Plans

Free DIY Toy Plans // How to Build a Childrens Play Workbench

11.12.14 By //
The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Children's Play Workbench

We have such a fun lineup this year for our ongoing yearly Handmade Holiday series! Today is all about the little builders and as folks who love to make the sawdust fly, I figure this workbench toy is nothing short of building a legacy for our kids to learn from. I know my boys love to build and then of course tear down, so my gorgeous little baby bird who is now two, would be in heaven with this one. His big brother would probably adore this as well, some things never get old and banging on things with hammers is one of those things!

Finished Project for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Children's Play Workbench
Estimated Cost
$15-$20
Dimensions
Dimensions for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Children's Play Workbench
Lumber
  • 2 – 1×2 at 8’
  • 2 – Quarter Sheet of 1/2” plywood at – 2’x2’
Cut List
  • 4 – 1×2 at 18” – Legs
  • 4 – 1×2 at 9-1/4” – Top and Bottom Side Rails
  • 2 – 1×2 at 19” – Top Shelf Supports
  • 2 – 1×2 at 19” – Bottom Front and Back Rails
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 9-1/4”x19” – Bottom Shelf
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 10-3/4”x19” – Top Shelf
  • 1 – 1×2 at 10-3/4” – Tool Holder
Instructions

Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.

Constructing the Sides for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Children's Play Workbench
Step 1

Cut the pieces for the Legs and the Top and Bottom Side Rails. Set the Kreg jig for 3/4” material and drill pocket holes in the ends of the Top and Bottom Side Rails. Make sure the pocket holes face the inside of the Workbench. Assemble pieces as shown with glue and 1-1/4” pocket screws. Repeat this step twice, once for each end of the Workbench.

Attach the Shelf Supports for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Children's Play Workbench
Step 2

Cut the pieces for the Top Shelf Supports and Bottom Front and Back Rails. Drill pocket holes in the ends of these 4 pieces. Assemble as shown with glue and 1-1/4” pocket screws. The holes should face the inside of the Workbench. The Top Shelf Supports and the Bottom Front and Back Rails should line up with the inside edge of the Legs.

Attach the Bottom Shelf for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Children's Play Workbench
Step 3

Cut the piece for the Bottom Shelf. Set the Kreg Jig for 1/2” and drill pocket holes in all sides of the Shelf. Align the bottom of the Shelf with the bottom of the Bottom Front and Back Rails and Bottom Side Rails, making sure that the pocket holes face the ground. Assemble as shown with glue and 1” pocket screws.

Fasten the Top in Place for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Children's Play Workbench
Step 4

Cut the Top piece. Secure to the Top Shelf Supports with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails.

Drill Holes in the Top for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Children's Play Workbench
Step 5

Drill a series of 3/4” holes as shown. These can be used for hammering dowels (i.e. nails) into the workbench!

Attach the Knobs for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Children's Play Workbench

Install knobs on one end of the Workbench. We installed one at the top of each Leg, but have fun with it! You can use knobs, hooks, or clips in varying colors and sizes.

Pattern for the Tool Holder for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Children's Play Workbench
Step 7

Cut the piece for the Tool Holder. Drill a series of 1/2” holes as shown. To create the cutout, first drill your 1/2” holes and then use your jigsaw to cut the rest of the shape.

Attach the Tool Holder for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Children's Play Workbench
Step 8

Install the Tool Holder as shown with small L brackets.

Finishing Instructions

Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School

// Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you ONLY use 1 image and provide an ADEQUATE link back to the original source and appropriate plan! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential. By accessing or using any part of the web site, you agree to become bound by the terms and conditions of this website as outlined under our terms of service. If you do not agree to all the terms and conditions of this agreement, then you may not access the Website or use any services. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by The Design Confidential.com and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, personal injury or death, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of information or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website. I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it. The Design Confidential.com is inspired by but does not replicate exact designs, any similarities between these plans and items sold at specialty retailers is coincidential and not endorsed by or related to any said retailers. // Post May Contain Affiliate Links

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