Simple Children's Step Stool

One of the best ways to get your children involved in the kitchen is to provide them with a way to get on your level. If they can't see what's going on, they will lose interest. If they do want to cook, being higher will help prevent messes, allow them the right angles to cut and roll, and the stool can help them stay put.

This Simple Children's Stool took less than an hour to assemble and cost under $10.00. It took a bit longer to stain and paint because I had to wait for the stain to dry before I could paint it. I have three spread throughout the house; one in each bathroom so the kids can reach the sink to brush their teeth and one in the kitchen. 

What you'll need:

(This couldn't be easier.) 

1, 2 x 4 

1, 2 x 6

14-18, 2" screws

A saw

a cordless drill

drill bit

What you do:

Cut your 2 x 4 into the following lengths

4, 9 1/2" boards (legs)

2, 16" (long side of frame)

2, 3 1/2" (short side of frame)

Cut your 2 x 6 into  the following length

2, 18" (tops)

You should have a pile of wood that looks like this.

Step 1 Build the frame

The shorter pieces go inside the longer ones as seen below. I used one screw on each side, drilling a pilot hole first. 

I did one side toward the bottom of the board and the opposite side near the top. That way the piece in the middle doesn't twist.

Step 2 Attach the legs

Lay the frame on a flat surface. Set the leg up next to the frame. (When you are done attaching the legs, you will flip the frame over so it sets on the legs.) Insert one screw for each leg; drilling a pilot hole first. Then, check to make sure the leg is level before you insert the second screw. 

The legs go outside the frame. If you try to put them on the inside, the stool won't be as sturdy.

Step 3 Attach the top

Once you have all the legs on, you are ready to attach the top two pieces. 

Mark the center of each side of the frame.

Set your top board against the mark. Screw it down with 1-2 screws. Be sure to space them evenly.

When they're on, it looks like this. Now you're ready to paint and stain.

Step 4 Paint and stain

The possibilities are endless. I had a friend who put her child's foot prints on top. It was adorable!You can paint/stain it all one color or do two like I did here.

To get the finish on the top, I stained it the same color as the rest of the stool then painted it, let it set for 3 minutes, and wiped off the paint. I love how it turned out.