Sandbox with bench seats

I think this should have been my first project. My kids love it and will spend long periods of time without demanding anything of me - which means that I can work right there on my other projects! I'd have finished that play house I want to make by now if I had just thought of making this first :)

This is a very easy build and it is very rewarding because it works so well and looks so nice. I used 2x8's instead of 1x8s on the sides because I had a bunch laying around. I would definitely recommend doing that as it is very strong this way. If you use 2x8's be sure to make the short sides a bit shorter to make up for the extra width. I had to make it exactly 2 inches shorter. Also, the arm rests are a bit short because it seems that the 1/2 inch spacing was not taken into account when calculating the length in the directions. I wish I had seen that and made them 1/2 inch longer so the bench back could not move forward as much when in the seat position.

If I had had childcare this would have been a very quick project, not counting the staining. As it is, I am embarrassed to say how long it took to build this. I think I was working on it for two weeks.

I spent more then I originally thought I would but it was still reasonable. The sand cost about $36. It is pictured with 7 1/2cu. ft. bags of sand. I bought 10 so I went ahead and added the other three bags but it is definitly too much sand. I have to dig out for the arm rests to shut the lid. So if you go with 8 bags it should be perfect.
Total cost:
Hinges: 8 @ $2.12 = $17
1x4 6 @ $2.42 = $14.50
Handles: 2 @ $2.00 = $4.00
Stain = $17
2x4 = $4.00
2x8 = Free
Total: $56.50