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

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.

Super easy assembly (: fun to put together (:

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.

The reviews posted by others were very helpful in putting this together. As others' experienced, we received ours missing parts (washers), not too big a deal, but still inconvenient. All the pieces were in great shape though, no chips or cosmetic issues. My husband had to call for sizing on the washers, that call took quite a while. He continued building other parts while on hold and after, made a trip to Home Depot to pick them up. While he was there he also picked up a board for the bottom because the plastic that would otherwise go there is a complete joke (as a previous reviewer had suggested with the board, we also followed his instructions on application! We're so grateful for his help!) We painted that board and sprayed everything down with a wood protectant to help it hold up to the elements. We're in Ca., so it won't be exposed to much! After the protectant, my husband also applied caulking to the seams to prevent sand from spilling out of the cracks. Once filled, it worked perfectly! The cover that goes over the sand part has snaps that are not working well in a couple parts, and the kids find them tough to snap anyway, so I ordered small magnets that I am going to attempt to install for ease. Those are still enroute, so not yet installed. Fingers crossed on that. Overall, we're happy we went with this sandbox. Our 9, 6, 4 and 2yr old all were playing in it together. They absolutely love it!