How to Make a Super Cute Bench For Kids

13 Materials
$20
2 Days
Medium
I am always trying to come up with new ideas for projects. Having a little one in the family that loves my projects because many are for her, this one was by far her favourite.
Animal Bench
Step 1. I needed to find a way to blow my image up to a large size. I can not draw to save my life so this was the easiest way I could think off. I found the image I wanted and used my cheap holiday project to blow it up on the wall. I then traced the image onto brown paper which would serve as my template. I used carbon paper between the wood and the brown paper to trace the image onto the wood
Animal Bench
Step 2. I used a jigsaw to cut out my images using tape around the edges to stop any splintering of the wood. (Mine was Formply)
Animal Bench
Step 3. I cut 2 straight pieces of wood for the bench seat and the back rest.
Animal Bench
Step 4. I cut 2 small pieces of wood and attached them to the inside of the animal cut out, this is where the bench will be attached. You will need to do the same for the backrest. I drilled holes in the bench countersunk the holes so the screws would sit flush with the bench. So no sharp edges are sticking out to cause any injury.
Animal Bench
Step 5. I screwed the bench together to make sure it all fit together before painting.
Animal Bench
Step 6. I painted the the whole bench with white chalk paint, and used the brown paper cutouts with the carbon paper to trace the image details over the chalk paint, and painted my bench using acrylic paints. I started to seal my paint with polyurethane using a roller but found straight away that the paint smudged. So to prevent this I sealed it first with 2 coats of spray polyurethane. And once that was dry I added 3 more layers of poly to make the bench "Toddler Proof"
Animal Bench
Step 7. Give it to your favourite toddler and watch her face light up with joy. This bench was make to go with the craft table in the picture. To see detailed step by step instructions. For the table http://uniquecreationsbyanita.com/how-to-make-a-kids-craft-table/ and For the bench http://uniquecreationsbyanita.com/how-to-make-a-zebra-bench-seat/


I can not actually cost this project because most of my materials are recycled and the paints I have a stock of at home.
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