How to Make a Small Foot Bridge on a Budget

Purchase plywood from your local hardware store or online. If you're on a budget, purchase the wood at the hardware store to avoid shipping fees. Some hardware stores offer to cut your wood to size for free, so check if they will cut the plywood to the indicated sizes before you leave the store.

If you did not get the plywood cut to size, you can do it yourself using a table saw. Cut two 1-inch thick plywood blocks to measure 4-feet by 2-inches. The length of these blocks will be determined by the size of the gap you are trying to span with your foot bridge. For a longer gap you’ll need longer blocks, for a shorter gap, you’ll need shorter blocks.

Cut eight ½-inch thick plywood planks to measure 4-feet by 6-inches. The number of planks you use will be determined by the length of the gap. For a longer gap, you’ll need more planks, for a shorter gap, you’ll need fewer planks.

Place the two plywood blocks parallel to each other, 46-inches apart, so that the 4-foot by 2-inch faces of the blocks are pointed upwards. Then place the eight plywood planks on top of the two blocks, side by side and perpendicular to the blocks. There will be one inch of each plank sticking out on either side of the blocks.

Attach each plywood plank to the plywood blocks by driving three 1-inch long screws in through the plank and into the block. Each screw should be one inch from each other with the outermost screws one inch from the edges of the planks.

Rub the top face of each of the plywood planks with sandpaper to smooth out the wood and then brush on a coat of paint. Use whatever color you prefer to paint the small foot bridge.