DIY Wooden Sandbox With Seating
Build this easy wooden sandbox with these simple build plans
This project is sponsored by HART Tools, see our policies here
My first thoughts when I think about a sandbox is that plastic green turtle kind.
You know the one that lasts one summer because the lid doesn’t really fit & can only fit one child at a time.
The problem is that as much as I dislike those sandboxes, Eli is obsessed with playing in the sand.
So I decided that neither of us should have to compromise & I would build him one instead!
DIY Wooden Sandbox
Supplies:
- (8) 1x6x8 Boards
- (1) 2x4x8
- (1) 1x6x6
- (18) Brackets
- Gardening Fabric
- Sand
- Stain
Tools:
- Miter Saw
- Drill
- Level
- Staple Gun
DIY Sandbox Build
We teamed up with HART Tools to build a super simple sandbox that requires just a few of my favorite HART tools!
For this sandbox I thought it would be so cool if I could build it around this beautiful tree in the front yard.
Even if you are not building it around a tree though, the building principles of this octagon sandbox will be the same!
Prepping The Area/Materials
1. First, cut (8) 1x6x8 boards in half using a miter saw.
2. Once they were all cut, I painted them using the same Behr stain paint as I used on our deck .
3. I also decided to paint my brackets black using spray paint.
4. While everything was drying we cleaned & leveled the ground around the tree.
This is where a couple of large levels come in handy!
Building The First Layer
5. Finally it’s time to attach the boards.
I used my Hart drill & exterior screws to attach the bottom layer boards together with the brackets.
The brackets are attached to the inside ends of each board.
6. Once the entire first layer was built, we used a measuring tape to ensure it was centered around the tree.
7. Now that the first layer is built
This is the only staple gun that does not hurt my hands, I used it the first time when I built Eli’s new toddler bed & it was love at first use!
We placed the sandbags on top of the fabric to keep it in place until we were ready to pour the sand.
Building The Second Layer
8. Once the fabric was attached, we started piecing together the second layer.
The second layer is attached the same way using the brackets on the inside of two boards to connect them together.
Next, I attached the two layers together with the last of the brackets.
Adding Seating
Now it’s time to add seating!
9. The seats are supported by 2×4’s, they are cut to the height of the sandbox.
We attached the 2×4 pieces to the inside of two of the corners using wood screws.
10. Next, we added a short 1×6 board to the top of the 2×4’s.
This is the perfect size for a small little seat without taking away too much sandbox room!
11. Finally, time to add the sand!
This has got to be the easiest sandbox ever built, & if I don’t say so myself… the cutest!
I love that Eli has a fun spot to play & it adds to the ascetics of our front yard.
The best part is this DIY sandbox takes only a few HART tools, one 20V battery, & a day to complete!
Let me know what you think of our new sandbox & if you HART it as much as we do 😉
great sand box but how are you going to keep the cats from using it for their own potty box…that is what happens if you don’t have a way to cover up when not using …sorry about telling you this but i am old and have had the problem years and years ago…i didn’t have any but the neighbors did…good luck ….it turned out so great and looks great….
Hi Madeline! We have 3 large dogs who secure the property so no cats are making their way to our sandbox but you could always put a plastic cover over it if you do have cats!