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Kid's Kit: Doll Bed

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Make a kit for your kids to build their own doll bed! Free tutorial and video from Ana-White.com

One Saturday on a building supply shopping trip for the Momplex, we noticed a different energy in the Home Depot. The store was abuzz with energy and laughter and little voices - like a busy playground on a sunny day.

My little girl grabbed my hand and said, Mom, let's go see what is going on! So we followed the happiest sound on earth to discover the Home Depot Kids Building workshop.

She does look good in orange, doesn't she?

They gave her a kit to make a Turkey Napkin Holder. 

The pieces were all cut out and she was given glue and a screw driver to assemble.  

Of course, Grace is no stranger to building.  But this was new to her - to have her own project, made easy for her to build all by herself.

Don't forget the glue!

Then she got to paint it how she wanted to.

And of course they had sticker too.

At the end, Home Depot gave her a little badge for her apron, and Grace was begging to come back for the next Home Depot Kids Workshop.  We certainly are going to try, but we live 100 miles from Home Depot, and can't always make the workshops, so I started thinking ... what if I made her some kits at home?  Kits that I could share with you for your kids too?

Grace's birthday is right around the corner, and I thought, maybe the birthday guests are old enough to make and paint their own doll bed at the birthday party?  So I designed this Kid's Doll Bed Kit (see plans below) out of 1x2s and 1x3s, the cheapest possible wood because when you multiply the kits by 10 things can add up fast! This kit cost about $2 for the bed, so you can afford to let her "make it her own" or a dozen kits for parties.  Or if you had multiple kids to buy for, or say you wanted to make up a bunch of kits for Christmas gifts.

We cut the pieces and opted to pre-assemble the kit to step 2 but if you have an older child, they may be able to build from the cut pieces.  

And then we decided to see if she could build it.  Here's what happened:

Yes!  She can and loved building the doll bed!

I do apologize for the poor light quality - we are just a week away from the darkest day of the year and it's pretty much dark or dusky all the time up here in Alaska.  Also, ignore my current project in the background there ... it's almost done!

So what do you think?  Should I put together more plans for kits that you could put together to inspire DIY in your kids?  I can just see a tool caddy kit under the tree with a drill!  

PS - This post is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Home Depot.  They looked at me like I was just another crazy mom taking zillions of pictures of her kid.  Which I am.

PSS - Want a tutorial on the doll quilt?  Let me know!

PS - Want to convert singles to a bunk?

Here's a quick tutorial on how to do that:

Or you could just make the legs twice as long for fixed bunks!

Dimensions
Dimensions shown above. Designed to fit American Girl or other 18" doll

Preparation

Shopping List

12 feet lof 1x2 boards (the furring strips were used in this plan/video)
16" of 1x3 (can substitute 1x2s here)
8" 2" screws
Hot glue or 1 1/4" finish nails and glue

Cut List

HEADBOARD/FOOTBOARD
4 - 1x2 @ 9 1/2"
2 - 1x3 @ 8" (can use 1x2s here)
2 - 1x2 @ 8"

RAILS
2 - 1x2 @ 18 1/2"
2 - 1x2 @ 17 3/4"

1/4" plywood or sturdy cardboard for the mattress support

Cutting Instructions

Use a jigsaw to round the 1x3 top corners down if desired. I just grabbed a large jar and traced it as a pattern on the corners.

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Drill
Jigsaw
General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

We went ahead and build the headboards first. You can screw or nail, or if you have a hot glue gun, that works really well too. Build two headboards.

Of course an easier way would be to just use a wider width board for the headboard (for example 1x8 or 1x6 - but this adds to the overall cost and I was trying to keep costs as low as possible).

Step 2

Now attach the bed base support to the siderails. Again, nails, screws or hotglue does the trick.

Step 3

You can let your kids then assemble the pieces. Then have them measure and cut from sturdy cardboard a platform for the mattress and place in the bed.

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
Project Type
Toys
Room
Kids and Toys
Style
Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans

Comments

whitney_smith

Thu, 12/13/2012 - 10:57

Oh my gosh that was the cutest thing! I love her excitement! And it was nice to see Jacob in a video too!

And I LOVE what you have going on in the background!!! :)

Andrea B. (not verified)

Thu, 12/13/2012 - 11:00

I love this! DD already has a bed for her AG doll that I purchased at Ikea but, with a second doll coming, she'll need another. What a great project for her to work on during Christmas break. I'd also love a quilt tutorial. I know I could wing it on my own but I'm so much happier when I have a pattern to spell out what to do.

