Shade for Sandbox

[Josiegirl]

My sandbox area is the most popular in the back yard. Unfortunately, it can also be the sunniest up until 4 in the afternoon. I've been looking at the canopies you can buy and know I need to get something. My sandbox is 10 by 10(or 12 by 12, can't remember). Some of those sell for 89(at Ocean State Job Lots) up to 200 or more.
Does anyone have something like that set up for shade? Are they easily knocked down(you know how kids can be), and pretty sturdy? Any comments about them if you do use them or have before? Thanks!!!

[Blackcat31]

My sandbox area is the most popular in the back yard. Unfortunately, it can also be the sunniest up until 4 in the afternoon. I've been looking at the canopies you can buy and know I need to get something. My sandbox is 10 by 10(or 12 by 12, can't remember). Some of those sell for 89(at Ocean State Job Lots) up to 200 or more.
Does anyone have something like that set up for shade? Are they easily knocked down(you know how kids can be), and pretty sturdy? Any comments about them if you do use them or have before? Thanks!!!

How about something like this:



Only $65 and free shipping and handling!

Comes in a variety of colors, seems super easy to open and close as well as move around to where ever you are needing it!

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Patio-Umbrella-Offset-10FT-Hanging-Outdoor-Market-Umbrella-New-Multiple-Colors/166312054?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1381&adid=22222222227042942469&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=107034667997&wl4=pla-297389650637&wl5=9019748&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112561937&wl11=online&wl12=166312054&wl13=&veh=sem

[Mike]

BC's idea is nice. If you go with a canopy, what you will find different between an $89 one and a $189 one is the structural integrity. i.e. how well it can hold up to kids ::

[lovemykidstoo]

I use a large beach umbrella. Got it at Bed Bath and Beyond. Normally like $40, but I had a 20% off coupon. It's nice because I can easily take it around the yard. The pole sticks in the ground

[Cat Herder]

I used these https://smile.amazon.com/Quik-Shade-...ds=canopy+tent for a bit, then I planted a white oak from here https://www.fast-growing-trees.com/White-Oak-Tree.htm .

Ironic the price is the same.

[hwichlaz]

If you get that type of Umbrella you’ll also need four weights. Or it’ll tip. Don’t ask how I know.

If there are trees, buildings, fences nearby...you can get a shade sail. You attach with ropes and suspend it above the sand box. Or you can try a beach umbrella.

[redmaple]

We have a few second hand patio table umbrellas. We took large empty buckets and filled them with cement mix and a PVC pipe in the center. Then pop the umbrellas in the PVC pipe.

[Jdy2222]

I have this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 held in with 4x4's. LOVE it, but wish I'd gotten a bigger one, this seemed huge at the time but with the movement of the sun throughout the day bigger is necessary.

[lovemykidstoo]

We have a few second hand patio table umbrellas. We took large empty buckets and filled them with cement mix and a PVC pipe in the center. Then pop the umbrellas in the PVC pipe.

That's a great idea!

[kitkat]

We have a few second hand patio table umbrellas. We took large empty buckets and filled them with cement mix and a PVC pipe in the center. Then pop the umbrellas in the PVC pipe.

That's what we did also. DH also drilled a hole for a screw so that the umbrella wouldn't spin when it was in the tilted position. The buckets are super heavy once the cement is set, so it's not something you're going to want to move around a lot.

[Pestle]

My rock box was kicked to death by kindergarteners last year and I've been using a plastic swimming pool with holes drilled in the bottom for drainage, but my next outdoor project is going to be this. It won't be suitable for more than a couple of a kids at a time, but I've found I need to limit them to 2 anyway since the rocks start to become buckshot when there are more kids than that in there!

http://www.ana-white.com/2015/07/free_plans/sail-boat-or-ship-sandbox

I have the fabric for the sail already.

[Michael]

How about something like this:



Only $65 and free shipping and handling!

Comes in a variety of colors, seems super easy to open and close as well as move around to where ever you are needing it!

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Patio-Umb...&wl13=&veh=sem

I have one of these in my back yard. The umbrella is $65 but the four weights (25 lbs each) are about $100 more. The umbrella will also tilt vertically which can be used to keep out the early morning or late afternoon sun. You will need a flat area to place it and the weights or you can also screw it into a wood deck but a big wind could do damage if the base doesn't hold.

[Josiegirl]

My rock box was kicked to death by kindergarteners last year and I've been using a plastic swimming pool with holes drilled in the bottom for drainage, but my next outdoor project is going to be this. It won't be suitable for more than a couple of a kids at a time, but I've found I need to limit them to 2 anyway since the rocks start to become buckshot when there are more kids than that in there!

http://www.ana-white.com/2015/07/free_plans/sail-boat-or-ship-sandbox

I have the fabric for the sail already.

Oh that's really cute!

Thanks for all the great advice and ideas. I've been trying to think of a way to use the fencing as 2 sides and then rig a tarp over the other corner but I'm just not sure how to do it. The sandbox kind of sits in a corner near, but still maybe 3' out from, the fencing. I've thought about sinking a post at the opposite side of the corner but I'd have to dig down a ways and seat it in cement. The problem is there's a tree with huge roots all over that area and I'm not sure how the digging would go. Unfortunately, that tree doesn't provide shade most of the day; it's a huge old pine tree that has a lot of lower dead branches. The other side of my yard is beautifully shaded with a huge maple tree and I've thought about moving my sandbox to there but then the other stuff would all be in the sun.

Just thinking aloud here but I wonder if cementing a post in a bucket for the corner would be feasible, then I wouldn't have to dig.

[Mike]

Oh that's really cute!

Thanks for all the great advice and ideas. I've been trying to think of a way to use the fencing as 2 sides and then rig a tarp over the other corner but I'm just not sure how to do it. The sandbox kind of sits in a corner near, but still maybe 3' out from, the fencing. I've thought about sinking a post at the opposite side of the corner but I'd have to dig down a ways and seat it in cement. The problem is there's a tree with huge roots all over that area and I'm not sure how the digging would go. Unfortunately, that tree doesn't provide shade most of the day; it's a huge old pine tree that has a lot of lower dead branches. The other side of my yard is beautifully shaded with a huge maple tree and I've thought about moving my sandbox to there but then the other stuff would all be in the sun.

Just thinking aloud here but I wonder if cementing a post in a bucket for the corner would be feasible, then I wouldn't have to dig.

Using a pail of cement to support the corner of a tarp won't work as well. It'll hold most of the time, but because of the sideways force the tarp will have when its windy, or if it holds rain, the post will probably tip over, unless it was supported for sideways movement as well. That's why a post for that kind of use pretty much needs to be in the ground, for side support. It could work if you have a bucket or something else large in diameter. Maybe a large cat litter tray, or a garbage pail, not filled right up of course, or just make a wood frame for the cement. If your cement base was 2' diameter or square, and 6" deep, it should hold that tarp for you.

[Josiegirl]

Using a pail of cement to support the corner of a tarp won't work as well. It'll hold most of the time, but because of the sideways force the tarp will have when its windy, or if it holds rain, the post will probably tip over, unless it was supported for sideways movement as well. That's why a post for that kind of use pretty much needs to be in the ground, for side support. It could work if you have a bucket or something else large in diameter. Maybe a large cat litter tray, or a garbage pail, not filled right up of course, or just make a wood frame for the cement. If your cement base was 2' diameter or square, and 6" deep, it should hold that tarp for you.

Thanks for that info Mike! I'll have to look around and see if I can find something like that. Other option would be to rig the tarp with a hook that I could hook and unhook whenever we go outside. Something easy that would detach from the cemented post but stay hooked to the fencing.