How to Build a Sandpit

A sandpit is a great way to provide your children with a play area that you can monitor whilst they enjoy hours of activities. It is also a step‐by‐step project that y ou can complete together with your children.

STEP 1. CHOOSE YOUR SITE

Choose the site for your sand pit, taking into consideration trees and weather conditions, in particular exposure to sun. Don’t build near a fruit tree such as a plum tree or you will have another job, cleaning the sand pit of rotten fruit.

STEP 2. EXCAVATION

Once the size and position of the pit is determined, start to excavate the selected area to about 200mm below the grass or finished sand level. You can use the top layer of grass to repair bare spots in the lawn, or stack it upside down in the compost.

Dig out the dark coloured top soil and add it to compost or scatter in the garden. Prepare a flat bed for the sand to sit on. If your sub soil is clay or hardpan you may face some drainage problems. To overcome this install a perforated drainage pipe, drain tile or a deep hole in the middle of the pit and then cover with crushed rock, stones or coarse gravel and replace soil.

STEP 3. LAY OUT YOUR SLEEPERS

Lay out your timber sleepers once they have been cut to your chosen measurements. This can be done by simply using a hand saw or circular saw. It’s a good idea to get some help from a friend to lay out the sleepers as they are heavy. Check that they are a suitable length, level and then fasten together using galvanized nails or spikes. If they are raised well above ground level, use 50 x 50mm pegs every half a metre to hold the panels in place.

STEP 4. FILLING THE PIT

Fill the pit with sand. Australian Native Landscapes sell sand in 20kg bags. If you don’t have a vehicle or trailer suitable to transport your required load, enquire about our home delivery services. You may choose to lay a plastic sheet to reduce weed growth.

SAFETY

• Always keep tools and materials away from children.
• Read the instruction before beginning the project.
• Do not burn timber off cuts.
• Wear an approved dust mask when cutting or sanding timber