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DIY Kid's Kitchen

When it comes to pretend play there's nothing like playing house. For your child to be the perfect mom or dad, they are going to need the perfect kitchen. Purchasing a kitchen set at a department store is not cheap; if you do purchase one it may not even stand up to the wear and tear that your children put it through. With some simple supplies and a little elbow grease, you can build a kitchen your child has always dreamed about---one that will stand the test of time.

Things You'll Need

2 closet shelving units, 1 foot wide by 1 foot deep, 2 to 3 feet high
One piece of plywood, about 2 feet by 4 feet
Self tapping screws
Jigsaw
Drill
Screwdriver
Small rimmed metal bowl
Paint
Paintbrush
6 wooden knobs
Small hooks
Glue gun
Glue sticks
4 junk mail CDs

Instructions

- 1
  Assemble shelving units per manufacturer's instructions.
- 2
  Cut the shelving units to desired height with the jigsaw.
- 3
  Paint shelving units if needed. Allow to dry.
- 4
  Place shelving units upright, two feet apart, with shelf openings facing forward. These are the base of your kitchen and provide stability.
- 5
  Cut a 6-inch strip from the 2-foot-by-4-foot plywood along the 4-foot length. This will give you a long, narrow piece of wood for the back splash. The large piece of plywood will be the counter.
- 6
  Place the counter on top of the shelves, ensuring that the counter top and shelves are flush in the back. This will leave you a 6-inch overhang on the front of your counter. If desired, shape the overhang with the jigsaw.
- 7
  Screw the counter top to each shelving unit.
- 8
  Position the back splash on the back of the kitchen. The back splash should be 3 inches above the counter top. Once attached, the remaining 3 inches will be behind the kitchen and will provide stability for the back splash.
- 9
  Screw the back splash into the counter top and shelving units.
- 10
  Measure the top of the metal bowl. This will be your sink.
- 11
  Draw a circle on the wood in the center of the counter top for the sink opening. It should be big enough for the bowl to sit inside the hole and the rim to hold the bowl in place. Make sure to leave enough space at the back of the sink for a faucet and sink knobs.
- 12
  Drill a starter hole just inside the circle.
- 13
  Cut along the line you've traced onto the wood with the jigsaw.
- 14
  Paint the counter top and back splash in your desired color and allow to dry.
- 15
  Insert the metal bowl into the opening.
- 16
  Draw a faucet onto the wood left over from the sink hole.
- 17
  Cut out the faucet with the jigsaw.
- 18
  Paint the faucet and knobs and allow time to dry.
- 19
  Screw the faucet into place at the top of the sink.
- 20
  Drill a small pilot hole into the bottom of each knob, right in the center. Be careful not to drill through the knob.
- 21
  Screw one knob down on each side of the faucet.
- 22
  Screw the remaining knobs down the right edge of the plywood at equal distance. These are controls for the burners.
- 23
  Position the CDs on the right side of the counter top like burners, two in the back and two in the front.
- 24
  Glue down the CDs.
- 25
  Screw small hooks into appropriate places for oven mitts, pot holders, aprons or kitchen towels.

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