Large sand pit

[ultimatehandyman]

I started to make this sand pit yesterday at 1pm using tantalised railway sleepers with a mate, just finished it this afternoon.

Getting the sleepers off the roof rack on my own was a challenge, although it was easier the next day when my next door neighbour gave me a lift off with them

Before it was finished the daughter was playing in it

Not finished yet, I have some screw holes on the top to sand down and stain then make some kind of removable cover for it (got a tarpaulin for the short term)

It's got 34 bags of play sand in it so far (hopefully this will be enough)

[big-all]

you can get playground sand from a builders merchant about 1/10th the price off the little bags

[transitboy]

She will enjoy that mate. I did one for a play group last year Chez. I got in touch with these people, to check I was doing it right and they was very helpful.http://www.rospa.com/leisuresafety/advi ... -play.aspx

[Chop]

Nice job Chez, that's bound to provide hours of entertainment.

Be sure to let the kids have a go now and again..

[big-all]

you can get playground sand from a builders merchant about 1/10th the price off the little bags

Could not get it around here in time.

Sourcing materials is difficult and time consuming, B&Q did not have enough sand at their Blackburn branch so I had to go to Bolton as well. I originally wanted a ton bag but finding places that could deliver it was difficult.

[Wes]

Looks well Chez Bet them sleepers were heavy

Thunder storms tomorrow apparently...Don't know if that has an relevance towards the sand pit...Is sand waterproof

[thescruff]

Sorry Chez that is crazy unless you protect the wood with sand bags or something.

Just imagine Isabella falling over as kids do a cracking her head on one of those edges.

That wood is as hard as nails and the edges will be like a razor, a child falling on it would be cut in two.

[EJJ150847]

Looks a nice play pit

Will be a beggar to keep clean though.

John

[moderator6]

Sorry Chez that is crazy unless you protect the wood with sand bags or something.

Just imagine Isabella falling over as kids do a cracking her head on one of those edges.

That wood is as hard as nails and the edges will be like a razor, a child falling on it would be cut in two.

Actually I think you have a point Scruff. If it was me I'd run a router around the top inside and out with a 1/2" rounding bit fitted, no splinters and no sharp edges.

Just a suggestion Chez

[breatheasy]

I made one for my little ones(not so little now) out of seasoned oak logs ... possibly the best present I ever got them!
Covering it every night and against the rain kept it well.

[transitboy]

If you read link it tells you exactly what to do .All edges to be chamfered and to cover with mesh:thumbright:

[wine~o]

Sorry Chez that is crazy unless you protect the wood with sand bags or something.

Just imagine Isabella falling over as kids do a cracking her head on one of those edges.

That wood is as hard as nails and the edges will be like a razor, a child falling on it would be cut in two.

Surely that is part of the "Learning experience" that we used to call "Growing up"....I was cut in two several times as a child...never did me any harm...

[thescruff]

Thats why many kids never get old enough to go to school wine~o

Christ Chez is probably the most safety concious guy on the forum, and that is an accident waiting to happen.

[big-all]

whilst i agree about "sharp corners" and routing them would be a good compromise

the world is full off hard surfaces pavements gates coffee tables baths shower bases

we need to get the balance right apart from more road traffic the world is no more dangerous than it was say 50 years ago its just better reported
of course you keep your eye on your childs ability and reduce the dangers but dont wrap them in cotton wool otherwise you will have 20 year old "children " still under there parents daily control unaware off the jungle and neive off the big bad world

[Chop]

I have 5 concrete steps leading to my back door and my kids walk up and down them many times a day. Chez wants somewhere safe for his daughter to play he's got it, alright I would chamfer the inside edge in case she fell back, but no more than that.

Life is all about evaluating risks, start 'em young I say. This is not to say I would let them go to lion taming classes if that's what they wanted but you've got to let them learn.