DIY American Girl Camper

This is one of those projects where I designed the plans a long time ago. Almost two summers ago! Other crafts got pushed to the front and since we had Lanie’s camper it wasn’t an urgent project for us. There have been so many requests for this and I apologize because I know some go way back. There has been a lot of talk lately with American Girl bringing back retired pieces and reusing them in new ways. Personally, I really like seeing the retired pieces brought back to life. It gives people a second chance to get the items without having the “retired” price tag that goes along with it. It would be really cool if AG brought back Lanie’s camper. However, with the new pop up camper I highly doubt it will happen. That’s why I finally finished this project. I want to share this awesome piece with you! And it is awesome! You can use the plans and build it out of wood or MDF instead of foam board. Whatever your preference is. With every new foam board project I get better and better and I learn new tricks all the time. Just like the plans, I got the nylon hinges a long time ago. I put them away and forgot about them. I remembered I had them once I started looking at ways to attach the doors.  They are amazing! I really hope you enjoy this craft, it is a big one. Pace yourself.

Watch and tell us what you like to do when you go camping!

Materials Needed:

• DIY American Girl Camper Plans Printable
• American Girl Camper Printables
• 2- 3/16″ Foam Board
• 4- 1/2″ Foam Board
• Hot Glue *I used 5 large sticks
  • For reference, I only used 1 with Gabriela’s Loft Bed!
• Spray Paint
  • 2x Ocean Mist
  • Winter Grey
  • Pistachio 
  • Brown Boots
• 10 Nylon Hinges 
• Gorilla Glue or Epoxy Glue
• 2 sheets of scrap book paper for shower *optional, ours is from Michaels
• X-Acto Knife or FoamWerks Cutter
  • Guide Rail & Straight Edge Cutter *optional
  • 32″ Cutting Board *optional
• Buttons & Beads
• 2 Jumbo Straws

TIPS-

• I used hot glue for attaching the hinges on the foam board and it worked just fine. However, Gorilla glue or E6000 glue will last longer in my opinion. Those will just take longer to set. I did drop the camper though and nothing popped off! Whoops!
• Spray paint all your pieces before assembly. It’s much easier this way! Also, give the foam board overnight to dry. This way as you firmly press the pieces together when hot gluing, you don’t make fingerprints in the paint.
• If you don’t have the foam board circle cutter for the tires, just use an X-acto knife. The jagged edge looks good, like tread. I used the circle cutter and then cut up the outside to give it the jagged look.
• Take your time. I spread this project over three days just as I did for Gabriela’s Left Bed.
  • Day 1: Cut all the pieces. (approximately 3 hours)
  • Day 2: Paint all the pieces. (2-3 hours)
  • Day 3: Assemble. This took me 6 hours. It shouldn’t take you that long. I was filming and that always drags out the time.
• Watch the video before you take this project on. See how I painted the pieces. Watch how I attach the hinges. This will help guide you.

Cut List:

Camper Frame:

• 1 – 1/2’’ @ 28 1/4’’ x 11’’ – Sub Floor
• 2 – 1/2’’ @ 28 1/4’’ x 3’’ – Sub Floor Sides
• 3 – 1/2’’ @ 10’’ x 3’’ – Sub Floor Supports
• 1 – 1/2’’ @ 28 1/4’’ x 11’’ – Floor

Camper Shell:

• 1 – 1/2’’ @ 29 11/16’’ x 19 3/4’’ – Left Side – See Diagram
• 1 – 1/2’’ @ 26 3/4’’ x 11’’ – Roof
• 1 – 1/2’’ @ 19 3/4’’ x 10’’ – Back
• 1 – 1/2’’ @ 19 3/4’’ x 2 1/4’’ – Back Right Side
• 1 – 1/2’’ @ 10’’ x 9 3/4’’ – Front Bottom
• 1 – 1/2’’ @ 10 1/2’’ x 10’’ – Front Top – See Diagram for Window
• 1 – 1/2’’ @ 19 3/4’’ x 4 11/16’’ – Front Right Side – See Diagram
• 1 – 3/16’’ @ 10’’ x 3 7/8’’ – Front of Camper – Window Shelf Top
• 1 – 3/16’’ @ 10’’ x 9 1/2’’ – Front of Camper – Window Shelf Top Support

Storage Bench:

• 1 – 3/16’’ @ 9 7/8’’ x 3 7/8’’ – Storage Bench Lid
• 2 – 1/2’’ @ 5 5/16’’ x 3 15/16’’ – Storage Bench Sides
• 1 – 3/16’’ @ 9 7/8’’ x 5 5/16’’ – Storage Bench Front

Kitchen Cabinets:

• 3 – 3/16’’ @ 8 1/8’’ x 3 3/8’’  – Cabinet Drawers
• 2 – 3/16’’ @ 8 1/8’’ x 7 3/16’’ – Cabinet Drawer Sides

Kitchen Refrigerator:

• 2 – 3/16’’ @ 7 3/16’’ x 4 3/4’’ – Refrigerator Sides
• 2 – 3/16’’ @ 4 3/4’’ x 4 3/4’’ – Refrigerator Top & Bottom
• 1 – 3/16’’ @ 9 11/16’’ x 4 7/8’’ – Refrigerator Left Side Wall
• 1 – 3/16’’ @ 4 3/4’’ x 1 1/8’’ – Refrigerator Top Cover
• 1 – 3/16’’ @ 5 5/8’’ x 4 3/4’’ – Refrigerator Door

Kitchen Counter:

• 1 – 3/16’’ @ 11 3/8’’ x 8 1/4’’ – See Diagram for Counter Top & Sink

Camper Bed:

• 1 – 3/16’’ @ 19’’ x 8 1/4’’ – Bed
• 1 – 3/16’’ @ 16 3/4’’ x 1/2’’ – Bed Support

Camper Doors:

• 1 – 3/16’’ @ 19 1/2’’ x 13’’ – Left Door
• 1 – 3/16’’ @ 19 1/2’’ x 9 1/2’’ – Right Door

Camper Wheels & Front Supports:

• 6 – 1/2’’ @ 5’’ Diameter – Wheels
• 2 – 1/2’’ @ 2’’ Diameter – Bottom of Front Supports
• 8 – 3/16’’ @ 2’’ x 1’’ – Front Supports

Camper Trim:

• 2 – 3/16’’ @ 28 5/8’’ x 1’’
• 2 – 3/16’’ @ 18 7/16’’ x 1’’
• 2 – 3/16’’ @ 5 11/16’’ x 1’’
• 4 – 3/16’’ @ 11’’ x 1’’

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