Calculators / Kids' play
How much sand for a sandbox?
Put in the size and how deep you want the sand. You get the bags of play sand, and a cut list to build the box.
Updated · How we check our numbers
Your sandbox
48 bags of play sand
A 6 × 6 ft sandbox 8 in deep takes about 24 cu ft of sand. Walls are one 2x12 high. Buy 4 × 2x12 at 8 ft, 1 × 4x4 at 8 ft, 4 × 2x6 at 8 ft.
- Sand
- 48 bags24 cu ft, 50 lb each
- Weight
- 2,400 lb
- Wall height
- 11¼ in
- Fabric
- 49 sq ft
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Estimate for planning only, not professional advice. Check the manufacturer’s instructions, your local code and a licensed professional before you buy, build or install. Use at your own risk. Terms.
sand = 6 × 6 ft × 8 in ÷ 12 = 24 cu ft
bags = 24 ÷ 0.5 cu ft (Sakrete 50 lb) = 48, about 2,400 lb
walls = 2x12 = 11¼ in, at least 8 in of sand + 2 in
2x12: 4 boards at 8 ft
4x4: 1 boards at 8 ft
2x6: 4 boards at 8 ft
Cut list
PS 20 sizes- 2 × long walls2x12 at 72 in2x12
- 2 × short walls2x12 at 69 in2x12
- 4 × corner posts4x4 at 11¼ in4x4
- 2 × seat cap, long sides2x6 at 76 in2x6
- 2 × seat cap, short sides2x6 at 65 in2x6
Fasten walls to the corner posts with 3 in exterior screws.
The CDC says to keep sandboxes covered when not in use: cats and raccoons use open ones as a litter box, and both carry parasites that can make children sick.
See sandbox covers on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Lay 49 sq ft of landscape fabric under it so the sand drains but weeds and worms stay out. Not plastic: rain has to get out.
Somewhere with afternoon shade, and away from the swings so kids don't walk through the swing path.
Buy bags labeled play sand. It's washed and screened, but it's still mostly crystalline silica, so dampen it if it gets dusty.
Cedar, or pressure-treated lumber made for home use (not CCA, which ended for play equipment in 2003). Sand the cap smooth.
How we work it out
sand (cu ft) = length × width × depth (in) ÷ 12
A 50 lb bag of Sakrete play sand covers 6 sq ft an inch deep, half a cubic foot, so Sakrete says to divide the volume by 0.5. A 6 × 6 ft box filled 8 in deep takes 24 cu ft: 48 bags, 2,400 lb.
The box. We pick the shortest wall that leaves 2 in above the sand: a 2x8 (7 1/4 in), 2x10 (9 1/4) or 2x12 (11 1/4), or two stacked, screwed to 4x4 corner posts. A 2x6 cap makes a seat. Landscape fabric underneath lets rain drain out.
Cover it. The CDC says to keep sandboxes covered when not in use, because cats and raccoons use them as latrines. CPSC says to keep them away from swings.
Where the numbers come from
Guides
Kids' play
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