Week 3

Turtle Sandbox (Beginner Project)

Building a complete model using basic tools

Welcome Back!

You've learned to navigate SketchUp and draw with precision. Now it's time to build something complete.

This week, you'll combine everything you've learned — Rectangle, Push/Pull, Offset, and Line — to create a turtle sandbox: a shallow box with walls where a pet turtle could live.

You'll also add materials and colors to make it look real. By the end, you'll have a finished 3D model you can show off.

What You'll Learn This Week

  • Combine Rectangle, Push/Pull, Offset, and Line tools in one project
  • Build a multi-part model — a sandbox with walls
  • Apply materials and colors to bring your model to life
  • Save and share your finished model

Let's Begin

10 minutes

1. Warm-Up: Recap Drawing Tools

Before building, let's make sure you remember your tools. Open SketchUp and try these quick challenges:

Quick practice:

  1. Draw a rectangle 2m × 2m
  2. Push/Pull it up by 30cm
  3. Use the Offset tool to create a 10cm border inside
  4. Use the Line tool to draw a diagonal across the top
If any tool feels unfamiliar, review Week 2 before starting the sandbox. Speed comes after accuracy.
Reminder: Always save your file with the format week#-studentid-firstname-lastname.
15 minutes

2. Build the Sandbox Base

Every sandbox starts with a flat base. This is the floor of the sandbox — where the sand sits.

Step 1: Draw the base

  • Select the Rectangle tool (or press R)
  • Click once to start
  • Move your cursor to make a rectangle — then type 1m, 1m and press Enter
  • You now have a perfect 1m × 1m square

Step 2: Give the base thickness

  • Select Push/Pull (or press P)
  • Click on the rectangle face
  • Pull it up slightly — type 5cm — press Enter
Why 5cm? Real sandbox bases are a few centimeters thick. This gives the model a solid look.
20 minutes

3. Build the Sandbox Walls with Offset + Push/Pull

Now we'll build the walls. This is where Offset becomes your best friend — it creates the inner wall automatically.

Step 1: Create the wall outline

  • Select the Offset tool (or press F)
  • Click on the top edge of the sandbox base
  • Move your cursor inward
  • Type 15cm — press Enter
  • You now have an inner square 15cm from the outer edge

Step 2: Push the wall upward

  • Select Push/Pull
  • Click on the outer top face
  • Pull it up — type 20cm — press Enter
  • The wall rises around the inner base

Step 3: Check the walls

  • Orbit around to see the walls from every angle
  • Make sure all 4 walls are the same height
  • Use Eraser (E) to remove any stray lines
Look at that! You used Offset and Push/Pull together to create a real 3D box with walls — just like a real sandbox.
25 minutes

4. Build Your Own Turtle Sandbox

Now it's your turn. Follow the steps, but make it your own. Choose your own dimensions.

Required features:

  • A square or rectangular base (at least 1m × 1m)
  • Walls that go around all four sides
  • Walls should be at least 15cm tall
  • The base should be at least 5cm thick
  • Everything should be connected (no floating parts)

Suggested dimensions:

Part Suggested Size
Base1.2m × 1.2m
Base thickness5cm
Wall thickness15cm
Wall height25cm

Optional extras (if you have time):

  • Add a small ramp using the Line tool and Push/Pull
  • Add a shallow pool by pushing down on part of the base
  • Add a decorative border around the top edge
If something breaks: Press Ctrl + Z to undo. Mistakes are part of the process — every 3D designer fixes their own work.
Tip: Save often. Press Ctrl + S every few minutes so you never lose progress.
20 minutes

5. Apply Materials and Colors

Your sandbox is built. Now let's make it look real by adding materials — colors and textures.

Step 1: Open the Materials panel

  • Look for the Materials panel on the right side of the screen
  • Click the dropdown to see categories: Colors, Groundcover, Landscaping, etc.

Step 2: Paint the sandbox base (sand)

  • Choose a sand-colored material (yellow/tan)
  • Click the inner base surface to apply it

Step 3: Paint the walls (wood)

  • Choose a wood material (brown)
  • Click each wall surface to apply it
  • Try to make all four walls the same color

Step 4: Add decorative touches

  • Add a different wood color to the top edge of the walls
  • Or add a green grassy area around the outside
Mistake? Select the correct material again and click the same surface — it will repaint over the old color.
10 minutes

6. Save & Share

Your sandbox is finished. Let's save it properly and share it with your teacher.

Save your work:

  1. Click the model name at the top of the screen
  2. Rename it: week3-studentid-firstname-lastname
  3. Click Save
  4. Verify it appears in your Google Drive

Share your work (optional):

  1. Click File → Share
  2. Copy the share link
  3. Paste it into your class submission form or Google Classroom
Use Zoom Extents (Shift + Z) before saving to see your whole sandbox. This makes it easier to spot problems.

Check Yourself

Before you finish, make sure you can do all of these:

  • I can draw a rectangle with exact dimensions
  • I can use Offset to create a wall border
  • I can Push/Pull to make walls
  • I can apply materials and colors
  • I can save and share my file correctly

Key Words to Remember

Term What It Means
MaterialA color, texture, or pattern applied to a surface
ColorThe visual appearance of a surface — one kind of material
ComponentA reusable group of objects — like a copy that stays linked to the original

Quick Check

Answer these in your head or on paper:

  1. What tool creates a smaller copy of a shape at a set distance?
  2. How do you make walls rise from the base?
  3. Where do you find materials in SketchUp?
  4. What's the proper filename format for your saved work?

Optional Homework

Coming Next Week

Week 4: Pirate Ship Playhouse — Hull & Deck — You'll start building a complex multi-part model and learn how to use Offset and Move to create a pirate ship's hull and deck.

Teacher Instructions

  1. Verify each student still has their Week 2 table saved in Google Drive.
  2. Review Rectangle, Push/Pull, and Offset quickly before starting.
  3. Demonstrate the sandbox base build step by step.
  4. Show how Offset creates the inner wall automatically.
  5. Demonstrate Push/Pull to raise the walls.
  6. Guide students through building their own sandbox.
  7. Circulate the room and assist students who struggle with Offset.
  8. Demonstrate how to open the Materials panel.
  9. Show how to apply materials to the base and walls.
  10. Assist students who want to customize colors.
  11. Remind students to use the Eraser tool for stray geometry.
  12. Verify each student's file is named correctly and saved.
  13. Collect exit tickets or ask quick review questions.
  14. Note which students need extra support in Week 4.
← Back: Week 2 Next Lesson: Pirate Ship Hull & Deck →