LEGOs are cool, but have you tried IKEA furniture?

Nine Days, One Flu, and a Bunk Bed Later

My son was sick with the flu all last week, which meant he was home for nine days straight.

Like most four-year-olds, the first couple of days were easy enough—TV and naps kept him occupied. But as his symptoms improved (without fully disappearing) and his interest in Paw Patrol wore thin, he needed more mental stimulation. Luckily, we had a few boxes of IKEA furniture waiting to be assembled.

We started with a desk chair, which was quick and easy. Then we moved on to the matching desk, which took a few hours. Finally, on Day 9 of his home confinement, we tackled the biggest project: a Kura bunk bed for his sister. If you’re not familiar, the Kura is an affordable, fun bed that’s a favorite on mom blogs.

IKEA’s Kura Bed

We got off to a strong start assembling the sides. The main challenge? The screws became too tough for him to turn halfway in, but that didn’t stop him from eagerly starting every single one. Some parts were numbered, which turned into a fun scavenger hunt for him. Thankfully, most of the other parts were interchangeable, so we never had to backtrack or redo anything—a minor miracle when building IKEA furniture.

The internet claimed it would take about two hours to assemble. With my little “helper,” it took around 3.5 hours. But it was an engaging, somewhat educational activity that kept him busy for most of the afternoon.

So, are the kids actually sleeping in it?

My daughter has been sleeping on a mattress we placed on the lower bunk (which is essentially just the floor). My son has attempted to sleep in the top bunk, but it’s still a bit too exciting for him. We’ll keep trying whenever he’s up for it.

The ultimate goal is to have them share a room so we can give his old room back to the cats—who’ve been really roughing it for the past four years.

He’s not ready to advertise his assembly skills on TaskRabbit just yet, but with each project, he’s getting a little more capable.

Pro Tip

If you plan on buying IKEA furniture, invest in a screwdriver with hex bits. Using an Allen wrench for hours is a recipe for sore hands and slow progress.