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How to build a dog toy box

Bone shaped dog toy box with a dog name "Benji".

Overview

Our dogs deserve the best and one great addition to your home is a personalised dog toy box. This D.I.Y. project not only looks great, but it’s also easy and affordable to make. Follow this handy step-by-step guide to create your own.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

  1. 1

    Design and measure your dog toy box

    Start by thinking about what you’d like to store in your dog toy box. Are there any special toys that your dog uses all the time? Are there any large or oversized toys you want to keep in there? (For example, an automatic ball thrower for dogs.) We’ve designed a box measuring 450mm x 250mm x 200mm, but you can adapt this project to suit your needs.

    Take some MDF board and use a tape measure and pencil to mark out two sides at 450mm x 200mm, another two at 200mm x 250mm and finally a base at 450mm x 250mm. Use a level to create clean lines and carefully cut each piece to size using a circular saw.

    Using a brushless jigsaw to cut MDF board.
  2. 2

    Cut the MDF

    If you want to keep your dog toy box plain, you can skip this step and move onto Step #3, but it’s a cute and personal touch to add a bone-motif onto the box. To do this, take two pieces of MDF larger than the length of your box. We’ve gone for 600mm x 400mm. Mark down grid lines to the size of your box (450mm x 250mm). This will help you create a bone shape that’s larger than the box when it’s stuck on.

    You can freehand a bone shape if you’d like; otherwise, a great trick is to trace around two bowls to create the ‘knuckle’ part of the bone. This will help keep your design neat and even. Once you’re happy with your bone design, clamp the two pieces of MDF together onto a sawhorse and carefully use a jigsaw tool to cut it out.

    Using a brushless jigsaw to cut MDF board.
  3. 3

    Assemble the box

    Lay your MDF pieces out for easy assembly. For the box, take a drill and pre-drill holes into each edge using a 3mm drill bit. Screw the outer frame of the box together using 10g 40-50mm screws. Once this is done, finish it off by attaching the base.

    To secure the bones to the box, begin by placing your box flat on its side on a table. Put the first bone on top of the box and centre it to your liking. Once you’ve done this, clamp the bone and the box together. Take your drill and pre-drill holes using a 28mm screw bit – make sure you don’t drill all the way through the box. Screw the bone piece in and repeat on the other side.

    Drilling holes in a bone shaped MDF board.
  4. 4

    Sand the toy box

    Smooth out any edges and fill in any holes. Take some Spakfilla and a filling spatula to fill all the drill holes. Allow this to dry according to the instructions on the packaging. Once the filler is dry, sand down any rough areas and potential splinters, paying close attention to the edges of the bone decal. Start with some 80-grit sandpaper and work your way up to 180-grit for a smooth finish. Finish it off with a quick wipe down using a damp cloth to remove any dust or residue.
    Using Orbital sander to smooth out the edges of a bone shaped dog toy box.
  5. 5

    Paint and decorate your dog toy box

    Now it’s time to paint and decorate your toy box. Get creative – choose your favourite colour or paint the box to match the decor in your home. Try making the bone a different colour to the box. Once the paint has dried, add your dog’s name to the front using a stencil, paint markers or sticker decals.
    Painting the bone shaped dog toy box with a paint roller.
  6. 6

    Once you’ve built your dog toy box...

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Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.