Ready for the next chapter of our sandbox project? If you weren’t, one little person certainly was—her name rhymes with Clara.
Here’s where we left off: the box was built (more on that here) and waiting for sand, but it needed a cover first.
We reviewed a number of DIY sandbox covers (including great examples from Dana Made It, Small & Friendly, Modern Parents Messy Kids, and Dover Projects) and made a short list of priorities for our cover:
- Block natural debris (leaves, acorns) and animal mess (neighborhood cats, birds).
- Keep most water out while not needing to be fully airtight.
- Be sturdy and durable—no thin tarps or plastic that will warp; wood felt like the best choice.
- Not be too heavy—if the cover is a burden to lift, it won’t get used.
Our solution was a two-piece wooden cover built from plywood sheathed in a framed border of 1 x 8 boards. Two plywood sheets gave us the cheapest way to cover the roughly 5 x 5 ft opening, while the framing reduced the plywood’s tendency to warp and gave the cover a finished look to match the patio.
To keep the overall weight manageable, we built the cover in two interlocking halves. I attached the frame pieces with a Kreg jig, then screwed the plywood to the underside of each frame. I also added a narrow middle board to help hide the seam where the two halves meet—more on that in a bit. Fun fact: one frame ended up looking like a “C” for Clara.
Both halves were stained with Behr waterproof deck stain in “Natural,” the same finish used on the sandbox itself. The finish was a bit streaky, but this is a play area—not a showpiece—so we let it be. The middle board that hangs off the side covers the seam and helps the two halves align neatly.
Rather than set the cover loose on top of the box each time, I attached heavy-duty hinges so the panels swing open and don’t need to be lifted off. That way, when Clara wants to play, we don’t have to carry the whole thing.
The other half of each hinge is fastened directly to the top edge of the sandbox. The hinges rotate beyond 90 degrees so the cover can rest securely against the fence instead of being suspended upright, which helps prevent it from accidentally closing.
We added a matching handle on each panel for easy grabbing—hardware really does make DIY projects look finished and professional.
Here’s the cover in place and attached. The tree shadows make it a little tough to see detail, so I took some later photos as the sun set for a clearer view.
We tested how water behaves on the panels. Small rains have drained through a few seams and cracks without pooling heavily. If heavier storms cause issues, we’ll add a few discreet drainage holes and report back.
Each side swings open to reveal the sandbox underneath.
Because child safety was top of mind, we added a simple safety latch system so the cover can’t fall closed on Clara. The latch consists of an eye-hook screwed into the underside of the cover with a short chain and carabiner. When the cover is propped against the fence, the chain hooks over a post-mounted hook to lock it in the open position.
These fittings are surprisingly sturdy; we tested them with a good tug to be sure the cover won’t move when locked open. With the hinges, handles, and safety hardware in place, the cover feels secure and convenient to use.
Next came the sand. Even though we had a few bags leftover from the previous year, I picked up about 15 more to get a good depth so Clara could dig and build without immediately hitting the bottom.
I poured in the first bag—our “inaugural sand”—then kept stacking bags until the box felt right. Clara waited patiently with her bucket and shovel, ready for the signal.
After about 20 bags, we gave Clara the go-ahead, and the sandbox was officially open for play.
She loves it—and so do we. The location on the fenced patio is ideal: contained and shaded most of the day, allowing us to keep an eye on her while getting a little work done nearby.
I’ll admit the project ended up being a bit more complex and a little pricier than I expected—wood and play sand add up—but after comparing prices on ready-made wooden sandboxes (many of which don’t include covers), this DIY version felt worth it. Sandboxes also rarely include sand, so that’s an added cost to consider. Our budget breakdown:
- Wood for 5 x 5′ box: $17
- Wood for 5 x 5′ cover: $38
- Stain: $22
- Weed block: $0 (leftover)
- Hinges, handles & safety hardware: $21
- Sand: $48 (some from leftover bags)
- TOTAL: $146
Clara digging happily for hours: priceless. And that closes this two-part sandbox saga…or does it? We had a small surprise that led to a little sandbox remix. More on that tomorrow after we edit photos and write the next post—who knew a simple sandbox could turn into a trilogy?
To read The Sandbox Chronicles in full, see Part 1 (building the base) and Part 3 (the remix where we swap sand for pea gravel for safety).