Baby steps... wooden stools for toddlers and tots

These baby step stools are fun to make and small children can use then as seats or as a step stool. Small children have difficulty reaching a sink, or climbing on a toilet and these sturdy baby step stools make it easier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

YOU WILL NEED:

5 of 69 x 400mm PAR pine - top and sides

2 of 69 x 155mm PAR pine - sides

4 of 69 x 200mm PAR pine - legs

4 x 35mm screws

Wood glue

Woodoc gel stain in your choice of tint

Rust-Oleum 2X satin spray paint in your choice of colour - we used satin sweet pea and satin aqua

Woodoc 25W water-borne sealer - matt white

Wax candle or crayon

 

 

TOOLS:

Drill / Driver plus assorted bits

Paintbrush

120-grit sandpaper

 

 

Buy everything your need from your local Builders Warehouse.

 

 

HERE'S HOW:

 

 

1. Assemble the frame using 35mm screws. 

 

 

 

 

2. Attach the boards for the seat. Use two 35mm screws at both ends.

 

 

 

 

3. When attaching the legs, use wood glue in addition to two 35mm screws through the sides and into each one of the legs.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Sand all the rough edges and wipe clean before applying your choice of Woodoc gel stain.

 

 

 

 

5. To give the steps an aged look I rubbed a wax crayon along the edges and along the seams on the top. After painting you will rub these areas with 120-grit sandpaper to remove the paint. Also use the sandpaper on edges around the sides and on the legs to give the stool a distressed look.

 

 

 

 

6. Lightly spray the top of the seat with your choice of Rust-Oleum 2X satin spray paint colour and let this dry.

 

 

 

 

7. Use 120-grit sandpaper over the waxed areas to take back the paint to bare wood.

 

 

8. Apply three coats of Woodoc 25W water-borne sealer over the entire step stool. Follow the instructions on the can for proper application. This is especially important if the stool will be used in a bathroom. The sealer will protect from water, so be sure to add to the base of the legs as well.