Regina @ Chalk… (not verified)

Thu, 12/13/2012 - 11:08

Ana -- I love your site and this is my first time commenting. I would jump at the opportunity for wood kits to enjoy with my daughter. There are so many great projects for little hands to build: birdhouses, pencil holders, cars ect. I used to give my second grade students some wood scraps and nails and they'd create some amazing sculptures. I hope to see some more children's build projects, I think it's a fantastic idea!

Jenny Lisk (not verified)

Thu, 12/13/2012 - 11:32

Hi Ana - I would *love* to see some more kids kits. I'm a scout leader (3rd grade cub scouts, and kindergarten girl scouts) and struggle to find / adapt projects to be kid-friendly. I'm planning to have the boys build toolboxes as a first project in January...any chance of whipping out a simple plan for that? :) Otherwise I'll stick with the plan in the cub scout book.

In addition to scout projects, my kids would love to do such projects at home :)

PS - thanks for coming to Seattle! My kids and all all loved seeing you and talking to you there :)

Katie Keys (not verified)

Thu, 12/13/2012 - 12:05

Ana,
This is just beautiful!! Not only Grace - but the way you're empowering Grace to build and help her achieve!! Just beautiful!!!

Katie

Garett_h (not verified)

Thu, 12/13/2012 - 12:10

So my oldest has been wanting an American Doll craft party for her birthday theme this year. This is going to be a hit with all the girls! I had know idea something like this could be possible on our budget. Amazing! Thanks so much! I'm also going to have to get her that drill!

Anonymous Coward (not verified)

Thu, 12/13/2012 - 12:24

Definitely like the idea of kits for various things.

Many of your kid'sn projects are kit-friendly already. Those who want can finish the project, those who want to "kit-i-fy it can package it with the printed instructions and hardware.

Melissa G (not verified)

Thu, 12/13/2012 - 12:49

I love it! Where did you get that cute little drill?? My 4 year old boy needs something just like that! I'd love to see more kid kits, he loves to "build projects" with me, I'd love to let him "do his own"!

dmcarwin

Thu, 12/13/2012 - 13:12

OK, for one I love how Grace was giggling when she was drilling, my little five year old girl does the same thing when she is very excited...so cute!

Second, I have six kids and have been taking them to the home depot workshops and they love them! So of course I would love kit plans for kids, I want them to learn the love of building too!

And Third, I can't wait to see the finished project you are working on....!

Ute (not verified)

Thu, 12/13/2012 - 13:17

I love the idea of kits for kids.
Yes on the quilt tutorial!
I love your site and only wish I had the time to learn to build all the things that inspire me. Thank you!

bhoppy

Thu, 12/13/2012 - 16:04

You did such a beautiful job!! My 5 y. o. daughter loved watching you make the bed with your dad! And she also said she wants a pink drill now too:-) We live over an hour away from a home depot so the kid kit is a wonderful idea!

Andera (not verified)

Thu, 12/13/2012 - 19:33

Totally Love this bed!!!! I would love a quilt tutorial & more kids kit projects. You are A-MAZING!!!

timandmeg.net (not verified)

Thu, 12/13/2012 - 20:21

So perfect! I can't wait for my little girl to be old enough to host an American Girl Party! I love the idea of kits!
Our nephews and our kids would love to work on projects like this.
I second the earlier comment- Where did you get that little drill?!!!

Great job Ana. Thank you for all you do. Our home is FILLED with Ana projects and we are now tackling things we never would have before because of you. The kids need a desk? We build one in stead of going to IKEA.

Thank you.

Alli (not verified)

Thu, 12/13/2012 - 22:29

Love the kit ideas for kids. My daughter loves the Lowes and Home Depot workshops and it would be great to do some of these at home.

Rachel Knowles (not verified)

Fri, 12/14/2012 - 11:07

Keep the kit ideas coming. I LOVE it. And I have now found the theme for my daughter's bday party. The girls will be SOOOOOOOOO excited to make their own AG bed.

Jena (not verified)

Fri, 12/14/2012 - 18:09

Grace was just too cute!! My 9 y/o would love to make this for her AG and so would her friends-keep the kid ideas/kits coming!! Thanks!

Rebecca SPF (not verified)

Fri, 12/14/2012 - 19:52

I wish this was here just a week or so ago....I had a family member make doll beds for my kids (for Christmas gifts) that started with one of your plans and ended up something entirely different, and over double the intended price range. I could have done these on my own for a fraction of the cost. Live and learn. Thanks for your amazingly easy to do, and simple instructions for everyone to do! :)

Tami Peterson (not verified)

Sat, 12/15/2012 - 18:16

My girls do the Lowe's Build and Grow all the time. We live 55 miles from Home Depot but I want to check them out too. They love to build :-) My husband and I bought the wood today and they are getting these 'kits' for Christmas! I can't wait. Thank you so much for the awesome plans!!!!

