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Furniture

Kids’ Step Stool

Step-by-step build — 11 steps. Also available as a print sheet.

  1. 1Start with the Outer Sides

    • Cut four Outer Sides to length from a 1x4 board, as shown in the cutting diagram.
    • Then, clamp two Outer Sides together and drill a 1 1/2" hole where shown. Do the same with the other Outer Sides. When the step stool sides are fully assembled, these holes will become the outer ends of the handle holes.
    Kids’ Step Stool — step photo 5

  2. 2Make the Other Side Parts

    Cut two Side Handles from a 1 x 2 board, then cut and two Center Sides from a 1 x 6 board, as shown in the cutting diagram. With your pocket hole jig set up for 3/4" material, drill pocket holes in the Side Handles and the Center Sides where shown.

    Kids’ Step Stool — step photo 6

  3. 3Assemble the Sides

    • Now you can create the side assemblies.
    • Start by attaching the Outer Sides to the Side Handle and Center Side, as shown. Secure the pieces using 1 1/4" coarse-thread Kreg Pocket-Hole Screws.
    • Glue in Kreg Pocket-Hole Plugs, and then sand them flush.
    Kids’ Step Stool — step photo 7

  4. 4Shape the Sides

    • Now you can lay out the curves on the side assemblies. Using a compass, mark the upper corners as shown.
    • Then mark the lower arch.
    • Cut these curves with a jigsaw, and then sand the cut edges smooth. This is also a good time to round over all of the sharp edges by sanding them. You’ll want to start with coarse sandpaper, such as 80-grit, to remove material.
    • Then use finer grits (100 or 120) to smooth the surfaces.
    Kids’ Step Stool — step photo 8

  5. 5Make the Seat Parts

    Cut two Outer Seats and one Center Seat from a 1 x 4 board, as shown in the cutting diagram. Drill Pocket holes in the Outer Seats where shown.

    Kids’ Step Stool — step photo 9

  6. 6Assemble the Seat

    Attach the Outer Seats to the Center Seat using 1 1/4" coarse-thread Kreg Pocket-Hole Screws, as shown. Then round over the edges of the seat assembly—but not the lower ends.

    Kids’ Step Stool — step photo 10

  7. 7Make a Seat Support

    Cut the Seat Support to length, as shown in the cutting diagram. Then drill pocket holes where shown.

    Kids’ Step Stool — step photo 11

  8. 8Assemble the Parts

    Secure the Seat Support to one side assembly where shown using 1 1/4" coarse-thread Kreg Pocket-Hole Screws.

    Kids’ Step Stool — step photo 12

  9. 9Add the Seat

    Attach the seat assembly to the side assembly and to the Seat Support with 1 1/4" coarse-thread Kreg Pocket-Hole Screws.

    Kids’ Step Stool — step photo 13

  10. 10Add the Final Side

    Secure the other side assembly with 1 1/4" coarse-thread Kreg Pocket-Hole Screws as shown.

    Kids’ Step Stool — step photo 14

  11. 11Paint or Stain the Step Stool

    With assembly complete, you can paint or stain the step stool. Before that, if you want, you could plug the remaining pocket holes. They really don’t show, so this is up to you. If you choose to fill them, you’ll need another 16 plugs.