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19 Free DIY Sandbox Plans You Can Build Today (with Pictures)
Pete Ortiz
Last updated:
A sandbox is typically a quick and easy build, but the amount of enjoyment your children will get out of it will be well worth the effort. Most of the time, learning how to build a sandbox can be done in a few hours and for less than a hundred dollars. Certainly, as plans get more elaborate and features increase, you will spend more time and money on the project. We put together these free sandbox plans for you to choose from. Some are more complicated than others, so be sure to read our notes about who should be taking on each individual project.
We start our list with this very simple and easy-to-build design offered by Lowes. This is an entirely free plan, probably because they want you to buy the supplies from them! If you are new to building and trying to make your backyard space more suitable for children, this sandbox is a perfect choice.
You can build this sandbox with the bench boards along the top or without. Lowes gives some recommendations for preparing the area where the sandbox will go and some suggestions for a cover as well. You will see as we move through our list, that a cover is an essential part of a sandbox for many reasons.
We love the bright colors on the Bob Vila Sandbox design. Indeed, you can paint any sandbox model that you build, but we like the design that this one has. Also, this step-by-step plan will help any level builder complete this project. With this plan, you will also get information on how to add the corner support benches and even how to add an umbrella to your sandbox. For a backyard with little shade, the umbrella will make a big difference, and it’s not a hard accessory to add.
If your child has a love-hate relationship with the sand, this is the perfect sandbox by Kaboom. We love the sturdy benches that will accommodate even the slightly older child. The folding lid makes this sandbox plan a complete option. The size of this box can be modified, but this project is a little more complicated than some of the others we have found for you. If this is your first attempt at a DIY project, you may want to look into a more straightforward option. However, following the guide Kaboom gives along with all of their pictures and instructions, you should end up with a sturdy and functional sandbox.
How can you not love this sandbox from HGTV? This completely shaded sandbox is, by far, one of our favorite options. There is so much room for kids to play comfortably and safely as well. The plan itself is laid out very well with a complete supplies and tool list. We liked that HGTV used a landscape fabric as the base of this sandbox. The landscape fabric helps to ensure proper drainage in your sandbox. Even with this cover, some water will get into the sand, and if it doesn’t drain properly, your sand will not last very long. The shade cover on this sandbox is just plywood painted, we do recommend adding a lid on the sand as it won’t protect from animals getting into your sand.
Next on our list is this super simple DIY sandbox by Kenarry. The best thing about this sandbox is that you don’t even need to make a cut! If you don’t have a saw or don’t want to get involved in cutting angles or intricate corner pieces, this is the sandbox for you. This sandbox uses landscape timbers and a weed barrier to make this a safe and quick build that your kids can help with. You can always add benches or umbrellas to this set if it helps make it more appealing, but it’s hard to say no to a project that won’t take you more than a few hours to complete.
When Creating My Happiness says this sandbox is an easy build, we believe them. The reasoning behind taking on this project was that those manufactured plastic sandboxes are just too small for kids to enjoy. We couldn’t agree more, and something like this bright pop of color in your yard will look so much nicer as well. The picture shown on this sandbox does not show any type of landscape barrier on the bottom, but we highly recommend putting one it. It will keep the weeds from growing up and still allow the sand to drain appropriately when needed. If your kids are growing out of that plastic sandbox, now is the time to build one of these.
This is a great looking sandbox with several great features from Young House Love. For starters, this box has a great top that will keep the sand dry and keep animals out. One of the downsides to an extensive cover is that it’s heavy, and storing it can be a pain. What Young House Love did here was they put the cover on a hinge so it can open and close with ease. If you think that this could be dangerous, don’t worry, they thought of that too. When the cover is in the upright position, it locks to the fence.
Young House Love put a landscape barrier down in this sandbox, and they ended up filling this with rocks instead of sand. We think lots of kids would love a box full of trucks and rocks to play with. When this box is closed, the top is nice looking, and they mulched and planted around the box as well.
8. Deluxe DIY Sandbox Tutorial from Small Friendly
Next on our list is this Deluxe Sandbox from Small and Friendly. This sandbox is nice if you want a complete option that opens and closes with its own cover. We like that when the cover is down, it can double as a seating area for the kids while they play in the sand. The only bad thing about this plan is that there are no pictures as you go through each step of the project. For experienced woodworkers, this won’t be a problem at all; however, if this is your first time trying one of these things, you may want to look into something that has pictures for each step of the process.
If you remember us saying that some of the sandboxes with benches and tops are more complicated, we found you one that is very user-friendly but still has these great features. The Sandbox with Bench & Lid by Construct 101 is a great option if you are new to building but want to create a more complicated sandbox. The Construct 101 plan is laid out well with simple and easy-to-follow step-by-step picture instructions.
