Today’s project

If you have children (or grandchildren), you know that the holidays always bring a flood of new toys. This do-it-yourself toy chest and bench is a fun and simple way to help contain the rising tide. It features plenty of storage for toys inside, a bench top perfect for tying shoes or reading and a cheerful stenciled design (Noah’s Ark, three animals and a rainbow) that really brightens a child’s room.

What you need

Built from just one 4-by-6 sheet of plywood, the chest requires only six pieces in all and includes full-size patterns for all the curved cuts.

What you do

Construction is simple: Just trace the pieces onto plywood, cut them out, sand and assemble with glue and nails. Finish with a nontoxic paint and decorate with easy-to-use stencils. A great holiday surprise for a special little person in your life, it can even be personalized with a child’s name.

The toy chest and bench measures about 32 inches long by 17 inches deep by 24 inches tall (at the back) and can be mounted on casters for easy mobility.

How to order the plan

The toy chest and bench plan with Noah’s Ark stencils, No. 248ST, is $14.95 and includes full-size traceable patterns, assembly instructions, construction diagrams, a shopping list and cutting schedule, a toll-free help line for project questions and a large plastic stencil. Without the stencil, the plan (No. 248) is $9.95.

A package of four plans for children’s furniture, No. C79, is $24.95 and includes this project (plan only) plus a table and chairs, a rocking chair and a desk. A catalog picturing hundreds of do-it-yourself projects is $2.00. Please include $3.00 for postage and handling (except catalog-only orders) and allow about two weeks for delivery.

To order by mail, clip this article and send it with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, c/o (insert name of publication here), P.O. Box 2383, Van Nuys, CA 91409.

To order by credit card, call (800) 828-2453. Visit U-Bild on the Web at u-bild.com