DIY Network

Create a Play Kitchen

Crafter Michele Beschen, creator of the B Original series, tells how to create a one-of-a-kind play kitchen.

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Creating a one-of-a-kind play kitchen with this set of pint-size appliances could be a fun project for both your and your child.

Pint-size appliances are fun for young and old alike

By Michele Beschen

Whenever I am working on a project that is geared toward kids. everything always seems to become more playful than usual. It's like I've just given myself permission to take my imagination to the next level.

I think that's why this set of pint-size appliances is one of my all-time favorite projects. I had so much fun coming up with the different materials to use to create a one-of-a-kind play kitchen. And it all comes with the highly desired stamp of approval from my 4-year-old chef and all her little chef friends.

If you or someone you know has little ones at home who like to help out in the kitchen, this is a project worth tackling. I promise you will have just as much fun putting it all together as the kids will have playing with it.

To create this three-piece set, we used two of the commonly available 12-by-12 (actually they are 11-7/8 inches by 11-7/8 inches) cube organizers and then one of the slightly taller units for the refrigerator/freezer.

The first thing we did to each of the units after assembling them was to give them a bit of a rise by attaching a square base made out of 2x4s, actually two cut 7-3/4 inches long and two cut 10-3/4 inches long. First screw base together and then screw the base to the cube from inside the cube. We added four small casters to each corner to make the units mobile.

For proper placement of the base on the "stove" you'll want to leave the opening of the cube facing forward. For the "sink" you'll want the opening of the cube facing upwards. For the refrigerator, opening should be facing forward.

To cover the 2x4s and dress up what is to become a kick plate, we stapled a single length of aluminum garden edging to it (this particular edging was just the right width, so there was no need to trim down).

Now for details to the pint-sized stove:

Oven front: Cut a piece of 1/2-inch piece of white medium density fiberboard (MDF) to the outer dimensions of your cube opening. We also cut out the center, routering out a "rabbit" (using a straight cut router bit), or inner lip, to accommodate a piece of acrylic to sit on (tack in with glue) for a realistic looking glass door oven front.

Attach by installing two small hinges to the bottom of the inside of the door and the inside of the cube. To latch, install a magnetic clasp.

Stovetop: We glued four black rubber coasters to the top of our cube and painted a swirl design inside each coaster for a set of "burners." We cut another piece of 1/2-inch MDF, 4-3/8 inches high, to the width of our cube. We secured to the back with a bracket and screws. For the knobs, we painted wooden knobs and screwed them to the MDF. Two more drawer pulls were screwed into the side to hang utensils or towels from 's' hooks.

Pint-size sink:

Cut another piece of 1/2-inch MDF to your sink cube's outer dimensions. Cut a hole in the center that fits your bowl (best to find a bowl with a rim all the way around; that way it sits nicely over the opening).

Cut a short piece of closet dowel to fit the width of your plumbing elbow and screw into the center backside of your sink top from underneath.

Secure MDF over the top of your cube opening with nails or glue. For the hot and cold handles, we just glued on large wooden balls that came with a flat base.

Pint-size refrigerator/freezer:

This taller cube unit is also available with a door already attached if you don't want to hassle with cutting out another piece of MDF. We, however, wanted to have separate doors for the refrigerator and the freezer, so we just cut to size two more pieces of the MDF. Our freezer door was measured to the shelf placement inside, so it opened up to the same division inside as what was portrayed outside. We attached with hinges and used another magnetic clasp for closure.

For an added touch, paint your MDF with a base coat of magnetic paint. That way, the little ones can cover it with miniature artwork!

With a few enhancements, these organizers can give a kid everything he or she needs to do a little cooking, a little cleaning and a little chilling.

(Michele Beschen is creator of the B Original series for the DIY Network. Contact her at www.couragetocreate.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)

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