Kid’s First Toolbox (Build Plans)

Conor asked for tools for Christmas. Today I’m sharing his first project – a Kid’s First Toolbox.

Our youngest loves to help with projects and cooking. Honestly, he’s Luke’s mini-me and he idolizes Chip Gaines. Every week we watch Fixer Upper and his favorite part is “demo day”. He can’t wait until we redo our kitchen (which won’t be for a few years), but he has all kinds of ideas and definitely wants to be a big part of demo day.

As you know, Luke has developed a love for building furniture. He’s created so many great projects, but I think my favorite is the farmhouse dining table he built us with reclaimed heart pine. You can see that project here.

The wood is so beautiful and so is the craftsmanship.

Conor always helps Luke, like on this kid’s picnic table. He loves helping his daddy. This year for Christmas he asked for his own tools. I wish you could have seen his face when he unwrapped them.

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We gave him a handsaw, a claw hammer, a coping saw and a multi-screwdriver.

He couldn’t wait to start building. Luke helped him build his on toolbox to hold all his new tools. This is the perfect project to start your child off with building, of course, an adult should always be present when a child is using tools.

Kid’s First Toolbox

Materials

• 1×4 Board
• 1×8 Board
• 3/8″ ply
• 1″ dowel
• Finish nails
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper

Method

1. 1. Cut two pieces of 1×4 to a length of 19 1/2″
   2. Cut two pieces of 1×8 to a length of 9″
   3. Draw either a curved or straight corner on the 1×8 so that you will have the ends you want
   4. Cut the shape from the end using a coping saw or a scroll saw
   5. Drill a 1″ (or whatever diameter your dowel is) hole about an inch below the tops of the ends
   6. Cut a 7 1/2″ x 21″ piece of ply
   7. Push the ends onto the dowel, glue
   8. Attach the ends to the sides with glue and finish nails
   9. Attach the ply to the bottom with glue and nails
   10. If the dowel is loose, you can nail through the the top of the end
   11. When finished, sand the toolbox to ensure it’s smooth

       I actually made a little video because it was so cute to see his enthusiasm.

        

Isn’t it so sweet?

He’s so proud of himself and can’t wait to build more.

Next up for the dynamic duo is a proper workbench for Luke in the basement, a game table for the playroom to play Risk and a coffee table for our living room. We went to get wood yesterday. Yay! Can’t wait for all this new furniture.

Luke’s dad taught him at a very early age how to use tools and made him and his brothers a big part of home projects. I think it’s so important to teach children at an early age. If you have a child who wants to learn you may want to pin these plans for later.