Diy sandbox and drainage

[daydream97]

We are building dd a sandbox next to her clam shell paddling pool, making it like a raised bed (so dh doesnt have to dig much) using sleeper/tree stumps etc. A nd our ground is clay pretty much. Do i need drainage?

Thinking maybe a layer of drainage type stones (got some already for side of house drainage), layer of weedmat then sand? Or dont worry and just do weedmat then sand or just sand straight onto ground?

I plan to have a full board for the cover.

[MumAmber]

We have weedmat then sand, I wouldnt do sand straight on the ground. The stones might make it uncomfortable if she actually gets in it? I know the sand in ours shifts around a lot and sometimes you do see the mat at the bottom.

[Sezzles]

Just weedmat and sand should be fine

[ob1]

Yes to the weedmat, you want to use black plastic on the sides though, to help stop the grass roots growing into it. Don't worry about the drainage, wet sand is so much easier to construct with! We're always having to add water to ours. Your pit may at times fill up with water if you have very poor drainage, which can lead to a bit of liquifaction, which is always lots of fun to play with too. This happens to ours sometimes when the children are unsupervised with the hose...

[misstickle]

I shifted mine the other day and put it on the grass because it was on the concrete and a pain in the behind.

I didnt put anything down, just stuck the sand straight in. I think my kids would quite like to go digging for grass roots lol and over time it should kill the grass anyway.

[daydream97]

So you dont think it will matter that the ground underneih is clay and can get quite boggy?

Im excited to get it made did lots of gardenin and weeding today. My grandparents are down and they bought me $100 worth of soil, pots, plants etc and then helped me all afternoon

[ob1]

If you are worried about fines from the clay in the base of the sandpit mixing with the sand then I'd recommend you use a high quality fabric geotextile, these provide better texture separation than plain woven weedmat. Look for a white fabric at placemakers/garden centre, reasonably thick, described as a geotextile, Bidimn is a common brand name. Overlap the geotextile by at least 0.5m at the joins and run it up the sides of the sandpit too (in addition to black plastic if you are using that too).