Doll Beach Bunglaow

thingiverse

A cozy beach bungalow for American Girl dolls, measuring 18 inches tall, was found in an American Girl catalog for a mere $395 at americangirl.com/shop/girl-of-the-year-lea/lea-rainforest-house-dgt30. My daughter fell head over heels for it, but the hefty price tag gave her pause. She decided to take matters into her own hands and "make one" using cardboard boxes instead. The project was a bit more involved than she anticipated. As a proud dad, I stepped in to create this 3D printed beach bungalow. All necessary parts can be found in the attached .zip file, with the filename indicating how many of each part you'll need. No number means only one is required. I used an Ultimaker 2 to print all parts without any support. My wife discovered miniature pallets at Hobby Lobby, measuring 24"x14". We connected them using old 2x4" chunks and covered the structure with burlap for a rustic look. Foam board with fabric attached served as the back panel with a window. The bamboo used for the framework came from Amazon in two packs; one might suffice. To cut the bamboo effectively, I recommend using a power saw or Dremel, as trying to snip it can lead to splitting. The screws used are available at americangirl.com/gp/product/B011BNVRD8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00. Before drilling pilot holes in the bamboo, be sure to secure it with screws to prevent splitting. The beds can be positioned at any height and arranged as bunk beds or a single level. This project was an enjoyable experience for our family to work on together. We might use leftover bamboo to create a table and chairs; a hammock is also a good idea. If you'd like more information about this build, please leave a comment below.