Leigh (not verified)

Mon, 12/17/2012 - 08:31

This is WONDERFUL! Thank you! And yes, please design more kits. We can't always make it to the workshops, and when we do I am usually alone with 3 little ones. So having the ability to prep these kits here for them to build during the baby's naptime would be fabulous. Thanks again! This one will become my oldest son's Christmas gift to his younger sister. :)

Ana White

Mon, 12/17/2012 - 12:51

Thanks everyone for the lovely comments! So glad you like the kit idea, I am pretty excited about it myself! Grace really loved "building" this bed and I'm so glad to be able to share this with you and your children as well!

The drill is a SKIL IXO and is the real deal. It comes with a right angle attachment for reaching in tiny spots too - so I might be borrowing it!

Can't wait to put more kits together!

Ana

Tami S. (not verified)

Thu, 12/20/2012 - 22:50

OMG! I love this! My 9 year old son wants building stuff for Christmas so he is getting a hammer, screw drivers, sanding paper and wood glue along with a couple of kits (butterfly house and bird feeder). We were looking for kids building kits everywhere! The only ones that Lowes or Home Depot had were really pricey for what you got. I would LOVE to have kits designed by you! He actually wanted to give his sisters beds for their 18" dolls for Christmas but there was no way that I would have been able to get them done. This plan looks SO easy!! I wish I would have seen this when it was posted!

Desiree (not verified)

Sun, 12/23/2012 - 17:52

My 7 year old daughter is getting an AG doll for christmas and we are hoping to bulid her the bed between now and christmas!! These are absolutley adorable and look easy enough for me as im a little tool challenged! ;) you dont happen to have the bedding/quilt plans posted anywhere do you?? Hoping to do this tomorrow!!

Jody N (not verified)

Wed, 01/02/2013 - 13:32

Hi Ana,
Just want to say, you are awesome! Just found your site through pintrest and have been browsing all afternoon. My 6 year old daughter really wants to make the American Doll beds at her party, thanks so much for this great idea, And it is so easy and inexpensive! I would also love the pattern to the bedding. Now back to my neglected laundry.

Jody Navratil (not verified)

Wed, 01/02/2013 - 13:33

Hi Ana,
Just want to say, you are awesome! Just found your site through pintrest and have been browsing all afternoon. My 6 year old daughter really wants to make the American Doll beds at her party, thanks so much for this great idea, And it is so easy and inexpensive! I would also love the pattern to the bedding. Now back to my neglected laundry.

Carrie M (not verified)

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 18:09

I love this bed kit idea and want to use it for my daughter's 7th birthday. Anyone have any ideas of an easy plan or decoration idea for the 2 boys coming to the party? I plan on painting them white and letting the girls decorate them. Target had stamper in the $ section, so I'm all set.

missypoo1974

Fri, 07/19/2013 - 12:40

I have wanted to start doing wood working for a while, but was always a little intimidated. Thank you for introducing it in a way that was possible for me to follow. I made this bed as my first ever "100% all by myself" project. It is FAR from perfect, but I did it!!

Marisa.Anderson

Wed, 11/06/2013 - 12:48

I am making these for my 3 kids for Christmas this year. I'm going to make them into bunk beds though and cut the legs 19" instead of 9.5". Can't wait to see them when they are done. Thanks so much for the great plans!

cdahlgren

Thu, 10/02/2014 - 21:28

I can't wait to make this for my Granddaughter. She's only 3, so I don't think she can make this yet, but give her a year or two. I'm sure she'll get more dolls that will need beds, and I quilt, so I can teach her how to make quilts for her new beds. So excited!

Ana White Admin

Wed, 01/14/2015 - 10:43

Really depends on the child but any age child could help and the adult could give more or less help depending on the child's level of skill. Grace was 5 when she did this project.

kine97

Sat, 04/07/2018 - 06:39

I LOVE this!  My granddaughter just got her first AG doll & wanted the beds.  I'm going to surprise her with a couple of them (to stack).  Thanks so much for the plans!

Frequently Asked Questions

Wood Questions

What kind of wood should I use?
Most of our plans use standard construction lumber like pine or fir. It's affordable, easy to work with, and easy to find. It's also rapidly renewing and biodegradable, so a great eco friendly choice!

Can I use hardwoods instead?
Yes—just keep in mind they're heavier, cost more, and can be tougher on tools and harder to join together and finish. I recommend not tackling a hardwood project until after you have built several softwood projects.

