The Camp Doll Diaries Campers are about to head out for their Safari Adventure and Chrissy from MommysDollClub.com has one of the coolest ways to make a bus for the dolls that I have ever seen! This is definitely a more complex project (be sure to get guidance from a grown up) but I know you will love it! You can also make a bus out of a cardboard box or if you have a doll sized jeep, you can use that too. In other words, this is inspiration!
“Hey Thomas!”
“Yes, Trinity?”
“Isn’t Nonna’s bus really cool?”
“Sure is, how did she make it?”
“Let’s look!”
We started with an old Lego Duplo pieces storage bus. You could also use any wheeled container with a lid such as an underbed storage tub. We decided to use pvc pipe so we could disassemble for storage. We purchased 3 10-foot sections of quarter inch pvc pipe and the connectors as shown.
We also purchase two handsaws at under $3 each so we could share the cutting work. My dad and my daughter both sawed so it’s safe to say, this isn’t intimidating once you start. The fittings cover any odd cuts (it’s hard to saw completely perpendicular to the ground apparently). If you are concerned about straight cuts, you can use a miter box.
For each Lego Duplo bus, we needed 6 uprights at 18 inches each, 2 end pieces at 9 inches each and 4 side pieces at 6 inches each. To calculate, we used a tape measure and our container taking in account the length of the connector pieces.
Dry fitting (you could glue but we will not be using this for rigorous play)
Without the lid
The lid rests on top so you can take it off to get the dolls in and out more easily.
To make the bus look even better, we spray painted the pvc glossy black (one can did two coats for sets of busses).
For the seats, we just used cardboard. Luckily, I had a box EXACTLY the right dimensions from some IKEA ARV dishes.
I removed the inside of the package to discover the bottom piece was the perfect height to support the seats
Showing the trimmed seat support on right and my start to cut the bench. I started each cut with scissors then finished with a utility knife. I used markings already on the box as guidelines. You could make guidelines with a pencil.
The seats are secure in place dry fit between uprights.
Let’s go on a safari!
Does anyone know what kind of animal that is?
They are okapi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okapi).
Notes: This bus is awesome! We did have to use Goo Gone to strip away the Lego decals (which is why you see only one finished bus as it is taking SO long to get the decals off bus 2). You could personalize the busses with labels on the side and I do plan to paint the brake lights red and headlights white. One important note on the size of this bus? The dolls in the back seat have to have knees that bend. I may be able to play around with the cardboard to have their legs go under the front seat (which was my intention).
Thanks so much Chrissy for this awesome tutorial!!
So cute 🙂 Wish I had he materials for this . I think I might substitute a purple things , but I’m going to try to make this !
Sorry ! I meant couple instead of purple . Darn autocorrect !
So awesome I am thinking of a way to do it with a cardboard box? If anyone wants to check out my blog it is https://thedollsoftexas.wordpress.com/ 😀
If anyone has their heart set on the Duplo bus, they still come up from time to time on ebay or at garage sales!
Wow! The safari bus is amazing! I want to try to make it, but I can’t think of anything that I have that will work…
Cute! My dolls have a safari jeep but it only holds one doll. Still, this is super cute and amazing!
Wow! This is impressive. I am not sure my mom will go out and buy a bus Lego storage bin, though.
Haha!
Char when is the winner of the camping giveaway going to be announced?
This craft is so cool!!!
For those who don’t have a lego duplo bin- Try using a cardboard box and painting it yellow. Hope thus helps!
So cute, only of I had all this!
Super bus, Nonna! For those of you who don’t have a big bin or PVC pipe to use, you might try a office storage box w/ lid, paint or color or cover w/ yellow construction paper and details. Use gift wrap tubes or paper towel tubes duct taped together (and stuffed w/ old magazine pages so it doesn’t collapse). Sometimes you can even find storage boxes shaped like school buses, (well, you used to be able to, anyway).
Oh wow!!! That is SUCH an awesome bus! I wish I had some containers like that! 🙂
~Kaitlyn
Blog: http://www.americangirlplace1234.blogspot.com
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KaitlynsDollCloset
Love it!
love this.
a red one would make a mini London bus
Fabulous craft, Chrissy! You’re crew looks like they are having a great time with the okapi.
Like Sharry, I was thinking of an alternative and was thinking an empty copy paper box and paper towel roll tubes. Won’t be nearly as cool as your bus, Chrissy, but could work.
Wow!!! This sure is a great idea!