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How to Build a Toy Storage Box

If your child's toys keep piling up around you and it feels like you don't have adequate storage space for all of them, then a simple toy storage box is probably what you need. This do-it-yourself design is easy to complete, inexpensive and effective at keeping all of those toys out of sight. No need for extensive handicraft skills. A few simple materials is all you need to build your own toy storage box.

Things You'll Need

4x8 foot piece of 1/2-inch thick plywood Sand paper Random-orbit electrical sander Wood glue 4d finishing nails 8 - 15 3/6 inch piano hinges 2 pneumatic soft-close hinges Measuring tape Pencil Framing square or straightedge Jigsaw Drill fitted with a 1/4 inch drill bit Hammer Paint Paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Decide the size of your toy box and trace the measurements out onto your plywood using your straight edge. You need the front, back, bottom and top to be the exact same size. You also need the two sides to be the exact same size. Keep in mind that these pieces all need to join up to form a box, so the width of the front, back, top and bottom of the box must be equal to the width of the sides.
- 2
  Clamp your plywood to a worktable and, carefully using your jigsaw, cut each piece out.
- 3
  Clamp each individual piece to your worktable and use your sander to sand the wood until it is splinter-free. Make sure you sand each side.
- 4
  Lay the bottom piece to your toy storage box on a flat surface. String a generous amount of wood glue along the lower edges of the front back and side pieces of your toy box and stand them up around the bottom piece, allowing the front and back to overlap the sides. As the glue is drying, clamp the box firmly together with bar clamps and use a cloth to wipe away any excess glue that may spill from the creases.
- 5
  Secure the box by nailing 4d finishing nails along all of the detached edges of your box. You will want to place a nails approximately every 4 inches. After you've finished securing your box with nails, remove the clamps.
- 6
  Paint or stain the entire box, including the top, to avoid painting over any hinges you will use to attach the top of the box.
- 7
  Line the piano hinges up on the edge of the back of the box, along the inside. The number of hinges you use will depend on how long your box is. The hinges should span the entire length of the box with no spaces. Use your drill to screw the hinges to the box.
- 8
  Attach the top of the box to the other side of the piano hinges using your drill and screws. This step may require the assistance of someone holding the top of the box in place while you screw it in.
- 9
  Use a screwdriver to screw the bottom of two pneumatic hinges just below the piano hinges, on each end of the inside of the back of the box. With the assistance of someone holding the top of the box in place (open enough so it is out of the way), screw the top of the pneumatic hinges to the top of your box. These hinges will allow the top of the box to open and close slower, helping to prevent little fingers from being injured.

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