DIY American Girl Doll Ferris Wheel

Posted on Apr 6 2016 – 2:20pm
by Rudy



DIY American Girl Doll Ferris Wheel

Since we did a large American Girl Carnival scene, we really needed a large piece to be the center of attention. The carnival swings were a great addition, but we wanted something a little bigger with more of a wow factor. That is why we went with an American Girl DIY Ferris Wheel! When the American Girl Place stores all put up their window displays with a ferris wheel in them, we knew that was the main attraction for our carnival. Ours is a little smaller seating only six instead of eight. I still needed to be able to carry it! ? This would be a perfect build for a carnival birthday party! Or any party for that matter! Fun, fun, fun!

Related Posts:

American Girl Carnival

American Girl DIY Carnival Swing Ride

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DIY American Girl Test Your Strength Game

DIY American Girl Carnival Games

PDF Instructions:

American Girl DIY Ferris Wheel instructions

Shopping List:

Cut List:

  • 1 – 2×4 @ 32” – Main Wheel Support – Drill 1/2” hole 3” from the top in the center of the 2×4
  • 1 – 2×4 @ 11 3/8” – Bottom Back Support
  • 1 – 2×4 @ 22” – Slanted Back Support – Cut one end at 31° off square and the other end at 59° off square
  • 2 – 2×4 @ 22 1/2” – Side Supports – Cut one end at 25° off square and the other end at 65° off square
  • 6 – 1×4 @ 20” – Outer Wheel – Cut each end at 30° off square. Drill a hole in the side and bottom of outer wheel. The bottom hole needs to be 3/4” deep.
  • 1 – 1×12 @ 10” x 8 11/16” – Center of Wheel – Drill a 1/2” hole through the center
  • 6 – 1/2” Dowel @ 11” – These dowels connect the outer wheel to the inner wheel
  • 6 – 1/2” Dowel @ 7 3/4” – These dowels are what the Ferris Wheel seats hang on
  • 12 – 1/4’’ MDF @ 7 1/2’’ x 5 1/2’’ – Swing back and bottom – Cut 7 1/2’’ end at 30°. You will need to do this for all 12 pieces
  • 12 – 1/4’’ MDF @ 2’’ x 2’’ – Swing bottom support – Cut one end at 30°. You will need to do this for all 12 pieces

Step 1:

Assemble the base. The pieces that attach to the base are: Main wheel support, bottom back support, slanted back support and side supports. See diagram below.

Step 2:

Start by drilling a 1/2” hole in the center of the Ferris Wheel. Then drill six 1/2” holes in each side of the Ferris Wheel Center, making sure they are centered. Next drill six 1/2” holes in the bottom of each piece of the Outer Ferris Wheel, making sure they are centered.  Finally, drill a 1/2” hole on the face of each Outer Ferris Wheel board, making sure they are centered. This is where the seats will hang from. All holes are 3/4” deep.

Then add the dowels to the center of the Ferris Wheel. Next add the outer part of the Ferris Wheel. I used my kreg Jig to create the pocket holes needed to connect the outer part of the Ferris Wheel together. Finally, add the dowels that the seats will ride on. I glued all dowels in place.

Step 3:

Add the 1/2” bolt with the washers. There should be 3 washers between the inner Ferris Wheel and the Main Wheel Support. You can add more if needed. I also added a washer at the beginning and end of the bolt.

Step 4:

Start by connecting the Ferris Wheel Seats together with glue and nail pins. Then add the bottom of the seat supports by glueing and nailing into place.

Step 5:

Fill all nail holes, spackle and paint. I added the Star that I got from Hobby Lobby. The Star really brings it all together.

DIY American Girl Doll Ferris Wheel was last modified: March 21st, 2017 by Rudy


11 Comments so far. Feel free to join this conversation.

  1. American Girl Place Washington
    July 3, 2016 at 1:23 am –

    Hey everybody, I work at the American Girl doll shop at (Washington, D.C. Tysons Corner Center.) Lea Clark the Girl of the Year has free shipping around Washington if your place is not around Washington the shipping will be the same price. Please let me know if you would like to ship your doll to your house at Washington for free.

  2. Amanda
    May 1, 2016 at 5:58 am –

    Hi, where do you get the seats for the Ferris wheel?

    Thanks,

    • Rudy
      May 1, 2016 at 7:49 am –

      We made them. They are listed in the plans.

  3. Emily
    April 19, 2016 at 5:55 am –

    How many American girl dolls you have in your house?

    • American Girl Ideas
      July 3, 2016 at 1:25 am –

      We have 10 american girl dolls at our house

  4. Emily
    April 19, 2016 at 5:51 am –

    SOOOO adorable and awesome! The ferries wheel turned out to be a 100% success! There is nothing you can’t make for American Girl dolls!

  5. Sadie
    April 8, 2016 at 6:00 pm –

    OMGOSH AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

  6. Katie Loves AG
    April 7, 2016 at 5:41 am –

    I love this. You did a really nice job. Can you please make Maryellen’s sofa bed set.

  7. Latonya
    April 6, 2016 at 6:50 pm –

    Amazing!!!!!!!!!

  8. Olivia Wilson
    April 6, 2016 at 5:09 pm –

    Oh my goodness!!! This is adorable!!!!!!! I don’t have any space for it though….. There’s just no way.

  9. Tara NePalmer
    April 6, 2016 at 3:44 pm –

    Please do a foam board version with a video tutorial!!