How to Build an Open-Top Toy Box

Measure and cut your pieces to the desired size. You will need three pieces the same size and two pieces that are the same size. For instance, if you want to make a 2-by-4-foot toy box that stands 2 feet tall, measure three pieces that are 2 by 4 feet. These will be your longer sides and the bottom. Then measure two pieces that are 2 feet by 1 foot 10 inches. This will make it 2 feet across exactly when added to the 1-inch-thick sides.

Attach the sides to each other, then attach the bottom. Nail the sides into a rectangle with the boards measuring 2 feet by 1 foot 10 inches on the inside of the 2-by-4-foot boards with the 1-foot-10-inch measurement as the width and the 2-foot measurement as the height. Nail the last 2-by-4-foot board to the bottom.

Sand the entire box. Do all the surfaces, concentrating on the edges and corners. Run a cloth over the edges to check for snags. If the cloth catches, sand the area until smooth.

Paint the toy box. This is where you can get really creative. Paint your kid's interests on the box. You can even personalize the toy box with the child's name. Just use stencils.

Line the inside. The inside of the toy box with can be lined with fabric that matches your paint job. Just stick it on with tacky glue. If you use a thin layer spread evenly over the fabric, the glue shouldn't come through. Fabric lining can help keep any stray splinters from getting out into the toys.