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This is a proper little vending cart for pretend play: a counter to serve from, a lower tray for 'stock,' two big wheels and a handle so kids can pull it around, and an awning sign frame overhead. It's a fun build with a bit of everything — a frame, angled legs, wheels, and embedded joinery — which makes it a satisfying weekend project.
The detail that sets it apart is embedding the awning legs into the countertop. You notch the 1x12 top so the awning uprights pass through and anchor below, rather than just screwing them to the surface — with little kids leaning and pulling, you want the awning genuinely secure, not something that can topple. Drill starter holes larger than your jigsaw blade at the corners of each notch, then cut carefully to the line.
The back legs are angled with a 15° cut (long-point to short-point) so the cart tips slightly and rolls on its wheels like a hand truck, while the front legs stay straight. The wheels can be store-bought 5" rounds or cut from wood, bolted on with washers. Build the sign and the awning as separate sub-assemblies and attach them last. Sand everything thoroughly and use child-safe paint — this is a toy that gets handled hard.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 1x2 board, 8 ftCounter and tray frames, awning sides. | 2 each |
| 3/4" wood dowel, 5 ftHandle and awning rails. | 1 each |
| 1x12 board, 2 ftCountertop. | 1 each |
| 1x3 board, 12 ftLegs and awning legs. | 1 each |
| 1/4" plywood, 25-3/4" x 8-1/4"Tray bottom. | 1 each |
| 1x4 board, 21"Awning sign. | 1 each |
| 5" wheelsStore-bought rounds or cut from wood. | 2 each |
| 2" bolts with washers and nutsAxle for the wheels. | 2 each |
| Pocket and wood screws, 1-1/4" | 40 each |
| Child-safe paint and glue | 12 oz |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Countertop front/back support1x2 | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 28" |
| Countertop side support1x2 | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 9 3/4" |
| Handle3/4" dowel | 1 | 3/4" × 3/4" × 9 3/4" |
| Countertop1x12Notched for the awning legs. | 1 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 24" |
| Front legs1x3 | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 20" |
| Back legs1x3Both ends 15°, parallel (long point to short point). | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 20 3/4" |
| Tray sides1x2 | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 25 3/4" |
| Tray ends1x2 | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 6 3/4" |
| Tray bottom1/4" plywood | 1 | 1/4" × 8 1/4" × 25 3/4" |
| Awning legs1x3 | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 22 1/2" |
| Awning sign1x4 | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 21" |
| Awning sides1x2Back end can be cut 15° for an angled awning. | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 6" |
| Awning rails3/4" dowel | 2 | 3/4" × 3/4" × 19 1/2" |
Buy 8 boards at 8 ft.
1 board
1 board
2 boards
2 boards
Build the frame for the top tray with 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" screws; since the top reinforces the joints, glue and 18-gauge brad nails also work.
Mark the notch-outs in the 1x12 top for the awning legs. Drill starter holes larger than your jigsaw blade at the corners, then carefully cut the notches. Embedding the awning legs this way makes them secure so the awning can't topple on a child.
Attach the straight front legs on the handle side with 1-1/4" screws and glue (pocket screws work fine). Add the 15°-angled back legs the same way on the opposite side — the angle lets the cart tip and roll on its wheels.
Build the bottom tray with nails and glue; paint it now if you want a contrasting color. Screw the tray to the bottom of the cart with 1-1/4" screws — a scrap block cut to 4-3/4" makes a handy spacer to position it.
Build the sign by attaching the 1x4 to its two sides with pocket holes (this joint isn't reinforced). Insert the sign into the notched top and screw down from underneath. Build the awning separately — legs, sides, and dowel rails — and attach it last, into the notches you cut.
Bolt the 5" wheels on with washers so they spin. Sand every edge and corner round — this is a toy — and finish with child-safe paint.
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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 →