach umbrella.
- It is necessary to lay drainage material at the base of the sandbox under the frame. This could be a piece of linoleum with small holes through which rainwater will drain.Linoleum will not allow weeds to grow through the thickness of the sand and mix the filling of the frame with the turf soil. You can replace linoleum with geotextiles, which will perform all the necessary functions.
- After children play, the sand must be covered with protective material or a lid. Polyethylene can be used as a protective material. Under it, the sand will remain clean from litter and animal feces, and dry after rain.
- When installing, the frame should be dug into the ground in order to prevent sand from being washed away.
- All wooden parts of the frame must be well sanded and treated with antiseptic agents. This will ensure the safety of children and preserve the structure for a long period of time.
- The presence of benches and benches will make it more convenient for children to play with sand.
- For children under 5 years old, the recommended size of the side of the sandbox is only 1.7 m, however, do not forget that at a later age children play with sand, which means it is better to increase the dimensions of the frame.
- It is convenient to use a sandbox with a formwork height of 30 to 50 cm, depending on the age of the baby.
- Fastening wooden elements is best done using self-tapping screws, which will firmly hold the structure in place for many years.
- Plastic sandboxes and structures made from car tires are mobile. If necessary, they can be easily moved from one place to another.
- The layer of sand for children to fully play should not be less than 20 cm.
By following simple construction rules, even the most inexperienced craftsmen will be able to build children's sandboxes for their summer cottage with their own hands.If you follow the rules and recommendations for the construction of structures, you can guarantee quality and durability, and, most importantly, the convenience of the facility for children.
The sandbox will be able to solve the issue of keeping children busy at the dacha by developing their imagination and fine motor skills. In turn, parents, by creating a playground object with their own hands, will fully demonstrate their care for their children and their love for them. Having studied the proposed schemes and photos of sandboxes, the entire family will be able to choose the best option for themselves and bring it to life through joint efforts. After all, there is no more interesting activity for children than helping adults and then playing in the sandbox, which was built, among other things, with their participation.
