Building a sandbox is a fun project and one that you can enjoy doing with your children. Take them shopping for materials so they can help out and learn about where their toys came from, then let them help you build their new sandbox. It's a great way to spend time together. DIY Sandbox plans are a fun, low-cost project for beginner builders. There are many ways to build a sandbox. The best type of sandbox for you depends on your budget and available materials.
DIY Sandbox Plans
Regardless of the material you choose, we recommend using pressure-treated wood to ensure the safety of your children. To save time, check your local hardware store for any scrap lumber they may have leftover in their wood department to use as the sides of your sandbox. Build your children the ultimate playground with one of these 13 DIY sandbox plans. These free sandbox plans will help you build a sandbox that is right for you. Select your plan length and width to begin generating your sandbox plans. Get ready to have fun playing with the kids and work on the house all at once! These 13 Free DIY Sandbox Plans are just what you need.
Sandbox With Folding Lid and Seats
If you're looking for something to entertain your children at the beach or a summer birthday party, this sandbox is for you. Sometimes the best place to play is in your own backyard. A sandbox is a great option for those looking for plenty of room to play and save the trip to the beach. This sandbox plan includes benches that are perfect for catching a spot of sun or just a quick rest after playing in the sand. The lid on this sandbox doubles as two benches for the children and folds over to keep the sand-covered when not in use. This sandbox is designed to be made out of lumber, although measurements can be taken out of other sizes, depending on the age and size of your children. Sand is not included.
Project Difficulty: Easy
Time to Build: 1-3 Hours
Materials:
- Cedar Boards
- Deck Screws
- Deck Screws
- Construction Adhesive
Tools Needed:
- Circular Saw
- Tape Measure
- Drill/Driver & Bits
- Hammer
- Clamps
Covered Sandbox
When you're looking for the perfect place to play, this covered sandbox will be a great addition to your backyard. A free sandbox plan with a shade cover is the perfect reason to get the kids outside and keep them there throughout the summer. Made from treated wood, this sandbox has a built-in drainage system so water doesn’t pool at the bottom. A roomy palette is designed specifically for kids and lets them play safely on the warm summer days. It includes amazing features, such as attractive gabled roofs for shade, easy access lids for filling and cleaning, and a bench for plopping down and watching all the action.
Project Difficulty: Easy
Time to Build: 1-3 Hours
Materials:
- Cedar Boards
- Deck Screws
- Deck Screws
- Construction Adhesive
Tools Needed:
- Circular Saw
- Tape Measure
- Drill/Driver & Bits
- Hammer
- Clamps
DIY Wood Sandbox Tutorial For Backyard
Easy to build, this wooden sandbox is great for kids of all ages. In fact, a child can help you put it together along with their friends or siblings. This sandbox is big enough for two small kids or one big kid to play in at once. The addition of one rectangular piece of plywood makes this the perfect stand-in for a homemade picnic table that the whole family can enjoy. Optional benches and umbrellas can always be added as they fit your needs and budget.. This fun family project is made out of landscape timbers and some weeds barriers. It won’t take much time to make and is guaranteed to make your backyard more appealing than ever!
Project Difficulty: Easy
Time to Build: 1-3 Hours
Materials:
- Cedar Boards
- Deck Screws
- Deck Screws
- Construction Adhesive
Tools Needed:
- Circular Saw
- Tape Measure
- Drill/Driver & Bits
- Hammer
- Clamps
Easy DIY Sandbox
If you’re tired of filling your kid's sandbox up at the end of each day and want to make the most of your space and money then you need to take on this DIY challenge. Not only is this sandbox an enjoyable project to undertake with the family, but it will give your kids so much more room to play, and look beautiful in your yard as well. With a built-in sandbox cover and drain holes, this is one playground addition that won’t be forgotten about. A tarp over the top keeps the children from getting slivers from the wood but allows for proper airflow underneath the sandbox itself
Project Difficulty: Easy
Time to Build: 1-3 Hours
Materials:
- Cedar Boards
- Deck Screws
- Deck Screws
- Construction Adhesive
Tools Needed:
- Circular Saw
- Tape Measure
- Drill/Driver & Bits
- Hammer
- Clamps
Sandbox Rockbox
A sandbox is a great addition to any backyard and even better if it’s homemade. This sandbox design is a combination of storage, protection, and convenience with the added benefit that it doesn’t look like a huge mess of sand. We think this would be a fun weekend project for most families. This playful sandbox has lots of great elements, but one of the most interesting is that the top is hinged. This makes it far easier to get the sand out when it’s time to go, which we are sure you will appreciate!
Check out the awesome lid with a garden fence leaning against it and the landscape barrier, which will keep kids from wandering into the sidewalk. When it’s open, their landscape barrier has rocks in it for more all-around creativity.
Project Difficulty: Easy
Time to Build: 1-3 Hours
Materials:
- Cedar Boards
- Deck Screws
- Deck Screws
- Construction Adhesive
Tools Needed:
- Circular Saw
- Tape Measure
- Drill/Driver & Bits
- Hammer
- Clamps
Deluxe Sandbox Tutorial
This Deluxe DIY Sandbox is a great way to keep kids busy and let them play in the sand without your having to worry about them getting dirty. This sandbox also comes with its own lid so you can close it up if you want to use it for seating (it can look like a bench). The seats are made of cedarwood, which is really durable and easy to work with. This large sandbox opens and closes into a seat that is perfect for kids. When closed it gives some privacy to the children from prying eyes. It also has a bench on both sides that allows adults to sit and watch the young ones play and enjoy the weather in style.
