Sandpit with cover under existing deck

[Megasaurus]

We are quite limited for space in our outdoor area/backyard, so I built a sandpit under our existing deck for our toddler to play in. The cover is made from the decking wood and comes off in 3 pieces to minimise the weight of each. Has been a hit with our little one! 

Materials

Existing Merbau decking for cover/lid

New Merbau decking for the base of the sandpit Merbau pre oiled decking 140mm x 19mm random lengths

Sandpit frame made with garden/playground safe treated pine sleepers Sienna Micropro treated pine sleepers 

Landscaping fabric Grunt 1m x 10m landscaping fabric  

Sand sand and more sand! Play Sand 20kg bags  

Tools

Measuring tape

Ryobi jigsaw

Ryobi circular saw

Ryobi reciprocating saw

Bosch drill and impact driver

Scissors

Steps

Step 1

Measured out the area we wanted the sandpit to be - ended up being roughly 1.2m × 1.2m

Unassembled the deck in that area

Used circular saw to cut the deck into the appropriately sized pieces

Reinstalled the deck outside of where the sandpit was to go

Step 2

Dug out a hole under the deck deep enough to allow 200mm high sleepers to be dropped in to make the frame

Step 3

Built the sandpit frame out of H4 sienna micropro treated pine sleepers and merbau decking panels screwed into the two end sleepers for the base

Dropped the pre assembled frame into the hole 

Step 4

Lined the inside of the frame with landscaping fabric to allow water to drain out into the ground around the sandpit whilst not losing all of the sand

Filled the sandpit with sand!

Step 5

Using the pre cut deck pieces from step 1, I made a cover for the sandpit in 3 pieces so they weren't too heavy. I attached a small chain to the middle piece to allow easy lifting

Step 6

All done! The sandpit cover can be taken off easily when we want to use it and covered up when we want more space on the deck. 

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Megasaurus. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for sharing your project.

That's an absolutely wonderful idea! I've seen other project involving storage under a deck with access panels, or reclining chairs that pull up from the decking, but this is a first for me. 

You've nailed the brief here, and I trust your kids love their new play area—such a simple solution for covering it up when you want to use the deck for other purposes.

Well done, and many thanks for sharing.

Mitchell
 

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @Megasaurus 

Now thats a nice idea and a great implentation! Ive seen covered pools ect or even spas but somehow I hadnt thought of a sandpit idea.

Great work and love the pics!

Dave