How to Make Chairs for Toddlers
- 1). Determine what size your toddler’s chair should be. Consider size, materials, style and function of the chair. Making a chair specifically for a toddler implies that you have to take his age into account. It should support his posture and allow him enough room to squirm and grow.
- 2). Refer to international averages for children’s size by age to determine the appropriate measurements for the chair. Alternatively, seat your toddler on any surface and have him place his feet flat on the floor and knees at 90 degrees. Take the measurements for the distance from the floor to the surface where he is seated to get the height of the chair. Also, measure his back and the seating space then record the measurements in your notebook.
- 3). Support your plywood on the bench and hold it firmly in place with a vise. Measure out the chair back, sides and seat according to the determined measurements.
- 4). Sketch a curved shape on the plywood with architect’s curves. Cut out a curved top from the sketch with a jigsaw. Measure out the back and the seat from the remaining plywood using your measurements and cut them out with a hacksaw.
- 5). Join the side panels to the seat. Lay one of the two side panels on the floor. Measure out the distance from the base of the side panel. Draw out a support line for the seat using the measurement.
- 6). Cut out the drawing for the support line from the plywood. Drill holes through it and screw it to the side panel. Repeat the same process to the remaining side panel. Check that they are at level.
- 7). Position the seat on the side panel dowels. Move about the side panels 1/8 inch on either side. Screw the seat to the dowels and to the side panels.
- 8). Join the back to the side panels. Make notches about 13 inches wide on back, from the top of the side panels to the point the seat is joined. Apply wood glue to the side panels and the back. Fix the side panels into the back notches to form a notched joint. Hold the frame panels for four to five hours with a clamp. Screw them together.
- 9). Cushion the seat with a soft fabric. Alternatively, place a cushion at the seat. Spread it out to smoothen it. Paint your toddler’s chair.