Project Difficulty: Easy
Time to Build: 1-3 Hours
Materials:
- Cedar Boards
- Deck Screws
- Deck Screws
- Construction Adhesive
Tools Needed:
- Circular Saw
- Tape Measure
- Drill/Driver & Bits
- Hammer
- Clamps
How Not To Build A Sandbox
Every parent who has built a sandbox has wished 'someone else' had built it. Even if you know how to build one, it's a pain. Having seen and experienced this ourselves, we set out to build an awesome sandbox that would be easy to build and provide a great surface area for play. Sandboxes have been around for hundreds of years, but that doesn't mean there haven't been any improvements made in the design. Not only does this sandbox look better than the ancient ones, but its design also allows for a safe and enjoyable time for kids with minimal parental supervision.
Project Difficulty: Easy
Time to Build: 1-3 Hours
Materials:
- Cedar Boards
- Deck Screws
- Deck Screws
- Construction Adhesive
Tools Needed:
- Circular Saw
- Tape Measure
- Drill/Driver & Bits
- Hammer
- Clamps
Easy DIY Sandbox
It's time to get outside and enjoy the summer! This do-it-yourself backyard sandbox is so easy to install! Your kids will have plenty of room to build sandcastles or bury you in the sand (for fun, we promise). Rug up, grab a glass of something fabulous, and head outside to soak up this gorgeous weather! Create a sandbox in your own yard. These easy-to-make sandbox kits include everything you need to ensure tons of fun for your kids. Just add sand! The wood-alternative plastic lumber is proven to hold up against the elements, yet is still easy to cut, mold, and drill into. Set up any shape or size. With your imagination, there are unlimited possibilities!
Project Difficulty: Easy
Time to Build: 1-3 Hours
Materials:
- Cedar Boards
- Deck Screws
- Deck Screws
- Construction Adhesive
Tools Needed:
- Circular Saw
- Tape Measure
- Drill/Driver & Bits
- Hammer
- Clamps
Sandbox
The Sandbox is a great idea for making a fun, safe place for kids to play outdoors. This simple sandbox has a bench seat at the top, perfect for keeping your little one occupied while you sit back and enjoy observing them. This project will teach you how to build a simple sandbox using all pressure-treated lumber and then cover it with topsoil. The plans feature all the information and measurement details you'll need to build a sandbox your child will love playing in. Use this sandbox to turn your child's backyard into a safe, fun play area. Whether you're looking for a place to entertain the kids or have a dedicated play space they can call their own, a sandbox is an excellent choice.
Project Difficulty: Easy
Time to Build: 1-3 Hours
Materials:
- Cedar Boards
- Deck Screws
- Deck Screws
- Construction Adhesive
Tools Needed:
- Circular Saw
- Tape Measure
- Drill/Driver & Bits
- Hammer
- Clamps
Building A Sandbox
Are you looking for a project that’s easy to build but brings big returns? Have you ever considered building a sandbox? If so, we think the Sandbox design has a lot of great features. It’s built with wood and vinyl and designed to fit in almost any backyard that has little shade. You will love the bright colors on this design, too. So you could paint any sandbox model that you build, but we like this one, as it seems simple to do.
You get the information on how to add corner support benches and even how to add an umbrella to your sandbox. We also like that this sandbox offers a corner bench and that it’s not too difficult to customize. You can add an umbrella to keep little bodies shaded or let the kids paint the benches and the sandbox itself to make their own special place, unique to them.
Project Difficulty: Easy
Time to Build: 1-3 Hours
Materials:
- Cedar Boards
- Deck Screws
- Deck Screws
- Construction Adhesive
Tools Needed:
- Circular Saw
- Tape Measure
- Drill/Driver & Bits
- Hammer
- Clamps
SandBox With Built-in Seats
This Sandbox With Built-in Seats is the only toy your kids need for hours of fun this summer. It is completely reversible for twice the use and twice the fun! It's sure to keep kids busy outside all day with its built-in seats, pop-up sides, and toy strap. This sandbox features durable polyethylene construction, an attached water bucket, and a shovel. The perfect companion to your Little Tikes' front yard swing set. It's the toy that shouts summer! The SandBox is made of strong, thick plastic and includes a slip-resistant floor. It features a convenient drain plug to keep play areas dry. It can even be connected with other products from the Lifetime collection to create a multi-game station!
Project Difficulty: Easy
Time to Build: 1-3 Hours
Materials:
- Cedar Boards
- Deck Screws
- Deck Screws
- Construction Adhesive
Tools Needed:
- Circular Saw
- Tape Measure
- Drill/Driver & Bits
- Hammer
- Clamps
Boat Sandpit
Turn your child's dream to sail their own boat come true. No batteries or tools are required for assembly, just hours of fun! The Boat Sandpit can be used on grass, carpet, and even sand. This Boat Sandpit is a great way to introduce the younger ones to the world of boats. A fun and educational toy that helps their imagination run wild and improves their hand-eye coordination by encouraging them to create different boats while having fun in the sun. Boat Sandpit for the kids includes a fixed resin top on which to draw pictures, a mesh bottom to stop them from becoming submerged, and a racetrack in the middle.
Project Difficulty: Easy
Time to Build: 1-3 Hours
Materials:
- Cedar Boards
- Deck Screws
- Deck Screws
- Construction Adhesive
Tools Needed:
- Circular Saw
- Tape Measure
- Drill/Driver & Bits
- Hammer
- Clamps
Conclusion
In this article, you will find a large collection of well-illustrated and easy-to-follow free DIY sandbox plans. Every single model was compiled using great care to provide build instructions that are easy to follow, have a video guide for even the more complicated boxes, and do not require any advanced carpentry skills. When building your sandbox make sure you use pressure-treated wood where possible as this is proven to be more resistant to the elements than pine or similar woods used in most cheap models.