Today I will share with you how to make an above ground swimming pool and ladder for your American Girl dolls. This project includes a little recycling and some CPVC crafting. I had the ladder created in about 30 minutes…so it is super easy.
Below is an inspiration collage of the pool and ladder.
Below is what I used as our American Girl doll above ground pool. Yes, this is a real pool. This is my dog’s pool! I purchased this pool last year for my Goldendoodle, Fletcher. My dog loves to join along in the outdoor get togethers, but he gets so hot that I bought him his very own pool. What I love about this pool is that it doesn’t need inflated and is up in seconds. It folds away for storage. And honestly, I always think of storage when I create doll crafts. If you make it…you have to have a place to put it when you’re done playing! This particular pool measures 32 inches in diameter and 12 inches high. This was purchased on Amazon. The description on Amazon states it was 8 inches high…but it is not…it is 12, which I liked even better. The brand I purchased was Furry Friends in size medium for $24.99. You will find that some of these pet pools are red. I was not thinking of a doll pool when I ordered it last year, but I’m glad I ordered a blue pool because it looks more realistic to a real above ground pool. There are several brands that carry similar pools. When shopping for our pool I did notice that prices and stock varied; if you find the pool you want I would grab it up…they seem to sell fast.
I wanted to create a ladder to go with our “recycled” pool! I chose to use CPVC. I did not remove the lettering on the cpvc. I just made sure to turn the lettered sides inward so they were not noticeable. I did make sure all dirt and dust was removed from the cpvc prior to cutting. I also decided not to paint the cpvc; I figured the ladder might take a beating with play so I didn’t want to be concerned with paint scratches.
When I designed the ladder, I wanted it to have two sides; one side for each side of the pool. You can see from the picture below that the ladder simply slips over the pool edge.
To make this ladder you will need cpvc supplies, a pipe cutter, and contact cement.
CPVC parts include:
- Corner x4
- T x16
- End Caps x4
- CPVC 2-1/2″ x16
- CPVC 4-1/4″ x 8
- CPVC 1-1/2″ x 2
- CPVC 1 ” x4
Cut and assemble as guided in the photos. The 1″ piece of cpvc is not seen in photos; it is used as a connecting bridge between the T and end cap. Create your two sides and then attach the two sides with the 1-1/2″ connecting piece of cpvc. Once you are satisfied with construction, disassemble, add glue, and reassemble, let dry. If using Weldbond brand glue, attach pieces immediately, do not wait.
I cut a 3″ x 4″ piece of foam board to create the foot platform of the pool ladder. I glued it in place with E6000 glue.
This platform allows your doll to stand at the top of the ladder! Time for a dive! To create the pool water, I recycled the plastic garment covers that come over our dry-cleaning. I got lucky that our covers were a pale blue.
For more information on this doll pool party see here: http://brandyshappyhome.com/the-doll-room/pool-party-for-ag-dolls/
Craft ON!
I love this! I gave the invitations to my friends and we filled the pool with blue slime and cleaned the dolls after.
That is a great idea! Slime is always fun!
If they get wet Will It be ruined
I would not advise getting any cloth bodied doll wet. This pool was created for imitation purposes for play.
This is the best way for the dolls to spend the summer .
Thanks a lot.
Agree 100% You’re welcome! 🙂
So cute! Do you still have the amazon link for the pool?
The link is in the blog post if you click “Amazon.” It is also here: https://www.amazon.com/FurryFriends-MEDIUM-Foldable-Dog-Pool/dp/B071WQQ3XS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526999243&sr=8-1&keywords=FurryFriends&dpID=51RLHb3WDxL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1
You are so clever! Thanks!
Thanks Jedda! 🙂
Totally doing this for my BJDs – nice thing about them, I can actually put WATER in the pool for photo shoots cause resin dolls can get wet 😀
Brilliant idea for the ladder 😀
I love this idea. You are so smart!
Thank you so much Mae! 🙂
Great idea! I hope to make this pool setup this summer with my granddaughter. Could you tell me what diameter of cpvc pipe did you use?
The cpvc is 1/2 inch. Thanks for asking! 🙂
Thank you for this posting.I am going to make this or my grand daugther, she will love this!
You are very welcome Diane! I hope your grand-daughter enjoys it as much as we do! Have a great summer!
Just received my pool, today, and it was just as you described!!! I was worried because it said it was 8 inches…but, just like you said, 11.5 inches and it looks so much like an above ground pool!! Now, to get on with the ladder. Thank you, for designing this ladder! You’re so clever!!
Yay! So glad you liked the pool! 🙂
What a great idea! Splish splash!
Thanks Flo!
This is really neat! Thank you for all the fine details in making the ladder. And the pool for the pool party.
You are very welcome Xyra! 🙂
Another thing that could be used for “water” is cheap blue plastic rain ponchos. Make sure they look thin. I think you can get them at the Dollar Store, and I know Target has them. Just bought my pool!! Thanks, again for another great summer idea!!
Great idea Tonja! Thank you!
Adorable and so realistic!!
Thanks Linda!