If you want your kids to be able to play in the sand but not have to be sitting in the sand, this Sand Table by Mommy Needs Coffee could be a good option. The construction of this table is very easy to do. You simply need to make a stand with four legs that a bin can fit inside. What we like about this sand table is that you can change the contents of the container at any time. Want to make it a rock table, water bead table, water table, it will only take you a few minutes to do so. Of course, the downside is the size as this table will be best for younger children.
From Home Hardware comes this delightful sandbox with a genuine twist; it’s in the middle of a covered picnic table and benches! You’ll need moderate DIY skills and a decent range of tools to create this sandbox, but the plans are easy to follow, and the results are fantastic. Your kids can sit and relax rather than squat down or sit on their knees, and there’s enough room for at least four of them to play together. The slatted roof over this lovely sandbox picnic table is also perfect for protecting young ones from the sun.
12. Sandbox and Planter Combo from I Like to Make Stuff
For those with small children and a green thumb comes this delightful sandbox/planter combo from I Like to Make Stuff. Raised off the ground, the sandbox is high enough to give kids easy access while standing. All the instructions, tools, and materials needed are listed, making this a straightforward, relatively easy DIY project.
Sandboxes are traditionally low to the ground and uncovered. However, these sandbox plans from Shanty 2 Chic throw those old features out the window. The sand table is raised off the ground and features a convenient lid to keep the sand clean and dry. That makes this sandbox portable and able to fit almost anywhere, even on a small patio or porch. It can be constructed with minimal tools and beginner DIY skills.
For parents and kids who love all things nautical, these free DIY sandbox plans from Ana White are ideal. The website gives all the details, including a cut list, tool list, and detailed instructions with pictures. If you provide your email address, they will also send free, detailed plans that will help even more. The result is a charming sandbox that looks like a sailboat heading out to sea. Plus, the sail will provide protection from the sun’s UV rays.
Sometimes your kids want to play in the sand and do other stuff at the same time. That’s when these free DIY sandbox plans from Home-Dzine will come in very handy. When you lift the convenient lid, it reveals an activity center with a chalkboard, basketball net, and anything else you want to put there. The bench around the base gives the kids lots of space to sit, too, and it can all be protected from the elements by simply folding down the lid. It’s a low-difficulty DIY project but requires a moderate range of tools.
16. Covered Sandbox with Shade Canopy from Simply Easy DIY
Sandboxes can become very hot in the summer. That problem is solved with this fantastic covered sandbox from Simply Easy DIY. As the name suggests, this rather traditional sandbox has a cover to keep the sand inside clean. The shade canopy adds a layer of UV protection, which is essential if you live where the sun beats down hot and heavy. As with the other free DIY sandbox plans on our list, this one has all the necessary instructions. They also have a video tutorial on YouTube.
This basic DIY sandbox from How to Specialist is for anyone who wants a sandbox for their kids but doesn’t have the time or a deep skillset to make a fancy one. For this sandbox, all you need are some basic tools, basic DIY skills, and a brief amount of time. When you’re done, you’ll get a standard but attractive sandbox that will delight the average toddler and keep them happily playing for many hours.
If you have bigger kids, a sandbox will probably be very low on their list of things to play with. On the other hand, if you use these free DIY plans to make a sand and water play table, your older kids will flock around it! Depending on what they want, this table play table can either use sand or water on its fun ramps and passageways. Filling, transferring, pouring, and watching the sand and water move around, aided by gravity, is a real treat, too! Even the most jaded kids will have a blast, and you can easily change it from water to sand.
Are you looking for DIY sandbox plans for a massive sandbox? These plans from Ana White fit the bill perfectly! Not only will they show you how to build a big sandbox, but it’s also covered completely, too! It’s 6 feet 6 inches square and is big enough for six to 10 toddlers! Not only will the kids have plenty of room to play, but since this sandbox is covered, they’ll be safe from the sun’s damaging rays.
Conclusion
The majority of the free DIY sandbox plans that we came up with only require a few tools, some wood, and some screws so learning how to build a sandbox is easier than ever. Some more complicated models also had hinges or wheels but most of these should cost less than $200 and be completed in a day or less. The great thing about sandboxes is that although you will have to replace the sand from time to time, the actual box should last for quite some time.
Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. Over the years, he has developed a keen interest in a wide variety of DIY projects around the home. Fascinated by all sort of tools, Pete loves reading and writing about all the latest gadgets and accessories that hit the market. His other interests include astronomy, hiking, and fishing.
As the founder of House Grail, Pete's primary goal is to help consumers make educated decisions about DIY projects at home, in the garage, and in the garden.
