KidKraft Wooden Pirate Sandbox with Canopy, Covered Children's Sandbox, Outdoor Furniture - Blue & Red, Gift for Ages 3-8

I think I owe this a review, as I am about to buy another one, 6 years later. We bought this for our oldest son when he was 3. He loved it. It spent the next 6 years on our roof deck in Boston. Never covered, through six winters, a few of them pretty brutal, with many, many days of 50-60 mph winds. Finally last year, the top shade pulled free on the sides, but still fully attached and would still shade--just looked a little more "piratey". I did have to re-paint it once, and it could have used it again. But even with out that, it has lasted. My kids would crawl along every edge, and it held up. Ultimately we had to tell them to stop standing on the blue rails, because they were going to break--but that was after several years. And with a little reinforcing wood it would have been safe again. This year, we demolished our roof deck to rebuild, and my five-year-old bawled. Didn't matter that I told him we were getting a hot tub instead, he wanted his sandbox. So I think even though my husband was so looking forward to a grown-up looking roof deck, we will be getting another one of these for the five year old, and the one year old who is now just the age to enjoy it. Honestly, because this is so fun, it makes it so that the roof deck is like a giant play pen, where kids can play, and adults can relax. Though hot tub + sandbox may not be an ideal combination :/ It does take a while to build. I seem to remember it being about 2 years. But for 6 years of fun it was unquestionably worth it, and I'm not even sorry to have to build it again--though this time I will put a transparent clear coat over the paint to see if I can't get an extra season before having to re-paint it.

This is the perfect size for my kiddo. He’s almost 2 and it was an early birthday gift. It finished building it in a day. It took long because I was watching a toddler who insisted on picking up parts or running off while I built it (and being attacked by cicadas). Some of the wood was chipped and cracking. It actually doesn’t really feel like real wood. Seems weaker than wood BUT it is sturdy when built. You may need a drill for some parts because some minor holes for the liner holder were not drilled. If you don’t plan on using the clear liner, you don’t need to drill the holes. One person could definitely build this on their own. It was pretty light when I finished so I could easily move it to the part of the yard I wanted it. I used 8 50lb bags of sand at Lowe’s for about $5 a piece. Anymore would have probably been too much. I still think the sand is a bit high but I figured my son will probably throw a bunch out while he’s playing and it should be fine. It’s a good purchase. Glad I got it. My neighbors kid loves it too (she’s 5). Last time I looked in it, I saw ants in the sand so I probably should have treated the area for ants prior to putting this down. I’ll do that eventually.

I must say this product looks amazing when completed, and my 20 month year old little boy will not come out of it. He even peaks his head out of our upstairs window and likes to look and point at his new Pirate Sandbox.Overall I give the product a 4 out of 5 Stars, but you can make it a perfect 5 with just a little more effort from your local hardware store. The finished product looks exactly like the picture, yes, it's really that nice looking. However, you should note that it does not come with a floor, instead they give you a very heavy gauge plastic bottom. I would estimate the thickness of the plastic to be the equivalent of two contractor bags.The actual assembly was fairly painless, you need to place all the wooden pieces with the numbers facing up outside in the backyard (you may have trouble getting the fully assembled product through a door). I would suggest that you use a very high quality ratchet screw driver, my absolute favorite is the Ivy Classic. You should use a good quality Phillips head and matching hex in the ratcheting screw driver. Following the assembly instructions was quite easy, but time consuming, you want everything tight but not over tightened, otherwise you'll risk cracking. Be sure to make sure all pieces have the matching bolts on the opposite side, so you can tighten properly.My item came with a flag post top that's screw was to short, so I had to drill a 3/4" hole in the cross beam about 1/3" deep. This was the only real mishap with the parts received, the package did arrive in decent condition.Now, the fun part, that can turn this almost into a real boat that can last for many years to come. It became obvious that the design was subject to body sway and overtime this would be an issue, plus only having a plastic liner in the front section would not protect the middle seat section or the last section.My solution, which cost under $50 in building materials from my local big home improvement reseller, was to get a 4 foot by 8 foot piece of plywood meant to be outdoors. It cost me about $20 for the plywood sheet, I did not get the treated plywood, since I didn't want kids to touch any of the toxins (pesticides and wood preservatives). I put the completed Pirate Sandboat on the plywood, then traced a 2" perimeter line around the entire structure. Then using a circular saw, while holding the wood on a picnic table, cut out the previously traced "bottom."Next, I purchased three packages of "2 in. Corner Braces, Galvanized 4-Pack", so a total of 12 all together to attach the new bottom to the boat. I first however used Thompson Water Seal on the underside and let it dry overnight. The next day I looked at the stress points that the sides of the pirate boat and used the Corner Braces to strategically secure the "new" bottom.The result has been impressive, I don't have to worry about 4 kids in the Pirate Sandbox destroying or breaking anything. It is solid as a rock, and I anticipate it lasting many, many years.My final project with the Pirate Sandbox is to use Helmsman Spar Urethane to protect the outer layer of all the wood surfaces. I had contemplated using silicone clear waterproof caulking around the new bottom, but after filling the sandbox part with 12 bags of Play Sand (about $4.50 per / bag), none leaked out, so I held off. I'd also suggest that you put one of the corner braces on the inside bottom of each seat to the center mast. I'll try post better pictures of all 12 bracket locations.My 1 1/2 year old has not come out of the sandbox, and spends hours everyday playing in the sand and driving it all over the ocean with his imagination. I bought some plastic pirate swords, so his cousins can walk the plank and prevent any mutinies on board.I'll Post the photo's today, and I'll try and post some of the video we shot of the kids playing in the near future. If you have any questions on the construction of the floor I'd be happy to answer them via email.Update April 3rd, 2014 - The Pirate Sandbox is still being used by my now 5 y/o and 4 y/o. We have continued to add sand over the years (since they now have a digger and manage to eventually move the sand to the outside). The customized plywood bottom began to warp, so we just purchased 5 inexpensive patio square concrete stones (about 2" high and 12"x12" square), this helped put the structure above the water line always, so bad weather doesn't damage the sandbox. We also use Red and Blue Spray paint to occasionally make it look new again. The kids are excited that Spring is finally here, and they are looking forward to another adventurous season on the high seas. I'll try and post some updated pictures when I get a chance.

My 2 year old son LOVES this sandbox. Our friends ask to have playdates at our house because of this sandbox 😅 It's a hit with all his friends. It is very sturdy, I can sit on it with him and play too. The sun shade is perfect. The sandbox is so nice and big.We filled it with 11 50lb bags of sand. It filled it to the brim. I love the toy storage too. Really great.My only complaint is the cover. It's pretty worthless. It was a bit annoying to measure out and install the snaps, although that wasn't a big deal. It's that they are snaps, snaps that don't work if sand gets in them...in a sandbox. So needless to say, the cover is pretty useless. Which is a bummer, that was part of the draw for me. We're going to have to make our own cover. No $100+ litterbox for me please.