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How many 50 lb bags of play sand to fill a square, rectangular, or round sandbox.
With these inputs:
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Play sand | 34 bags (50 lb) |
| Volume | 16.7 cu ft (0.62 yd³) |
| Weight | 1,700 lb |
| Bagged cost | $170 – $306 |
| Sandbox area | 25 sq ft |
| Fill depth | 8 in |
| Bags | 34 bags |
| Tons | 0.85 tons |
| Bulk alternative | 0.62 yd³ of washed mason sand ≈ $86 – $167 delivered |
Line the box with landscape fabric so the sand does not mix into the soil, and fit a cover to keep animals and rain out.
Sandboxes eat more sand than people expect: a modest 5 by 5 foot box filled 8 inches deep needs about 34 bags. Enter your sandbox size and fill depth to get the number of 50 lb bags, the total weight, and whether a bulk delivery would be cheaper.
Multiply length by width by depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 0.5. A 4 by 4 foot sandbox filled 6 inches deep needs 8 cubic feet, or 16 bags. A 6 by 6 foot box at 8 inches needs 24 cubic feet, or 48 bags.
Six to twelve inches. Toddlers are happy with six; older kids digging holes and building castles want ten or twelve. Leave three to four inches between the sand and the rim to keep it in the box.
About half a cubic foot — enough to cover 3 square feet at 2 inches deep, or 1 square foot at 6 inches.
Choose sand labelled washed and screened, and ideally tested for low crystalline silica dust. Natural beach or river sand is a good alternative. Avoid crushed-rock sands, which are sharp and dusty.
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