DIY Network

Woodworking Projects From "Today Show Tips" episode DTST-119

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Build a Toybox

You can clean up all those toys that are scattered around the house and put them in a plastic container. Or if you want something that looks good, you can build a wooden toybox that will outlast your kids' childhood. You can adapt the toybox to suit other storage needs, too — on the deck or patio or in the garage, for example.

• Choose the material you'll use. Pine works for indoor boxes; MDF works outside. Other outdoor options include redwood and cedar. You can stain pine, but MDF needs paint.

• Planning ahead can save you some work. Call the home center and ask them to cut the lumber to size for you. Then the only tools you'll need for this project are a hammer and nails.
  

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• You can also consider some decorative cut-outs for the box, too. If you want to do that, you'll need a jigsaw. And of course, if you have a more extensive collection of tools, you can use a finish nailer instead of a hammer.

• Attach the pieces of the box with glue as well as nails. It will be more durable.

• To finish the box, you can keep it simple or get creative. You can stain pine; MDF needs paint. If the box is wood, you can just put polyurethane on it and leave it the natural color of the wood. You can enlist the kids' help to decoupage the lid.
  
  
• Some other decorative options are using metal bands and distressing the wood to make the toybox look like a treasure chest, or put a cushion on the top and use it as extra seating.

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