Are you tired of your kid's stuffed animals scattered all over their rooms? Then you're going to love these adorable DIY stuffed animal zoos. A cute way to keep the kid's plush toys corralled in one place! They are not difficult to make and a great Christmas or Birthday gift idea.

I've included detailed step-by-step instructions below along with a supply list. But I should point out that we didn't reinvent the wheel with this idea. My daughter sent a photo of one she saw somewhere and asked if it was something we could build. My response was heck ya and we'll make them for the grandkids for Christmas!

DIY Stuffed Animal Zoo Kid's Room Organization

My grandson's eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw the two large wrapped gifts come into his house. He was even more excited when he saw there was another wrapped gift inside each zoo. I got them each a handmade stuffed animal bought at a local Christmas craft fair.

The zoos are personalized with their names and painted to match their rooms. My daughter is thrilled to have their pile of stuffed animals off of their beds and corralled in one place. She loves how adorable they are and they don't take up much space in their rooms.

The growth chart between the two zoos is another great DIY gift idea that is easy to make. I made this easy stenciled yardstick growth chart for our granddaughter's room. Four years ago I made this handpainted yardstick growth chart before ruler stencils were available.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to make the stuffed animal zoos, almost all of the DIY projects shared here at Interior Frugalista have step-by-step tutorials so why not get your budget DIY on and subscribe. You can also follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

The green zoo is for our grandson.

...and the coastal blue and coral zoo is for our granddaughter.

This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

What You'll Need To Make It

Please note the instructions and supply list are based on building one zoo only at 12-inches wide by 30-inches high.

Supply List (based on one zoo)

• 2 Pieces 2" x 2" x 8' Lumber
• 1 Piece 1" x 4" x 6' Lumber
• 1 Piece 1" x 6" x 6' Lumber
• 3/4" Plywood (off-cut minimum 12-inches square)
• 3/16-inch 20' Bungee Cording
• Personalized Wood Name (found on Etsy)
• #8 1/2" Wood Screws
• #8 2 1/2" Wood Screws
• 3/32" Drill Bit
• Countersink Drill Bit
• 1 1/2" Brad Nails
• Flange Type Finishing Washers
• Wood Glue
• E6000 Glue
• 150 Grit Mouse or Palm Sander Pad
• Mouse or Palm Sander
• Pneumatic Brad Nailer
• Rustoleum Chalked Paint Coastal Blue
• Americana Multi-Surface Paint Shrimp
• Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Antibes
• Matte Clear Polycrylic Top Coat

I should mention that we are self-taught DIYers and not trained professionals. This step-by-step tutorial is based on our building knowledge only. However, if you are a do-it-yourselfer like us, you'll find these steps helpful if you plan on making a version of our plush toy storage zoos.

Here's How We Made It

The lumber in the photo below is for building two zoos.

Cut Lumber Measurements (based on one zoo)

• 3/4" Plywood Base = 1 @ 12" x 12"
• 2" x 2" Uprights = 4 @ 30"
• 1" x 4" Rails = 4 @ 12 3/4"
• 1" x 6" Trim = 4 @ 12 3/4"

Zoo Base Assembly

• Cut 3/4-inch plywood for the base 12" x 12".
• Cut four pieces of 2" x 2" lumber 30" long.
• Set a 2" x 2" upright on each corner and draw an outline with a pencil.
• In the center of each outline drill pilot holes with a 3/32" drill bit.
• With a countersink bit, drill the pilot holes. This is the underside of the zoo base.

• Working on its side, put a dab of wood glue on the bottom of the upright.
• Screw #8 2 1/2" wood screw through the pilot holes into your 2" x 2" uprights, making sure it sits flush with the plywood (pictured below).
• Repeat on all four corners.

Attach Bottom Rails

Cut four pieces of 1" x 4" lumber 12 3/4" long. Apply wood glue at the contact points and nail them to the plywood base and corner uprights with 1 1/4" brad nails.

Attach Top Rails

• Cut 4 pieces of 1" x 6" lumber 12 3/4" long.
• Make a spacer with a 2" x 2" offcut 8 1/2" long (this is the measurement between the two uprights at the bottom).

• To conceal the top of the uprights, place the top of the rail approximately two inches above the uprights (pictured below).
• Working on its side, place the spacer between the uprights as you work and clamp it together to hold everything tight. Apply wood glue to the contact points and nail your upper trim piece with brad nails, just like you did on the bottom rail.

Prepping Zoo For Paint

Fill all the nail holes with wood filler. Once the filler is dry, sand the entire zoo structure with a mouse or palm sander with a 120-grit sanding bad.

Painting Animal Zoo

The interior of the zoo is painted with pure white Behr latex paint that we had on hand. The exterior of one zoo is painted with Rustoleum Chalked paint in Coastal Blue and the other with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Antibes green that I had on hand.  

Paint your zoo with either latex or chalk-style paint in the color of your choosing. Once the last coat of paint is dry, protect the paint with three coats of matte clear topcoat.

Bungee Cord Bar Installation

Make a jig for bungee cord zoo bars by cutting a piece of cardboard the width of the space between the uprights. Measure for three zoo bars spaced evenly and mark with a pencil (pictured below).

Place a screw through a flange-type washer (pictured below) and partially screw it into the uprights at your marked points. Repeat until both the top and bottom on all four sides are installed.

Starting at one end on the top, wrap the bungee cord around the screw and tighten down the washer to secure it in place. Pull the cord down to the bottom while maintaining some tension, and wrap around the bottom screw and tighten to secure.

Move to the next screw beside it, following the steps above, then work your way up to the top and over to the next screw and back down to the bottom, and so on. Cut the cord once that side is complete and repeat for the remaining sides.

Personalize The Zoo

If you are lucky enough to have a scroll saw, you could make personalized wooden names but we don't so I ordered mine on Etsy. Alternatively, if you have a Cricut Maker Machine you could cut the names with a knife blade and either 1/32" or 1/16" basswood.

Paint the name in a contrasting color so the name stands out. Attach the wooden name on the top rail with E6000 glue.

Thanks for stopping by the Interior Frugalista today! I hope you were inspired by these handmade stuffed animal zoos. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below or the Contact Me tab at the top to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!

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