Who needs to go to the beach when you can build sandcastles in your own backyard?

You'll need:

Part	Item	Dimensions	Material
A	Posts (4)	90 x 90 x 2700mm	treated pine
B	Long beams (2)	140 x 45 x 2430mm	treated pine
C	Short beams (2)	140 x 45 x 2430mm	treated pine
D	Central beam	90 x 45 x 2340mm	treated pine
E	Shadecloth and studs	2.4 x 3.6 and 7.5 x 1.8m	Sarlon
F	Side battens (6)	40 x 19 x 730mm	treated pine
G	Long top battens (2)	40 x 19 x 2430mm	treated pine
H	Short top battens (2)	40 x 19 x 2340mm	treated pine
I	Long pit sides (2)	290 x 45 x 2100mm	treated pine
J	Short pit sides (3)	290 x 45 x 1510mm	treated pine
K	Cleats (8)	40 x 19 x 120mm	treated pine

You'll also need:
Clear 10mm tubing, 8mm;
4 bags concrete;
12 galvanised cuphead bolts, 120mm x 10mm;
Washers and nuts;
Tarpaulin, 2.4m x 1.8m;
Elasticised rope, 8m;
Weed control mat, 1.8m-square;
Clean washed sand, half a cubic metre.

Tools
Pencil
Claw hammer (570g)
Smoothing plane (no. 4)
Marking gauge
Combination square
Steel tape (3 metres)
Three bevelled-edge firmer chisels (10mm, 18mm, 32mm)
Cross-cut saw (650mm long)
Tenon saw (300mm long)
Nail punch (3mm)
Set of twist drills
Set of screwdrivers (slotted, pozi, Phillips)
Oil stone
Sanding cork
Variable-speed power drill
Jigsaw

Here's how:
1. Mark out the position of posts for the shade structure on the ground; ours are spaced with outer edges 2.4m apart. Insert pegs at corners or run string lines between pegs and crossbars set 500mm beyond building area. Posts are located where strings cross. Check the set-out is square by ensuring diagonals are equal.

2. At each corner dig a 400mm deep hole for posts (A). Cut posts roughly to length; place one in each hole. Check spacing at the bottom then brace posts in two directions to hold them plumb (vertical). A post level makes this easy. Select height for top of posts (remembering that a 140mm deep beam will sit below the top posts). Ours are 2200mm. Mark this height on one post and transfer height to other three posts. Number each post so it can be returned to its correct hole. Remove posts.

3. Cut posts to length and cut a housing on two adjacent faces at top by measuring down 140mm and in 30mm to take the top beams. Reinstall posts with housings facing out and brace them. Pour a bag of concrete around the base of each post and let it harden.

4. Cut long and short beams (B, C) to size, clamp in the housing and drill through for fixing with 10mm galvanised cuphead bolts. The short beams should fit inside the long beams.

5. Install the central beam (D) halfway along the long beam, flush with top edge. Secure with galvanised screws.

6. Sand smooth rough patches, then paint timber in cheerful colours. Cut 2.4m square of shadecloth (E) to cover the roof area, held in place with shadecloth studs. Fold 1.8m cloth in half lengthways and wrap around the east, north and west sides from the top down about 870mm. Cover stud down posts with battens (F) and around the top with battens (G, H), both of which are painted before fixing in place.

7. Screw together long and short sides (I, J) of sandpit. Internal divider for the toy compartment (J) is located with its outside edge 1600mm from furthest end. Cut 45-degree mitre on cleats (K) and fix to sides 40mm from top edge of pit. They hold the tarpaulin elastic in place.

8. Thread elasticised rope through eyelets of tarpaulin and fit around pit. When tight tie rope with a reef knot and slip it over each of corner cleats. Before filling with sand, lay weed control mat in base of pit.