The carcass is built from 1/2 sanded plywood assembled with pocket hole screws. In this picture I am filling all the seams and nail holes with filler.
I used hardboard for the moulding, which was glued and tact to the plywood. Again the holes were filled and then everything would be sanded down. The knobs were cut from some cherry scraps and are fitted with bolts through the front so that they can turn freely.
Maple scraps for the feet.
Primed and painted. I was running short in time so made a quick faucet and backsplash out of more cherry scraps. I had wanted to do something more detailed but it was after 11pm Christmas Eve when I was adding the final details and I needed to get it done and out for the kids by morning.
The oven door is plexiglass, with some metal screen spray glued onto the inside.
Burners installed and ready to set out for the kids
A few hours later
It’s been 2.5 years since I made this and I have to say this has probably gotten the most use of any toy they have, and has held up without issues.
I’d say think of it as a learning exercise, where the end result is something your kids can enjoy. Better to make mistakes on ~$50 worth of material, where the end result will be loved no matter what. Maybe just don’t start it a few days before Christmas ;)
Out of curiosity how old are the kids?
It’s an interesting idea. A nice way to learn cabinetry as well by building a miniature version.
Three and six when I made this.
It’s still in my living room and my youngest (now six) still plays with it.