$30 Cedar Fence Picket Sand Box

Difficulty

Beginner Projects

Build your own cedar sandbox for about $30! The secret? Use cedar fence pickets. This beginner friendly plan has minimal cuts and is very easy to assemble! Free plans by Ana-White.com

Why I Built this Sandbox

My kids have been digging in the gravel around our house, so I've been wanting to build them a sandbox. But I know a sandbox is only played with for about 5 years - so I didn't want to spend a ton of money (or buy a plastic one that ends up in a landfill). But I still wanted something nice and durable, and preferably cedar to keep spiders away.

Cedar Sandbox Features

About $30 in materials
Cedar sides and top are durable and a good choice for sandboxes
Large size easily holds 2-4 children at once
Easy to build design with minimal cuts and scraps
Only need a drill and circular saw to build
Biodegradeable - will go back to nature and not end up in a landfill

How I Built It

We did a video of this sandbox build for your convenience. Please take a minute to watch.

Free Sandbox Plans

The free plans for this sandbox are below. Thanks so much for using our plans, we appreciate you!

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$30 Cedar Fence Picket Sand Box

Dimensions

About 6' x 6' x 1' deep

Preparation

Shopping List

10 - 5-1/2" wide x 6 foot long cedar fence pickets (preferably NOT dogeared, but can be)
1 - 2x4 @ 8 foot or 92-5/8" stud length
60 - 1-1/4" self tapping exterior wood screws (look for the star bit ones)

Cut List

8 - 2x4 @ 11"

The cedar fence pickets do not need to be cut if they are NOT dogeared. If dogeared, simply cut all the cedar fence pickets to the same length (ie 71").

Tools

General Instructions

Sand the cedar fence pickets first smooth, to prevent any splinters.

Instructions

Step 1

Lay two 2x4s down on a flat level surface. Attach two cedar fence pickets to the top with 1-1/4" screws.

Build two the same.

Step 2

Attach two cedar fence pickets to each side to create the sandbox shape.

Step 3

Find the center of the sides attached in step 2. Attach 2x4 in the center with screws, with the narrower side of the 2x4 being screwed to the side (orientation same as the corner 2x4s).