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A clever two-in-one toddler seat: a small open box with a seat panel set off-center, so flipping it over gives you two different seat heights from one chair. It grows a little with the kid, and it's about the simplest useful thing you can build for a toddler.
The whole design hinges on one layout — the 'T' shape where the seat meets the two backs. Use one of your boards to lightly draw that T and locate the screw holes, then drill evenly spaced, countersunk holes on both sides so the screws sink flush and fill clean. The maker's tip is worth keeping: glue the seat-to-back joints so you have fewer holes to fill, and only add pocket-hole screws there if you actually enjoy filling and sanding.
Cut the two side boards together so they end up exactly the same — measure your actual boards clamped as a pair and cut to that number, because nominal 1x10 varies. Then round every corner and edge generously: this is furniture a small child climbs on, and a no-VOC paint keeps it safe to chew on, which toddlers will.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 1x10, 4 ftSides and seat. | 1 each |
| 1x8, 14"Back. | 1 each |
| 1x6, 14"Back. | 1 each |
| Self-tapping wood screws, 1-3/4" | 20 each |
| Wood glue | 2 oz |
| No-VOC paint | 1 each |
Overall cost: $. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Sides1x10Measure both boards together and cut to that exact number so they're flush (~13-11/16"). | 2 | 3/4" × 9 1/4" × 13 3/4" |
| Seat1x10 | 1 | 3/4" × 9 1/4" × 14" |
| Back (wide)1x8 | 1 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 14" |
| Back (narrow)1x6 | 1 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 14" |
Buy 3 boards at 8 ft.
1 board
1 board
1 board
Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →
Use one of the boards to lightly draw and locate the 'T' where the seat and backs meet the sides. Mark and drill evenly spaced, countersunk holes on both sides. Getting the T layout right is what makes the flip work with even, clean joints.
Glue and screw the seat and the two back boards to the sides. Glue the joint where the backs meet the seat and rely on it, so you have fewer holes to fill — add pocket-hole screws there only if you don't mind the extra filling and sanding. The seat sits off-center, which is what gives the two heights when you flip the chair.
Sand the whole chair and round every corner and edge to make it kid-friendly. Fill the countersink holes and sand again. Finish with a no-VOC paint. Flip it either way up for the low or the taller seat.
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