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Handmade Wooden Toy Chest

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Handmade wooden toy chest: Raw wood

Learn how to make a handmade wooden toy chest for your child’s playroom.

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My husband wanted the kids to have a toy box like he used to have as a kid, but his old one had no lid and was wood. His dad built it for him.

I tried to find what he wanted. There really aren’t that many now that aren’t plastic it seems, at least not close enough to us and listed on Craigslist. The ones I found had lids or were too small.

I found this tutorial and woodworking plan from Ana White and he decided to try to make our own. I’m repeating his tips and supplies list so if you have a question, feel free to leave a comment and I’ll try to see if he can answer it.

Supplies

  • A box of 2″ wood screws
  • A box of 1.25″ finishing nails
  • Wood filler
  • Wood glue
  • Miter saw
  • Saw horse
  • Hammer
  • Screwdriver
  • Drill
  • Countersink bit and 9/64 bit for drill
  • Level/measuring stick
  • 2″ Spring clamps

  And this wood:   1x 

Wood pieces for diy toy bin
Wood pieces for diy toy chest

With the 8′ Cove, he really needed a 10′ piece so he skimped molding on the back. The store didn’t have one that was long enough when he was there.     

2x:

  • 3/4″ x 16″ x 72″ Stain Grade Edge-glued panel, $23.94/each
  • 1″x2″x6′ Aspen Board, $3.93/each

In the blog post instructions in the link above, when they refer to board lengths (1×16) those are nominal lengths (actual length would be 3/4×15.5″).

The stain grade edge-glued panel are ACTUAL lengths so you’re adapting because of the extra 1/2″ you have in your wood.  

Here’s our box… G LOVES it and has been sitting in it. I like that it’s the same height as our window sill because he can play with his toy cars on the sill. Kind of cute! 

Boy face first into his toy chest.
Toddler sitting in a toy chest full of toys.
Toddler sitting in a toy chest full of toys with toy cars on the windowsill.

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