apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Of the pump, Colleen tells us:

"My dad is retired and loves making things out of scrap wood. I was inspired by the play kitchens that I saw on your website and asked him if he could do something fun for my kids (James 3 1/2 and Brooke 18 months). Of course he whipped up a stove complete with sink and burners. He used all junk parts and recycled wood and old baseboards and shelving from his home in Sacramento to do it! I thought if he could do a play kitchen he surely could do a play gas station. All the plastic versions in stores and online were lame and expensive so I begged for another project and he surprised me with this gem."

"The station is made from scrap wood that came from old fence boards and other projects from his back yard and more old baseboards. He found "Shell" icons online, printed them on paper, and attached them to the outside. He painted a few coats of clear polyurethene over them to make sure they don't come off. He laminated some debit cards with the kids' names on them and prices (they slide in and out) to play with."

To create the gas station, Colleen's father built a wooden box and added a plexiglass window for the prices. A garden hose nozzle and some cord, purchased at a local hardware, can be used for the gas pump.

We love the attention to details the gas station pump: the Shell logo, the Visa/Mastercard stickers, the different fuel options -- so great! Colleen suggests that something similar could be created with an old cardboard box, if you are not that crafty.

Thank you for sharing, Colleen!