Many people can think back to their childhood days and remember hours upon hours sitting outside playing in their sandbox. With the garden hose trickling, the sand could be formed into castles, houses, or anything the mind imagined by using plastic buckets, and some of mom's kitchen utensils. This was good old-fashioned fun! The kid in the neighborhood that had a sandbox was something special. On Saturday mornings, friends would gather around, each bringing their own secret tool to build the biggest and best castle of all! Ah, those were the days.
Well, kids today have not changed. In fact, most kids would also find hours of enjoyment in their own sandbox. This would provide the perfect outdoor activity, away from the computer, television, or video games. Building a brick sandbox is not as difficult as it might sound and you can be sure you will be the hero of your child's friends once complete.
Start by getting all your tools together. You will need a 2-foot or 3-foot hand level, Brick Chisel, Hand Level, Mason's String, Wooden Screed Board, and Wooden Tamper. Purchase your materials from your local hardware or home improvement store. These include a 240 Solid Brick Unit, 3 3/4" x 2 1/4" x 8", or 4" x 8" by 1 5/8", five cubic feed of damp, loose sand, 1 1/4 cubic feet of cement, and galvanized nails. Additionally, you will need to purchase 5/8" exterior grade, rough sawn plywood siding that has been coated with a preservative, measuring as:
- Four lengths of 20" x 55 3/8"
- Four lengths of 2" x 2" x 7'
- Four lengths of 1" x 4" x 9'
- Two lengths of 1" x 3" x 10'
Also have a broom, garden hose, garden rake, shovel, and wheelbarrow handy.
A brick sandbox in your backyard will give your children a clean place to have fun, and is not particularly difficult to construct
Dig an excavation for the sandbox as indicated in the sketch and install the wooden frame. Fill the sandbox with sand and surround with a 1 x 4 edging as indicated. Spread a dry mixture of 3 parts sand to 1 part cement over the ground area around the sandbox, and tamp and grade as necessary to achieve a smooth, even surface. Place solid brick units directly upon this cushion base.
Upon completion of the sandbox, sweep clean sand into cracks between the brick units. Clean with a gentle spray from the garden hose.
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