How to Make Your Kid's Own Wooden Kitchen

Making the Refrigerator

• 1

  Cut out pieces from 3/4-inch cabinet grade plywood. Cut out two front and back pieces at 34 inches by 20 inches, two side pieces at 34 inches by 12 inches and two top and bottom pieces and one shelf at 12 inches by 18 1/2 inches.

• 2

  Stand the back and one side piece on a narrow end. Glue one long edge of the side piece and fit it to the face of the back, with its outside face flush with the edge of the back. Nail through the back into the edge of the side with a pin nailer, placing one 1 1/2-inch nail every 6 inches. Attach the second side in the same way.

• 3

  Lay the unit on its back. Glue the side and back edges of the top and fit it into the U shape of the back and sides, flush at the top edge. Nail through the back and sides into the edges of the top. Install the bottom in the same way. Locate the center of the box from top to bottom and mark both sides with a square. Glue the side and back edges of the shelf and install it with the top edge against the bottom of the line. Nail it in place.

• 4

  Glue the front edges of the top and bottom and the front edges of the sides. Set the front onto the box and nail it in place, nailing into the edges of the top, bottom and sides. Draw a rectangle on the face of the box, with rounded corners, 2 inches in from each edge. Use a soda can to trace the curve for the corners.

• 5

  Cut this rectangle door along the four straight edges with a circular saw set to a 3/4-inch depth. Start the cut by aligning the blade on the line. Tilt the saw so that the front edge of the baseplate is on the face of the box and the blade is above the line, Start the blade and drop the saw down, plunging through the plywood with the blade turning. Cut up to the curve. Do this on all four sides.

• 6

  Install three 2-inch utility hinges evenly spaced along the left side of the door, bridging the cut. Use 3/4-inch wood screws in each hole. Cut the curved corners of the door with a jigsaw to release it. Mark the holes for a 3-inch utility handle on the right side of the door, using the paper template that comes with the handle. Drill 1/8-inch pilot holes for the screws. Align the handle on the face of the door and install the screws through the back of the door with a screwdriver.

Making the Stove

• 7

  Cut out pieces for the stove from the same material. Cut out one back piece at 20 inches by 28 inches, one face piece at 20 inches by 24 inches, two side pieces at 12 inches by 24 inches and two top and bottom pieces at 12 inches by 18 1/2 inches. Cut out four circles 5 inches across with the jigsaw.

• 8

  Glue and nail the sides as outlined above for the refrigerator, allowing the taller back to extend at the top. Install the top and bottom as outlined above for the refrigerator, making the top flush with the tops of the sides, with the taller back extending above. Install the shelf halfway between the top and bottom and glue and nail the face onto the unit as outlined above for the refrigerator.

• 9

  Cut out the door. Install the hinges and handle as outlined above for the refrigerator, with the hinges on the bottom edge of the door and the handle at the top. Glue and nail the four circles to the top of the stove with wood glue and pin nails, evenly spaced across the surface, one in each corner for the burners.

• 10

  Sand both pieces, rolling the edges slightly for safety. Use a fine bristle brush to apply at least two coats of semigloss enamel in your child's favorite color. Use an art brush to paint in details such as black burners, silver handles, knobs on the stove and a black window on the face of the door. Follow the label instructions for drying time between coats for best results.