How to Build a Mud Kitchen for Kids

Carpenter Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner and daycare provider update her outdoor play space with a mud kitchen. Nathan has all the materials they’ll need, including pressure-treated framing, cedar paneling, and composite decking. The pair work together to build the frame and shelf before installing a sink, creating knobs from scrap lumber, and installing hooks for organization.

How to Build a Mud Kitchen

1. Start by choosing a size that will work for the place space. For this project, our kitchen will be approximately 70 inches long and roughly 21 inches deep, but customize the size to fit your space.
2. Cut the frame for the kitchen with a miter saw. Cut 4 long boards for the fronts and backs of the counter and the shelf below. Then, cut six shorter pieces to fit between the longer boards.
3. Measure the length of the longer boards and divide it in half. Mark these boards at that length. Then, predrill the ends of these boards and at the mark in the middle. On a flat surface, place the shorter piece between the boards and attach them with the screws. Repeat this for both frames. Note: Countersink the screws so they sit flush with the surface of the frame.
4. Cut the legs to length on the miter saw. Measure down 3.5 inches from the top of the legs and make a mark. Then, measure roughly 19.5 inches down from the end to mark the location of the bottom edge of the shelf. Use a speed square to ensure the legs are square. Attach the counter frame above the 3.5-inch mark, and attach the shelf frame above the 19.5-inch mark, both by pre-drilling and screwing the components in place.
5. Cut the composite decking so they’re slightly longer than the assembled frame. Overhang the ends and front by around an inch. Attach the decking boards to the frame using composite decking screws. Repeat the process for the shelf below, keeping the boards shorter to accommodate the catch basin.
6. Cut two long braces on the miter saw from the pressure-treated 2x4s. Attach these braces to the back of the mud kitchen at either end. Cut and install the cedar tongue and groove pine and attach them to the braces with a nail gun.
7. Cut and install a shelf from the cedar tongue-and-groove boards, and install braces underneath cut from the pressure-treated 2x4s using wood glue and the nail gun. Install a lip on the edge of the shelf, as well.
8. Using the template that came with the utility sink, mark the location of the sink on the counter. Cut it out with the jigsaw and install blocking underneath for the ends of the deck boards to land on and to support the sink. Install the sink using the retaining clips that came in the package.
9. Use the drill to install hooks across the back of the shelf for toy cooking utensils.
10. Cut circles from the ¾-inch PVC board to replicate stove burners. Also, cut smaller circles from the scrap 2×4 to create stove knobs. Paint all these items black and install them with screws.

Resources

Nathan will be building the frame using pressure-treated 2x4s and 1×6 cedar. Nathan starts by making the cuts for the frame using a miter saw. He then secures the frame using GRK 3-1/4 inch framing screws.

For the counter top, Nathan is using composite decking. He’ll be using a miter saw to make these cuts as well. Once the counters are secured with GRK 2-1/2 inch screws, Nathan fills in the screw holes using Cortex fasteners that match the decking cortex.

Nathan uses a jig saw to cut out the circles of PVC board for the stove top “burners.” To cut out the knobs for the stove, Nathan uses a hole saw. The homeowner painted the “burners” with a matte black spray paint.

Materials

• Pressure treated 2x4s
• Cedar tongue and groove paneling
• Composite decking
• Wood screws
• Composite decking screws
• Cortex fasteners
• Wood glue
• Hooks
• Black spray paint
• Small utility sink
• PVC boards

Tools