I can't remember how I ended up on Ana White's website, but I did, and from there I found this. Don't you just love it? At any rate, the sandbox in the picture was adapted from a plan on the site, Sandbox, that was contributed by Lady Goats, another fabulous DIY blog.
However, I couldn't find instructions on either site for the smaller sandbox, which is what I wanted to make for Frugal Baby. It's the perfect size for a small child, and it has both a lid and a seat!
So I proceeded to take the original plan, and put it to work.
The plan called for 2 1x8x8s, 6 1x4x8s, 1 2x4x8, a handle, and 4 sets of hinges. So I bought 1 1x8x8, 3 1x4x8s, 1 2x4x8, a handle, and 4 sets of hinges. I followed the original cut list with a couple of exceptions. I cut the 1x8x8 at 23.75" instead of 47.5", and 23" instead of 46"
And then I sanded the edges. :]
Look! I got a visitor! Frugal Grandmama brought Frugal Baby out to see me. :]
Aww, so sweet. She brought me a present! "Thank you, Mommy!"
I can't for the life of me get this pictures to orient correctly, so here is Frugal Baby, sideways. She loves her sandbox!! Now we just have to paint it!
Final size, 2' by 2', depth, 8".
Cost Breakdown:
| Hinges | 4 | 1.39 | 5.56 |
| 1x8 | 1 | 4.93 | 4.93 |
| 1x4 | 1.5 | 2.97 | 4.455 |
| 2x4 | 1 | 2.17 | 2.17 |
| Handle | 1 | 2 | 2 |
How does this compare to store bought? I couldn't find any sandboxes this size, but a quick google search revealed several options for buying a wooden 4' by 4' sandbox were between $100-$200. So if you divide that for a sandbox half that size, it would be $50-$100. Cost savings? $30.88 - $80.8.
So go out and enjoy the weather, go out and DIY!
Good night and God Bless.
Frugal Mama
