Take a look at what one very handy dad did to show his daughter that he loved her…
For my daughter’s 3rd birthday, I made her a VW bus bed – sort of modeled after a Type 2. It came about (mostly) because she was in need of a post-crib solution, and I got this pile of stuff on Craigslist for free. It’s old Super Beetle parts.
A few people have built a bed that looks like a VW bus, but I wanted a cheaper way to do it that would leave me with some options later, in case it wasn’t my daughter’s thing. I built mine to sort of hang from a metal frame bunk bed, with removable panels. I kept costs down by using a lot of things from my garage – paint, screws, scrap wood – but bought about $100 worth of stuff. Here’s the twin bunk bed, $25 on Craigslist, dirty rag not included.
A 2×4 frame held the posts in place and 2×3 framing for the bus bed shape; eventually the sides would bolt to the 2×4 bottom frame and be held to the bunk bed’s metal posts at the top with u-bolts.
The bumper box is built, and “faced” in the front with a piece of thin plywood and a ton of screws.
Doors on the side.
Added windows and a little “eyebrow” in the front for effect.
Wheels.
Removed the wheels for painting.
Headlights were cheap puck lights from big box store, switched on from the dashboard.
The dashboard – used a coat of stain to make it look nice.
The buttons make the driving sound effects, as does the horn in the middle of the steering wheel. Little LEDs go off inside the speedometer, too.
VW emblem was ordered online on silver sticker stock; painted a circle behind it and put it on carefully.
A couple of side pockets from the Super Beetle pile framed in, good for books or stuffed animals.
Inside view.
Outside view.
Success! She still sleeps in it today (going on 6 years old).
