Sit-on timber toy digger

[Alicia_Woodwork]

A sit-on toy digger built using timber that looks great fun in a sandpit for kids of all ages.

• The project
• Steps
• Tools & materials
• More inspiration for kids projects

The project

This great little sit-on children’s digger is such a cool addition to our backyard. Simple to use with only two levers and a rotating seat, our niece and nephew can dig away in the sand box. A few cute additions such as some caution tape and it looks like the real deal! 

Steps

Step 1

Start by cutting each of your components using your selected timber. You will need to draw and cut: 2 x levers, 2 x short arms, 2 x long arms, pieces for the bucket, seat, main arm and chocks to lift the seat.

Step 2

Cut two tyres using the 35 x 70mm treated pine. Then cut your base using the 9mm MDF. Frame this using the extra 35 x 70mm timber turned on its side to lose the height. Screw these components together using the 10G 30mm screws.

Attach the seat to the chocks and then secure this to one side of your lazy Susan bearing plate. Then screw the other side of the plate to the base.

Step 3

Sand all of the components thoroughly (rounding the edges) and then begin drilling a hole in the joints. Use the bolts to attach the arms and levers.

Cut the aluminium to size, sand the edges smooth and drill the same sized hole in each end. Attach to the levers and then to one short arm and one long arm to allow the arm to move freely.

Step 4

Pull apart all components and paint or varnish.

Step 5

Add rubber to wheels and caution tape to feet area to complete the look. Add some self adhesive foam to the seat for comfort. I used black electrical tape to cover the handles but you could also paint or use the self-adhesive rubber.

Step 6

Assemble all the parts and enjoy!

Optional: I added some rubber door stoppers to stop the digger from rotating beyond 90 degrees. This assists in ensuring the sand stays in the sand box.

Tools & materials

Materials used in the project:

• Mdf panel 1200 x 900mm
• Treated Pine 70 x 35mm
• Dressed Pine 42 x 19mm
• Aluminium flat bar
• Bolts m6 60mm and 80mm
• Lazy Susan bearing plate
• Timber screws 
• Wood glue
• Black spray paint
• Metallic silver spray paint
• Clear spray varnish
• Caution grip tape
• Black self-adhesive foam.

Tools used in the project:

• Drop saw
• Drill
• Disc sander
• Band saw.

More inspiration for kids projects

Bunnings Workshop member Tara made a toy car track with storage using MDF and Pine timber. 

Community member Deano1966 created a toy garage using timber offcuts for an appreciative grandson.

Get more inspiration from our collection of Kids sandpit projects and our Top 10 most popular kids projects.

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @Alicia_Woodwork 

I want one!!! Lol Man I so wanted something like this when I was a kid! I really like how you have put it together, right down to the door stops to stop the sand "being distributed"

So the question is "How deep a hole can you dig!"

Nice work.

Dave

[Alicia_Woodwork]

Hi @Dave-1, 

Thank you so much for the kind comments. This would have been my dream as a kid too! I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t given it a good test before gifting it to my nephew 😁 

Thanks again, 

Alicia

[Dunners2729]

@Alicia_Woodwork 

Good morning Alicia,

I've aquired a toymaker friend's gear, materials etc.  He has asked if I could make a ride on digger.  Think I've 'lost' his plans amdist all the stuff that came.  Your digger looks wonderful and I'd like to have a go at making one. You don't happen to have a plan available?

Geoffrey

[EricL]

Hello @Dunners2729 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us.

Let me tag @Alicia_Woodwork as well to make them aware of your query. My son had a similar toy when he was very young, and it provided countless hours of digging and sand shifting.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric