Almost every child enjoys playing in a sandbox. If you have children at home, but don't have a sandbox in your yard, consider putting one in. They are inexpensive and easy to build, and your kids will have hours of fun in it all summer long. Like any other project, when you begin building a sandbox, planning is key. There are a number of things you'll want to consider, such as size, location, and budget. We'll address each of these topics separately.

Size:

Determining the size of sandbox you want to build will be one of your first steps in planning the project. How many children will be using it? If you have just one child, a four foot square area will do. As a general rule of thumb, for each additional child using the sandbox, increase each side by one or two more feet. So for two children, build it six foot square, for three children, build it eight foot square, and so on. Remember, if you build too small of a sandbox, you may end up with excess sand and toys strewn out across your whole lawn, which can become a real mess.

Location:

The next consideration is location. Look around your yard for a shady spot that is somewhat out of the way. A shady location will mean that the kids can play for hours without concern of sunburn, and a somewhat removed location will mean that you and your family won't be constantly walking around the sandbox or tripping over it. If you place the sandbox under a tree, however, you may want to design it with a cover to keep out leaves, twigs, and other debris that may fall. A cover is also helpful for keeping out animals such as cats and dogs that may try to use it as a litter box.

Budget:

Finally, you'll need to consider what materials you're going to use, and this is where your budget really comes into play. What will you construct the sides from? Will your sandbox have an open bottom, or will it be totally enclosed? Wood is a very common material choice because it's inexpensive and readily available. Wood can also be painted or stained as desired. A big downside to wood, however, is that will break down and decay over time. For a more durable and longer-lasting sandbox, consider using a plastic composite material such as composite decking or resin 2x4's. There are also many kits on the market that allow you to create sandboxes of almost limitless shapes and sizes, and that go together very quickly. While a kit may cost you a little more initially, it will save you a significant amount of time, and possibly a lot of frustration, too. Kits can turn a two or three day project into an afternoon project.

Building a sandbox is not a huge investment in money, and depending on whether you build it from scratch or use a kit, it doesn't have to be a big investment in time, either. But you do want it to stand up to the test of time while your kids are young enough to enjoy it. So take an hour to do a little pre-planning before starting your project, and it will pay off in the long run. With a little time and energy, you'll create a finished product that your children will enjoy for years to come.