DIY Treasure Chest Toy Box

Build a DIY treasure chest toy box with this easy tutorial.

Make cleaning up toys a game with a toy box that looks like a pirate treasure chest. What kid wouldn’t love turning picking up toys into a game of burying treasure?

This fun wooden toy chest holds tons of toys. It’s great for both indoor and outdoor toy storage.

And it is a quick DIY that is fun for you to build as well!

Kids Toy Storage

I made this treasure chest for my son’s 3rd birthday party. He wanted a pirate themed birthday party.

No pirate party is complete without a treasure chest filled with pirate booty.

Obviously I thought it would be a good idea to DIY one. And I was right!

Building a pirate treasure chest is easier than you might think. It made the birthday party fun and authentic.

Then when the party was over, the treasure chest was the perfect outdoor toy chest.

It holds a lot of toys! It was the perfect way to contain all the buckets, water guns and balls littering the backyar.

But this treasure chest also works as a toy box indoors. It would be perfect in a playroom or bedroom to contain loads of toys.

And when the toys are all picked up, it’s so easy to close the lid and hide the mess away!

Plus, the kids will love using their pirate chest as part of their creative play. It’s a toy box and a toy in one.

How to Make a DIY Treasure Chest Toy Box

STEP 1- Build the Box

Cut out the pieces according to the cut list in the build plans.

Secure the 1×8 boards to the 1×2 boards like the picture below using wood glue & wood screws (through the 1x2s into the 1x8s).

Line the top of one of the 1×8 boards with the tops of the 1x2s. Then secure the other 1×8 board below it, leaving a 1/2″ gap on the bottom.

Repeat for the other side.

Cut four pieces of 1×8 for the sides.

Secure to the assembled side pieces with wood glue and finishing nails. Line the top 1x8s up so they are flush with the top of the sides.

Attach the piece of plywood to the bottom of the box.

EXPERT TIP:
Measure and cut the plywood bottom to fit the assembled box. This will ensure a proper fit.

Use wood glue around the perimeter of the plywood.

Secure with wood screws through the bottom into the 1x2s and finishing nails through the bottom of the box into the plywood.

STEP 2- Build the Lid

Print out the template in the build plans and trace it onto the 1×8 board. Flip it along the dotted lines, then trace it again.

The bottom should be 14″ wide. Cut it out with a jig saw.

Cut eight 28″ pieces of 1×4 for the lid. Rip them down so they are 3″ wide on the top side with a 10.6 degree angle on both long ends.

EXPERT TIP:
Don’t stress too much if the angles aren’t perfect. The top will have some slight gaps, but it adds to the buried treasure look.

Secure the 1×4 boards to the sides using wood glue and finishing nails.

Line the boards up so they are flush on the outside edges to sides.

Attach the lid to the bottom of the treasure chest with your hinge(s). I used a 28″ piano hinge.

If you are worried about the lid smashing on fingers, look into soft close hinges. They are more expensive than a piano hinge and could be tricky to add to the curved top.

STEP 3- Finish the Chest

Now it’s time to make it a true pirate chest.

Use your vinyl cutter to cut out a skull and crossbones design. I found this one in the Silhouette Design Store.

Make the design as big as you want. Then cut it out with your vinyl.

EXPERT TIP:
It doesn’t matter what color of vinyl you use, it is just being used as a stencil. This is a great way to use up colors you have left over.

Apply the vinyl to the treasure chest with transfer paper. Then cover any uncovered parts of the treasure chest with newspaper.

Use the spray paint to fill in the design. The spray paint will hold up well to the weather and leaves a clean line on the vinyl stencil.

Remove the stencil once the paint is just barely not tacky or it can peel off if you wait too long.

Seal the entire treasure chest, insides and out. If using as an outdoor toy chest make sure to use an outdoor spar urethane sealer.

This will protect if from the elements so it can stay outside all year and protect all those toys! Add handles to the sides and you are ready to go.

Now you can fill up your DIY treasure chest toy box with all your booty.

Then sit back and relax knowing the things will (hopefully) not be so messy.

Happy building!