Large Covered Sandbox

Difficulty

Beginner

About Project

Provide endless hours of play under shade with this easy to build sandbox. Featuring a large play area and canopy, this sandbox will bring all the fun of the beach to your back yard.

Dimensions

78" x 78" x 60"

Preparation

Shopping List

4 – 2×8 Boards (8′ Length)

4 – 1×3 Boards (8′ Length)

4 – 2×2 Boards (8′ Length)

4 – 1×4 Boards (8′ Length)

Common Materials

2 inch screws

2 1/2 inch screws

3 inch screws

1-1/4" Pocket Hole Screws

2-1/2" Pocket Hole Screws

Elmer's Wood Glue

Elmer's Wood Filler

120 grit sandpaper

primer

wood conditioner

paint

paint brush

Cut List

2 – 2×8 Boards @ 76″ (Sandbox Sides)

2 – 2×8 Boards @ 73″ (Sandbox Sides)

2 – 1×3 Boards @ 73″ (Top Trim)

2 – 1×3 Boards @ 78″ (Top Trim)

4 – 2×2 Boards @ 67 1/2″ (Canopy Posts)

2 – 1×4 Boards @ 73″ (Canopy Sides)

2 – 1×4 Boards @ 74 1/2″ (Canopy Sides)

4 – 1×4 @ 5 3/4″ (Corner Bracing for Canopy Top, ends mitered at 45 degrees)

Tools

General Instructions

General Instructions. Cut your boards and sand and paint as desired, sealing all edges with an exterior sealant. Make sure the finish is appropriate for child use. As you build, check for square after each step. Also check for level. Predrill and countersink your screws. Use necessary safety precautions and equipment.

Instructions

Step 1

Dig. That’s right. Dig. Rake, whatever you need to do, create a level surface for your sandbox. Then build the sandbox as shown above, using 3″ screws to fasten the corners. Predrill and countersink your screw holes. Level the sandbox by using rocks as shims or digging down high points.

Step 2

Trim. Fasten the top trim to the LONGER sides, as shown above. Use the 2″ screws. Keep inside edges flush.

Step 3

Trim. Finish the trim, as shown above, screwing in place using 2″ screws. Notice how this trim overlaps the joint on the sandbox sides? Make sure you fasten to both sides of the sandbox sides to reinforce the joint.

Step 4

Canopy Posts. The canopy posts actually act as corner blocking to strengthen your corners. Be sure to screw the corners to both pieces of the sides, two screws per side, for a total of 8 screws per corner.