How to Make a DIY Sandbox

Earth day is everyday in my book and today we’re leanring how to make a DIY sandbox out of a recycled tire and a door knob. This project is also a check off of the ol’ to do list. (Maxwell needed a sandbox.)

Here’s what you need to make a tire sandbox

• A tire (I used a 22 inch diameter tire.)
• Treated plywood
• A circular saw
• Drill and screws
• A compass (Or my DIY version that includes a thumb tack, sting, and pencil.)
• Door knob (We had an old one hanging out in our garage.)
• Chalkboard paint
• Chalk
• Sandbox sand
• Dremel (to cut off part of the door knob.)

How to make a DIY tire sandbox

The DIY sandbox was one of those if you give a mouse a cookie projects that inspired us to get our backyard well, usable. And more kid friendly. (We did this project at the same time we did the vertical planter and rocks!) Ultimately, we decided to give the mud pit of a backyard a proper makeover.

Step 1- Draw a circle

First, determine how big of a circle you need for the base of your sandbox by measuring the tire’s diameter. Then, draw the right size circle onto your wood and cut it out with the saw. The DIY compass is super simple. Just measure a piece of string 2 inches longer than you actually need it and tie one end to the thumbtack and one end to the pencil. Voila.

Step 2- Cut out circle

Next, use a circular saw to cut out the circle. After you circle is cut, you will need to sand the edges down to make it smooth. Oh and make sure your circle fits on the bottom nicely!

Step 3- Attach the bottom

Next, use a drill to attach the wood circle with every inch or two. Andy drilled in screws about every inch. (I don’t think that’s necessary!)

Step 4- Make a top for the DIY sandbox

After the bottom is cut out, you will need to do the same thing for the top of the sandbox. You can skip this step if your sandbox is under cover. But, we have a lot of stray cats that hang out in our backyard so we are attempting to avoid our sandbox turning into a litter box.

Step 5- Attach a handle

After you sand and paint the top of the sandbox with chalkboard paint, just screw in the door knob! Check out this post if you need deets about painting and conditioning chalkboard paint. Andy used the Dremel to cut the 2 long prongs off of the door knob so that he could attach it to the top of the sandbox.

And here’s what Max thinks about his new to him DIY sandbox! Just a little sand between the fingers and the toes. He’s obsessed.

If you enjoyed this up-cycling article, don’t miss:

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