Toy cabin

Use reclaimed wood and a bit of Resene know-how to create this fabulous toy cabin, perfect for indoor play or outdoors on a fine day.

Build a wooden toy cabin

Resene Toys and Games with Mark Rayner - Project 40

Difficulty level: Challenging

You will need

Timber: 130mm x 20mm reclaimed tongue and groove timber cut and assembled to the following sizes:

420mm x 560mm (x2) – side wall
600mm x 560mm – back wall
640mm x 430mm – front wall
600mm x 400mm – floor
700mm x 295mm (x2) - roof
40mm x 600mm (x2) - base supports
30mm x 640mm (x4) - roof supports
130mm x 600mm - front roof support
2 x equilateral triangular sections measuring 500mm (base) x 280mm (sides) – roof eaves
130mm x 290mm – door
20mm x 130mm – inner doorstep

10mm reclaimed wood cut to the following dimensions:

430mm x 35mm (x2) – front wall side trims
570mm x 35mm – front wall base trim
15mm x 200mm (x4) – window side trims
15mm x 80mm (x2) – window top trims
20mm x 125mm (x2) – windowsills
4mm clear acrylic cut to 90mm x 20mm (x2) – windowpanes
Small piece of wood for door handle

Other materials:

30mm panel pins
35mm screws
45mm screws
2 x 50mm hinges for front wall
2 x 25mm hinges for door
Resene Aquaclear Satin
Wood glue

Tools:

1.5mm, 3mm and 10mm drill bits
Circular saw
Cordless drill
Hammer
Jigsaw
Paintbrush
Pencil
Sandpaper
Screwdriver
Tape measure

To get the look: Mark painted the background wall with Resene AquaShield tinted to Resene Pipi.

Other ideas: For a darker effect, stain the cabin with Resene Colorwood tinted to Resene Walnut before applying the Resene Aquaclear.

Top tip: Store the cabin indoors to keep it looking good for longer. If the toy cabin will only be used outdoors, use Resene Waterborne Woodsman in place of Resene Colorwood.

How to build a wooden toy cabin

Step 1 Step one
Measure, mark and cut the timber to the measurements listed above and then assemble and glue the four wall panels and floor. Allow the glue to dry and then sand any rough edges.

Step 2 Step two
Attach the two side walls and the back wall to the floor and fit the front roof support into position, as shown. Fix with wood glue and 45mm screws, drilling 3mm pilot holes first. Allow glue to dry.

Step 3 Step three
Measure, mark and cut approximately 80mm from the top edge of the structure, leaving the walls at 440mm high. Sand any rough edges.

Step 4 Step four
Attach the two roof eaves to the outside of the side walls (overlapping by approximately 20mm) and then attach the four roof supports, as shown. Fix all with wood glue and 35mm and 45mm screws, drilling 3mm pilot holes first. Allow wood to dry.

Step 5 Step five
Attach the roof into position, fixing with wood glue and panel pins, drilling 1.5mm pilot holes first. Attach the two base supports to the underside of the floor, fixing with wood glue and 35mm screws, drilling 3mm pilot holes first. Allow glue to dry.

Step 6 Step six
Using the jigsaw, cut a 133mm x 335mm opening for the door and two 95mm x 205mm holes for the windows (drill a 10mm hole get the jigsaw cut started). Sand rough edges and then fit all the trims listed above to the front wall, fixing with wood glue and panel pins, drilling 1.5mm pilot holes first.

Step 7 Step seven
Glue the door handle, inner doorstep and windowpanes into position and allow the glue to dry. Attach the door into position using 25mm hinges and fix the front wall onto the cabin using the 50mm hinges.