Submitted by: Dave Matthews

Young children have great fun engaging in pretend play. If they are 3 at least 3 years old you may wish to get them a toy kitchen. There are many specialist manufacturers of toy kitchens however if you wish to give it a personal touch you may wish to build one yourself.

Equipment List:

6 x panels of 3/8 inch thick, 24 inch by 18 inch plywood

8 x panels of 3/8 inch thick, 24 inch by 12 inch plywood

10 x panels of 3/8 inch thick, 18 inch by 12 inch plywood

4 x panels of 3/8 inch thick, 17 1/4 inch by 11 1/4 inch plywood

1 box 3/4 inch long sheetrock screws

1 box 3/4 inch long finishing nails

3 x 24 inch long piano hinges

4 x small cabinet door butt hinges

2 x 6 inch long grab style metal finish patio door handles

2 cabinet door knobs

2 x 1/2 inch diameter j-hook bolts

2 x 6 inch diameter metal salad bowls with 1/2 inch lip edge Clear silicone sealant

Belt sander (w/ Coarse, medium, fine and extra fine sanding belts)

Power drill with 1/2 inch bit

Jigsaw Circular saw

Compass #2 pencil 4 sheets black felt

5 oven knobs 16 plastic L-shaped wall mounts Instant adhesive Nontoxic paint in desired color Clear acrylic deck coating

You will find that plywood is the most versatile and inexpensive alternative to hardwood and it will look great when sanded smoothed and sealed with a few coats of clear acrylic. It is also easily cut into any shape with a jigsaw, making it simple to disassemble and store where necessary. The appliances in this kitchen will al be 18x24x12 inches.

Buy your plywood ready cut or cur from 4×8 ft sheets of 3/8 inch thick plywood (unfinished). You should sand all of the pieces down with a coarse/fine sanding belt but leave the extra fine sanding until the end. Next paint all the pieces with the desired colour and leave them to dry for 24 hours.

Assemble the basic boxes for each 18x24x12 inch appliance, leaving the front panel off. The fridge and storage cupboard will stand on the short end, with the sink and stove lying on the long side. Nail the box sides together and make sure that the corners are squared.

Take the four pieces of 17 1/4 by 11 1/4 inch wood and attach 2 wall mounts along the short sides one inch from either end. These will be the shelves for the fridge and the cupboard. Decide on the position for each shelf and attach them with 3/4 inch sheetrock screws.

Take a piano hinge and fold it along it’s spine. Temporarily tack it in place alongside the left or right of the front of the fridge, depending on how you want it to open. Again, use 3/4 inch screws to attach the hinge. Open and close the door and adjust the hinge placement if necessary.

Attach the 12×18 inch doors to the sink using the 3/4 inch screws and some cabinet butt hinges. Scribe two 6 inch diameter circles on the top of the sink side by side. Make a pilot hole in the centre using a power drill. Cut out the circles using a jigsaw blade. Sand the edges to remove any buurs that you may have created.

Lay a bead of silicion seal around each circle’s edge and place a salad bowl in each hole. Press down to ensure a good seal. Wipe any areas where the seal may have smeared then allow to dry overnight. You should then drill a 1/2 inch hole near the edge of each bowl and insert a j-hook bolt upside down in order to replicate a tap.

Finally, attach all the remaining door knobs, handles and oven knobs. Sand all sharp corners with extra fine sandpaper to bevel the edges.

About the Author: Dave Matthews is writing on behalf of My Treasures, a

Kidkraft Kitchen

retailer.

Source:

isnare.com

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