How to Build an Outdoor Toy Chest

Sand Toys

Many parents use a toybox to store their children's toys in a playroom or bedroom. This handy storage compartment is also useful outdoors. Sand toys, pool toys, balls and skateboards are some of the items that can get scattered or lost when not put away. An outdoor toybox should be large enough for some big toys and durable enough to withstand weather conditions all year long

Things You'll Need

• Two 1 inch x 10 inch boards
• Tape measure
• Handsaw or circular saw
• 5 doublewide 2 ½ inch corner braces with screws
• ¾ inch plywood sheets -- 32 ½ x 13 ½
• ¾ inch plywood sheet -- 16 inches x 34 inches
• Screwdriver
• 3 Strap hinges with screws
• Drill
• Sandpaper
• Clear polyurethane finish
• Colored spraypaint
• Rope -- 3 feet
• Utility knife

Instructions

Wooden Toy Box Idea

1. Lay the first 1x10 board on a flat surface. Measure 34 inches from one end and draw a straight line across the board. Repeat with the other 1x10 board. Cut the plywood base to 32 ½ x 13 ½ inches if it is not already that size. Cut the top to 16 x 34 inches if it is not already that size. Cut the other boards along the straight lines drawn at 34 inches.

2. Lay the ¾-inch plywood base on a flat surface. Find the middle of the 13 ½-inch side (6 ¾ inches) and attach one corner brace with the vertical side flush with the edge of the plywood. Repeat on the opposite side. Divide the 32 ½ inch side into thirds and attach a corner brace at each third (~10 7/8 inches). Place each brace with the vertical side flush with the edge of the plywood to allow easy attachment of the sides.

3. Place one 1x10 board vertically along the 32 ½-inch side of the plywood base. The board should overlap the base so the bottom edges are even. Screw it into the two corner braces attached to the plywood bottom. Repeat with the ends and the opposite side. Measure two inches down from the top of the toybox and attach a corner brace in each corner to two sides.

4. Lay the 16x34 inch plywood sheet on the top of the toybox. All edges should be flush. Measure along one 34-inch side and make marks at 3 inches, 17 inches and 29 inches. Attach the strap hinges to the top and side of the toybox at these spots. Drill two holes three inches apart on a short side of the box. Repeat on the opposite side. Handles will be attached here after painting.

5. Take the box apart and remove all metal hardware. Sand all the wood and apply at least two coats of polyeurothane sealer to all wood surfaces. Paint the hardware any color desired with spraypaint. Allow all paint to dry before reassembling the toybox. Cut the rope into two equal lengths. Insert one end of the first rope into one hole and tie a knot on the inside. Insert the other end of the same rope into the other hole three inches away and tie another knot on the inside. Add wood glue to the knots and allow it to dry. Repeat for the opposite side. These will be the handles to move the box when necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a safety lid support to prevent the lid from slamming down unexpectedly and causing injury. The box should be repainted annually with polueurethane to keep it weather resistant over several years

References

• AZ Woodman: Toybox
• Do It Yourself: Toybox

Resources

• Hardware Resource: Toybox Parts