How to Make a Montessori-Inspired Portable DIY Toddler Bookshelf

Learn how to build a simple portable DIY toddler bookshelf perfect for toddlers. It is great to organize books and toys while encouraging their independence.

This compact bookshelf is great for small spaces like the living room, where you can keep a small selection of books (and toys) for them to access. They can move it around and bring it around the house with them.

Plus, it is front-facing. A front-facing bookshelf allows toddlers to see the book covers at a glance, encouraging them to grab a book and read. It’s a simple way to spark their curiosity and build a love of reading. I used the same concept when I installed the rain gutter bookshelves when my kids were little.

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How to Build the Toddler Book Cart

Step 1: Prepare the Boards

• Make the cuts per the plans.
• Draw the shape for the sides and cut it out using a jigsaw. Be sure to use a top and bottom cut blade to make sure you get a clean cut line on both sides of the board.

Tip: Clamp both sides together and cut them with the jigsaw to get an identical shape.

• Draw the handle and cut that out using a jigsaw.
• Route the top edges of all the boards and inside the handle on both sides to create a rounded edge. This step is optional, but I like the rounded edge for the kid’s bookshelf.

If you are not using a router, I would recommend going over the edges with a 150 grit sandpaper on the sander and giving the edge a slight roundover/chamfer so they aren’t sharp.

• Sand all the boards using various grits up to 150 grit.
• Make pocket holes on the boards as shown in the plans. See how to use pocket holes.

Step 2: Build the Base Structure

• Attach the divider to the base using pocket hole screws and wood glue. It is important to measure and mark the center of the base and attach the divider. Clamps are helping hands to keep everything in place.

• Attach the bottom book supports to the base using wood glue and 1 1/4″pocket hole screws.

Step 3: Attach the Sides

• Measure and mark the exact locations of the divider and the bottom and top book supports on both sides of the side boards. This is important so you can align the boards and add the finish nails correctly.

• Attach the sides to base using wood glue and pocket hole screws

Step 4: Add the Top Book Supports

• Align the top book supports into place and clamp.

• Use the guidelines you measured and drew in the previous step and add the finish nails.

Step 5: Apply the Finish

This is a great time to apply the finish of your choice.

I decided to paint it, so I applied a couple of coats of primer and paint. See how to paint unfinished wood.

It was a little tight getting into all the nooks and crannies, but a roller, small brush, and lots of paint in the hair accomplished the painting.

Step 6: Add the Casters

Finally, at the bottom, I added four small casters or wheels that make it super easy to move the entire book cart around.

That is it!

Simple and quick! It makes a great gift for a toddler. They are going to love having a spot for their favorite books and toys and being able to push it around gives them a whole sense of achievement and independence.

The best part is that you can easily customize the bookshelf, too. You can add the name or other decals or stickers to make it more fun for the kids.

More DIY Gift Ideas:

This is Day 2 of the DIY Gifts Week!

I am teaming up with my friends Shara from Woodshop Diaries and Kati from Houseful of Handmade to bring you new DIY gift ideas every day this week.

See Day 1 Projects here.

Click on the project below to go check out all the projects for today.