DIY American Girl Doll Gymnastics Balance Beam

Since you have already made your American Girl Floor Beam and your doll has practiced on it, it’s now time to make her the real thing!  Just like the first beam you made, it is very simple.  Be sure to take a lot of pictures when your done of your doll doing her gymnastics moves.  It’s so fun to pose her different ways.

Shopping list:

1 – 2×2 @19’’
1 – 1×1 @ 9’’
1 – 3/8’’ wooden dowel @ 10’’
Wood Glue
18 Gauge 1 1/4’’ nails
Lightweight Spackle

Cut List:

1 – Beam – 2×2 @ 18 1/2’’
2 – Dowels – 3/8’’ dowel @ 4 1/4’’
2 – Legs – 1×1 @ 4’’

Tools:

Tape Measure
18 Gauge Nailer
Miter Saw or Circular Saw
Hearing Protection
Safety Glasses
Pencil
Sanding Block

Step 1:

Pre-drill the holes for the dowels to fit into.  The dowels will hold up the beam.  To know how far to drill, I put tape on the end of my drill.  I left the tip uncovered so when I drilled and the tape hit the wood, I knew to stop.  This way it’s the same depth on all four holes.  Each hole is 1/4″ deep. See the pictures below.

Step 2:

Insert the 3/8″ dowels in the pre-drilled holes.  Just use wood glue to keep them secure

Step 3:

Attach the dowels to your block feet.  Again, wood glue will keep them in place.