What Type Of Wood For Child’s Sandbox?

Timothy — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:28:15 +0000

My husband wants to make a sandbox for our young children. What type of wood should he use? I know it shouldnt be treated as that contains arsenic; but someone else told me to use cedar…and then a carperter told me cedar splinters are very hazardous. I want to make sure this sandbox is safe. Please help me help my husband!
Any other tips for making a sandbox?
THANK YOU!!!

Learning How to Build a Sandbox

Timothy — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:54:03 +0000

Children have always loved sandboxes. You probably have played in one when you were young. A sandbox offers a lot of fun. In fact, there is practically no end to the excitement that this small box offers. Children can do water battles. They can create castles. If you have children you are probably wondering how to build a sandbox.
Learning how to build a sandbox is easy, but actually building it and finding the right location for it requires careful consideration. You need to choose the right spot if you want to maximize all that it has to offer. You have to consider three things – fun, safety and accessories when you are learning how to build a sandbox.
Finding the Perfect Location
When looking for ways on how to build a sandbox, you should make a note of suggestions on how to choose the right location as well. Making a sandbox does not end with hammering the nails in place. Its location should be carefully thought of. People with large yards are lucky because they have more options. They can also create a larger sandbox.
If you have a smaller yard, this would require more creativity from you. Of course, aside from the space, there are other things that you have to consider as well. For instance, you may want to place it on a spot that will not expose your child to too much sun. A spot under the tree may not really be a good idea in the long run. The most important thing that you have to consider is the visibility of the sandbox. It should be placed where you would be able to easily see your kids.
How to Build a Sandbox
Once you know where to place your sandbox, you can then direct your attention to laying out the shape of the box. Remember, much of the space of the box will be occupied by sand, so you need to take this into consideration when laying out the plan. Also, you might want to consider using full boards because this would save you cutting hours. Once you have laid out the box, you can then turn to digging a hole about a foot deep. This would help keep the sandbox in place. Make the hole as level as possible.
When creating the box, you can start with the side wall boards. These walls will be comprised of 10 to 12-inch wide boards that are 1 inch thick. You can start with the first two boards. You need to create a 90 degree angle with these boards. They will form the first layer of the box. You can then cut two blocks of wood as corner attachments. You need to have eight of this when you are finished. Slight overlapping of one set over the other is fine. You can then screw these attachments to the board and then later on to each other.
You can then lay this layer on top of the hole you dug and then you can start with the walls of the box. Once you are finished with the walls’ first layer, you can then work on the second layer. When you are finished with the walls, you can then pour in sands. However, you should opt for the river sand, not the construction sand. The former is cleaner and finer.
Now, you don’t have to wonder how to build a sandbox for your children. In fact, why don’t you go out and get those tools and start building the sandbox. Your children will surely love it as much as you did when you were a kid yourself.

John Grant is a the author for a how to site where he is writing articles about how to build a sandbox.

Sandbox » making a sandbox

What Type Of Wood For Child’s Sandbox?

Learning How to Build a Sandbox