I’m looking for some Ideas for builing a quality sandbox that would have a cover, and a kids swing set/tower/slide. I’d like to use a water resistant (real or man made) wood. What could for the fasteners and engineered brackets, and a finish that is safe for use around children?
Thanks in advance for the help, turtleboy
Replies
I built my kids box out of old 6 by 6 cedar fence posts. They are wide enough to sit on and deep enough to hold lots of sand. Instead of a cover I used an old box spring frame covered with chicken wire; lets the rain rinse the sand (any kid will tell you wet snad is better than dry) and keeps the cats out.
Make the sand box big. If one kid is building roads and the other castles, they both need plots of space.
I'm a believer in unfinished clear fir or cedar. It will last longer than the kids will use the play set for, zero maintainence, weathers fine. As soon as you finish it it becomes like a boat, for it to look good you have to do it annually. It's not furniture and the kids don't care
Edited 8/23/2002 12:34:03 AM ET by Geoff Murray
Thanks for the info, the old box spring sounds like a good idea.
Turtleboy
Norm did a nice one on "The New Yankee Workshop" once. Might be worth trying to find the plan on the PBS website.............
If you don?t think every day is a good day, just try missing one.
Thanks for the info, I'll have to check out Norms work on the web.
Turtleboy
One tidbit of advice......DON'T use CCA lumber...Its poison. IMHO I think you could use just simple pine. It'd last several years and is cheap. How long will you need it for anyway? If for only 3-4-5 years then theres no problem. USe a good preservative on the areas that contact the ground...If you want it to last longer then use an exterior paint on the rest if you want. Galvanized carrage bolts for fasteners. From what I can tell........most people either give these things away or toss em' when their kids outgrow them anyway.
BE well
Namaste'
Andy
It's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Just have a dump-truck dump a couple-two-three yards in a big pile!
The kids will have more fun with it this way!
You will not keep them from getting sand in every orifice of thier little bodies.
You will not always put the cover back on. (they certainly won't)
You will not keep all the sand in one spot.
I never played in a sandbox with a cover and I am completely norbal.
Mr TDo not try this at home!
I am a trained professional!
>> ... I am completely nor[m]al.
Where'd you get that outlandish notion?
I like T's idea.
The grandkids seldom play in their 'square' sandbox at home, when over here it's down to the sandpile left over from drilling a well and turn on the water (well with no pressure puts out 28 GPM) - they love building dams, etc. with no care about spreading sand 'outside the box'
Took them (7, 4, 2 YO) to look at a construction site up the hill last weekend 'cause they wanted to look in the houses - they never got past a 10 yard pile of sand and pea gravel - loved sliding down, had to drag them away after an hour.
Seriously, consider Mr T's advice! (assuming you have the space)