How to Build a Cradle - DIY Home Improvement Guides - How to Repair and Remodel your Bathroom, Kitchen and more

Local Guides

All Guides
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
DC
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

networx

Home Improvement > Other Projects > How to Build a Cradle

Build a Beautiful Wooden Cradle for Your Baby

Follow these simple woodworking plans to construct a rocking wooden cradle that can be painted or stained. Seven main pieces are cut from solid 1-inch wood panels and then assembled with glue and countersunk screws hidden under wooden plugs. The cradle bottom is secured on narrow rails and provides additional structural support to the baby bed.

Step by Step Instructions with Video

Click here to play video

Step
1

Plan the Design and Dimensions of the Baby Cradle

Draw the plans for the wooden cradle on paper and mark the dimensions of each component. The project requires cutting a headboard, footboard, two sides, a bottom, two rockers, and narrow wooden strips to support the bottom.
View Video for Details >>

Click here to play video

Step
2

Prepare a Full-Scale Drawing of the Curved Cradle Components

Make full-sized paper drawings of the curved headboard, footboard, and rockers. Spray adhesive on the back, turn them over, and glue the drawings onto 1/4-inch hardboard, smoothing them from the center outward to avoid wrinkles.
View Video for Details >>

Click here to play video

Step
3

Cut out the Shapes to Make Hardboard Templates

Cut along the lines of the drawing. Use a band saw and cut through the paper and hardboard to make light-weight but stiff templates.
View Video for Details >>

Click here to play video

Step
4

Trace the Templates onto Solid Wood Panels

Trace the shape of each template with a pencil to mark cut lines on the solid wood panels. Be sure to keep the templates aligned with the grain of the wood.
View Video for Details >>

Click here to play video

Step
5

Cut All the Curved and Rectilinear Cradle Parts

Cut each cradle component, cutting along the trace lines for the curved parts and carefully measuring and marking for the rectilinear pieces.
View Video for Details >>

Click here to play video

Step
6

Install One-by-one Wooden Strips to Support the Bottom

Cut one-by-one wooden strips to attach at the bottom of the headboard, footboard, and both sides to support the cradle bottom. Glue and secure the strips with screws.
View Video for Details >>

Click here to play video

Step
7

Attach the Sides to the Headboard and Footboard

Apply glue to one edge of the headboard and butt it against the inside edge of one side panel. Insert screws through pre-drilled countersunk holes to secure the pieces. Repeat to attach the footboard and second side.
View Video for Details >>

Click here to play video

Step
8

Attach the Cradle Bottom to the Support Strips

Drop the bottom into the cradle from the top after pre-drilling countersunk screw holes around the perimeter. Insert screws to attach the bottom to the support rails.
View Video for Details >>

Click here to play video

Step
9

Secure the Rockers to the Underside of the Cradle

Apply glue to the tops of the rockers and position them against the underside of the cradle under predrilled and countersunk screw holes. Insert screws to secure them.
View Video for Details >>

Click here to play video

Step
10

Glue Wooden Plugs in Each Countersunk Screw Hole

Dab a little glue in each screw hole and position a wooden-plug in each. Tap each plug gently with a hammer to seat it in the hole.
View Video for Details >>