How to Make a Fun Chair for Your Kids

Adirondack chair are the perfect seating option that not only look beautiful on your patio, porch, deck, or garden but are also a comfortable place to sit, relax and enjoy outdoors. Building an Adirondack chair is a fairly simple project. It doesn't demand a lot of time and is easy on the budget.

Child Adirondack chairs are similar to that of an adult so one can use proportionate sizes. The first step is always to get correct materials for your chair. You can use cedar and the thickness can vary from store to store. You would need pocket hole screws. Here, again the screws will be solely depended on the thickness of the cedar. Remember, cedar usually has one rough face and one smooth face, so be sure when you lay out and make your parts that you have the rough face on the inside or underside. You first need to create the bag legs once materials are ready. Cut two Back Legs to length from the board and lay out the radius on each back leg using a compass, and cut it with a jigsaw. Then sand the cut ends smooth. The next part is creating front legs. Cut two front legs to length from the board and lay out the radius on each front leg using a compass, and cut it with a jig saw. Then sand the cut ends smooth. Once the legs are done you need to assemble them. Here, you can attach the Front Legs to the back legs. Be sure you have the smooth faces outward. It helps to use a scrap board as a straightedge to align the parts. Once you have each leg in position, attach them by driving four 1 1/2" exterior screws through each back leg and into each front leg. The next thing is to create the front apron. You need to cut one front apron to length from the board and drill pocket holes in the rough face of the front apron. You need to then attach the front apron to one leg and assemble at the location shown using 1 1/2" exterior pocket hole screws. You can do the same way for the second leg. But, make sure it’s aligned with the front apron in the same way. Next you create the seat slats. Here, you cut one front seat slat to length from a cedar board. While you’re at it, cut eight seat slats, as well. Next, you need to drill pocket holes in ONLY the front seat slat. So, with your pocket hole jig set for 7/8" material, drill pocket holes in the underside of the front slat. Once you create the seat slats you need to attach them as well. Next you attach the front seat slat to the front apron and the front legs using 1 1/2" exterior pocket hole screws. Then you add four seat slats. You need to position them so one rests against the front leg and the others are spaced 1/4" apart. Attach these seat slats to the back legs using 2" exterior nails.

The next is to create seat slats. Here, cut two seat sides to length. With your pocket hole jig set for 7/8" material, drill pocket holes in the rough face of each seat side and attach the seat sides. The location of each seat side is determined by placing the square end against the front leg, and then moving the seat side up until it touches the last one of the four seat slats that you already installed. Once the seat side is in position, clamp it in place while you secure it to the front leg with 1 1/2" exterior pocket hole screws. Then secure it to the back leg using 1 1/2" exterior screws. Now it’s time for the back parts. Cut four back slats to length then cut the upper, middle, and lower back supports to length, as well. With your pocket hole jig set for 7/8" material, drill pocket holes in the rough face of the middle back support and lower back support. Once created its time to assemble the back. You can assemble the back slats and the back supports using 1 1/2" exterior wood screws. Use 4 screws at each slat and support location. You then add the radius to the back slats by clamping a scrap board to the back assembly at the location shown and set a nail at the center of the board. Use a string and a pencil to mark the radius on the top end of the back slats. Remove the scrap board and cut the radius using a jigsaw. Then sand the cut ends smooth. It’s time to install the back. Attach the back assembly to the seat sides with 1 1/2" exterior pocket hole screws. Add a clamp to help keep the back assembly in place while you screw it in place. Next you create the arm rails. Cut the arm rails to length and with your pocket hole jig set for 7/8" material, drill pocket holes. You can attach the arm rails by securing the arm rails to the front legs and the middle back support with 1 1/2" pocket hole screws. You then attach the remaining last four seat slats. Space them 1/4" apart, and then nail them to the seat sides using 2" exterior nails.

Finally, you create the arm braces and install them. Cut the arm brace to length and cut the radius. Drill a pocket hole in each arm brace. Then attach the arm braces to the front legs. You’ll need to position the braces, and then drive 1 1/2" exterior screws through each front leg and into each brace. Lastly you create the arms. Cut two arms to length and lay out the radius on each end of the arms. Cut the radius with a jigsaw and sand the cut ends smooth. Once created you attach it. Position the arms, and then attach them using 1 1/2" pocket hole screws. With that, you can do any final sanding needed, and then paint your chair and design the way you want. A child Adirondack chair would be more attractive if colorful and with more design elements.