Thank you to Behr and Wagner Spraytech for sponsoring this post and providing products to use for this project. All ideas and opinions, as always, are our own.
It’s time to share the special homemade gift that Ryan and I made for Henry for Christmas. Behr challenged all its DIY Experts to make a gift with Behr paint this year. And we accomplished something special for our toddler with this little nudge!
In truth, we didn’t actually start building Henry’s gift until the 22nd and completely truly finish until Christmas Eve. And I didn’t take photos until Christmas. So here were are.
But because it was finished in time to give it, I believe we can count it as a success. And the gift was a total hit. (Always a risk making something for a 1-year-old. Since they obviously prefer laptop power cords, keys and someone else’s cell phone.)
Let me introduce you to … the kitchen helper tower.
Henry is obsessed with being in the kitchen. He’s also turned into quite a climber. So when I saw the kitchen helper tower my friend Stephanie has for her son Miles, I was sold. I immediately told Ryan that we had to make one for Henry for Christmas. Once I showed him the plans, he was game.
This was one of only a few gifts we got for Henry this year. We had no interest in spending a small fortune on toys when he already has so much. Plus, I knew that he’d be getting plenty of things from other family members. When people would ask what Henry was getting, we’d tell them that we were planning to make a kitchen helper. To which they responded in blank stares.
We used the plans from Ana White and highly recommend them! And I think this would be a good project for a beginner woodworker, although Ryan is more experienced.
The run-down of the project … first, we made a trip to the barn, where we found scrap wood that covered everything we needed. That meant the only thing we needed to buy was wood screws. (Score one for a cheap project!)
Ryan got to work cutting the wood based on the specifications in the plan. It didn’t take long at all.
Some of the boards were already primed, but that was okay since we were planning to paint.
Henry insisted on helping, so this is how Ryan assembled the tower. On our countertop. In our kitchen. With a baby on his back. It was about 4 degrees outside, so this was a better option than the garage. Henry was pretty comfortable and ended up falling asleep right there.
I really wanted to spray the whole thing with my Wagner FLEXiO 590 paint sprayer. But it is way too cold to do it outside and I didn’t want to deal with doing it in the basement and yada yada. Luckily, Wagner had sent me over a SMART Mini Roller to try. The SMART roller allowed me to fill the handle of the roller with paint and go to town. I was also provided with my favorite Behr Ultra Premium Plus Interior Paint in Satin Finish. I used the color Dolphin Fin, which is a really nice pale grey.
I set up my painting station in the pits of hell our basement. A few quick coats with the roller and a brush. Bing, bang and boom. (I have painted every piece of woodwork in our house with Behr Premium Plus Ultra paint. It covers woodwork really well and minimizes the number of coats you need. This paint did a really great job of covering the bare wood.)
By painting the panels before final assembly, I was able to to better get into every nook and cranny. Ryan finished assembling and filled the screw holes with wood filler before I touched up everything.
I was so pleased with the finished product.
Henry was pretty stoked, too. When he saw it on Christmas morning, he wanted to be up there right away. He wants to eat his dinner there, play with his trains there, make it into a fort … it’s his new spot.The color looks white here, but it’s actually a lighter grey. I’m planning to paint my entire dining room set this color. Maybe. Possibly.
Between the kitchen helper tower and his trains, I think Henry is good to go. Do you think he’s excited?
If you need Henry, you know where he’ll be.
Did I mention he also got this special green machine from grandma and grandpa?
Yep. He’s pretty much set for life.
Did you make any home-built gifts this year?
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Kenz @ Interiors By Kenz says
Oh man! I miss this post when I was in the hospital. This is GENIUS! What a great gift, and functional thing! It sure beats the dangerous “standing on a kitchen chair” method. I can’t wait til little E is standing and wants to help in the kitchen so I can build one for her. You rock.
Kim Woodward says
Geesh. The hospital. Like that’s an excuse?
The tower is seriously such a hit. I love that Henry loves it. Makes it worth the effort.
Justine says
This is great, good job guys! And I love the pic of him cheesing with the trains — too cute.
Cindy Germann says
Oh my gosh, what an awesome project! I love that Henry can cook you dinner now. That’s what you said, right? At least make coffee??
Seriously though, I love the tower and I bet it’ll get lots of good use for years!
Kim Woodward says
He really does need to start earning his keep.
Kelly @ View Along the Way says
I. love. this. I think our kiddos need one now. ๐
Gretchen@BoxyColonial says
love it! Henry looks so proud ๐
FRECKLES CHICK says
This kid is SO set. What an awesome idea you guys!! Wish we had one, would’ve prevented a few near heart attacks on my part. *cue the Quinn side-eye*
Merry Christmas, friend!
xoxo
Natalie says
Great job! The only thing keeping me from making one is we don’t own a Kreg Jig. Do you think it’s necessary to have?
Kim Woodward says
Nope – Ryan didn’t use one.
Rachel says
This is such a creative idea! Way to go Mama! ๐
Brittany says
This is PERFECT!! I literally just finished grad school and got a new job where I won’t have to take my work home every evening so I was telling my husband I wanted to build our son this for the kitchen and maybe his bathroom because he LOVES brushing his teeth. Adding this to my 2014 list to do!
Thank you!
Kim Woodward says
I told Ryan I wanted one for the bathroom, too! So handy.
And congrats on finishing grad school. That’s a huge accomplishment!
cassie says
such a great idea!!! my kids love helping in the kitchen!
Rachel says
My gosh, Henry is SO dang cute. This is an awesome present! I bet Forrest would love to have one, too. And a round of applause for Ryan for building it with a child on his back–ha! Love that picture.
Kim Woodward says
That really is my favorite photo of all time. Who needs a hunky man calendar? I Just want a calendar with photos of my husband building thing with my toddler strapped to his back. Rawr.
Amber @ Wills Casa says
It’s so funny how much kids love to help cook and be in the kitchen. It makes cooking seem like less of a chore with them around!
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
This is such an awesome idea! I’ve never seen anything like it, it’s just awesome!
Mary says
Kim –
FYI you have a strange, very provocative, video game ad on the side of your blog. Doesn’t seem quite like you – it’s rather offensive.
Just so you know
Mary
Erin says
Oh my goodness, I love this!! How clever. This is the perfect project for Eric to work on for Claire for next year. ๐
Kim Woodward says
Add it to the list!
Doesn’t everyone have a list started for next Christmas?
Amanda says
I absolutely love that! We spent a grand total of $20 on Reagan this year because of exactly what you said! Other family members hooked her up! We didn’t make anything for Reagan but Forr hand-sewed me a scarf, so that counts! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!!
Kim Woodward says
Wow! A scarf? That’s amazing!
I had a bit of a panic moment on Christmas Eve? “We didn’t get Henry enough stuff!!!” But he could have cared less.
Jill says
Awesome helper!! Megan LOVES her learning tower and I’m sure Henry will, too!! She eats breakfast and snacks up there, gets up there to see what I’m doing on the kitchen island, etc. It’s one of her favorite things!
Kim Woodward says
Henry has refused to eat a meal anywhere but the kitchen helper since he received it. Not sure if that’s good or bad.
michelle@decorandthedog says
I want to be Henry in my next life. ๐ Super cute project. Cuter kid.
Kim Woodward says
You will have to get in line. Henry is a popular wish for the next life.