Home >> Toys >> Wooden Toys

How to Build a Child Size Wagon

Wagons were originally used to haul goods and people from one place to another. A child's wagon has the same basic structure, but on a much smaller scale with an open top. Famous brands of store-bought wagons include Red Flyer, Red Rider and Speedway Express. These wagons can be quite expensive, and do not offer the satisfaction of building one yourself for your children. Since wagons are basically boxes on wheels, they are quite simple to make.

Things You'll Need

Sandpaper
Plywood, 30 by 18 inches
2 boards, 1x8, 30 inches long
2 boards, 1x8, 16.5 inches long
2 boards, 2x4, 34 inches long
Wood glue
Wood screws
Drill with various bits
2 dowels, 1-inch, 18 inches long
Wagon wheels
Red paint
Rope

Instructions

- 1
  Sand all of the wood to remove any splinters.
- 2
  Check the 1x8 boards to ensure they form a box that fits on the plywood. Trim any boards to fit.
- 3
  Glue the 30-inch 1x8 boards along the long sides of the plywood base with wood glue. When the glue is dry, screw them in place from underneath.
- 4
  Glue the 16.5-inch 1x8 boards to the short sides of the plywood base and to the other side boards. When the glue is dry, screw these in as well, from underneath and from the sides.
- 5
  Drill two holes in each 2x4 for the wheel axles. Make sure they are in the same place on both boards.
- 6
  Turn the wagon over and glue the 2x4 boards to the bottom. When the glue has dried, screw them in place through the floor of the wagon.
- 7
  Thread the dowels through the axle holes and attach them to the wheels.
- 8
  Drill a 1-inch wide hole in the front of the wagon.
- 9
  Paint the wagon red.
- 10
  Knot a piece of rope and pass it through the hole in the front. Knot the other end to form a handle.

Wooden Toys