What if my boards are warped?
Choose the straightest boards at the store. You can often work around slight warps by cutting them into shorter pieces.

What wood should I use for outdoor furniture?
Use red-toned or pressure-treated 2x lumber for framing, and cedar or cedar fence pickets for the decking. Outdoor furniture should be built like a deck—your local home center can help recommend the right wood for your climate.

Will my wood move or warp after I build?
Potentially, especially in humid climates. Let your wood acclimate indoors before building. Once acclimated and kept in a stable environment, movement should be minimal. Remember, most houses are built using framing lumber - it's all about keeping moisture down indoors.

Cutting Questions

Do I need a miter saw?
A miter saw is great, creating fast, safe, and precise cuts, even for beginners. But most plans can be built with a circular saw and a straight edge. If using a circular saw to cut, take time to practice, and get good at making cuts, before cutting your project boards.

How do I get clean cuts with a circular saw?
Clamp your board, measure twice, cut slow, and use a sharp blade. This takes practice, so spend some time making cuts. I go through becoming proficient at freehand cutting in my course, it is worth taking if you want to master this skill.

Will the store cut my wood?
Yes—most stores will do rough cuts to help you transport your materials home. But from store to store, the quality of cuts could greatly vary.

Joinery Questions

What screws should I use?
We recommend star-head self tapping screws for framing, most common sizes are 2-1/2", 1-3/4". Pre-drill if close to the edge or you find your wood is splitting.

Do I have to use pocket holes?
Pocket holes are the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to do some joints - like edge to edge or a hidden fastener joint. There are other methods, but these can be time consuming and expensive. We recommend using pocket holes as indicated in plans for best results.

How do I keep things square?
Use a speed square and measure diagonals after each step. Always clamp joints before screwing to keep them tight and flush.

Finishing Questions

Stain or paint before or after building?
A quick sand before and a full finish after gives the best results. Pre-finish if you're doing two-tone or detailed finishes.

What type of finish?
Use oil-based or water-based stain. For paint, cabinet-grade latex or enamel works great. High use surfaces on indoor projects should get a coat of polyurethane, I recommend a Helsman or Spar or other flexible poly that won't crack or peel with wood movement. For exterior projects, use a finish suitable for exterior fences.

How to get a smooth finish?
Start with a well sanded project. Sand between coats (220 grit), wipe clean, and apply light coats with a foam brush or roller.

Plan Questions

Can I change the size?
Many people do, and that's the great thing about building your own furniture! But do keep in mind going bigger might mean more supports are required, and often plans are optimized for minimal material waste.

Are these beginner-friendly?
Yes—plans are written with simple tools and clear steps in mind, with every effort to make plans as simple as possible.

Can I sell what I build?
Absolutely! Just don’t resell or repost the plans themselves.

General Questions

What tools do I really need?
A drill, circular saw, tape measure, square, and a few clamps will get you through most projects.

Do I need a workshop?
Nope! A driveway or small patio is plenty to get started, just make sure you have a level place to work. If you find you are building several projects a year, creating a small workbench is a great way to store tools and have a dedicated workspace.

What if I mess up?
Wood filler, sanding, or flipping boards goes a long way. Mistakes are part of the process!

What can I do to make my projects look more professional?
Start with straight boards, make accurate cuts, clamp all joints, and line up everything neatly. Sand thoroughly, use a neutral finish, and apply it in light coats for a clean look.

I've never built anything before. Where should I start?
Start with a few smaller softwood projects to get hands-on experience. Or if you're tackling a big project, buy a little extra lumber and practice your cuts and joints first. If possible, work with someone who has a bit of experience.

Care & Maintenance

How long will my furniture last?
With good joinery and regular care, your DIY furniture can last for decades. I have pieces in my own home that are over 20 years old and still going strong! One of the best parts about DIY furniture is that it’s easy to repaint, refinish, or repair—so your projects can grow and adapt with you.

How should I care for outdoor furniture?
Lightly pressure wash or hose it down once or twice a year. Tighten screws and reapply finish as needed to protect it—just like a deck or fence. A little upkeep goes a long way in extending the life of your furniture.

How about indoor furniture?
Regularly dust or wipe with a damp cloth. If it starts to look worn, a light sanding and touch-up paint or stain can refresh it in no time. DIY pieces are meant to be durable and fixable—so don’t be afraid to give them some love now and then.

Want to Build with Confidence?

Check out my ebook: 12 Skills to Build Your Own Furniture
It walks you through the core skills every builder needs—measuring, cutting, joinery, and finishing—so you can build beautiful furniture that lasts.

Still Have Questions?

Email us anytime at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help!