Kids are rough on furniture. Whether it’s a determined toddler yanking a drawer open one too many times or a preschooler using a dresser drawer as a step stool to reach a toy on top, those drawer slides take a beating. When a drawer starts sticking, tilting, or falling out entirely, don’t rush out to buy a whole new dresser. Replacing a broken drawer slide is a simple DIY repair that most homeowners can handle in under an hour with basic tools. It’s also a great way to keep that perfectly painted dresser in service for another round of childhood.

First, you need to figure out what kind of slide your dresser uses. Most kids’ dressers from big box stores come with side-mounted metal slides, often called euro slides or side-mount slides. These are the ones you see with a little rolling ball bearing and a plastic clip. Older dressers might have wooden slides—basically a groove that the drawer rides in—or metal center slides that mount underneath. For this repair, we’ll focus on the side-mounted ball bearing style, because that’s what you’ll encounter in ninety percent of cases.

Start by removing the drawer completely. Pull it out as far as it will go, then lift the front slightly while pulling gently. On most slides, you’ll see a small plastic lever or tab near the middle of the slide on either side. Push that tab down or lift it up, and the drawer should release from its tracks. If it doesn’t come out easily, don’t force it. Look for a clip you may have missed. Once the drawer is free, set it aside on a flat surface.

Now examine the slide on the drawer and the matching slide inside the dresser cabinet. The broken part could be a bent rail, a missing ball bearing, or a plastic clip that snapped off. Often it’s the plastic release tab that breaks off, making it impossible to close the drawer fully or causing it to pop out. Good news: you don’t have to replace the whole slide. Many hardware stores sell individual slide sections or universal replacement slides in standard lengths like twelve, fourteen, or sixteen inches. Measure the length of the existing slide from front to back—not including the mounting bracket—to get the right size.

If the damage is just a broken plastic part, you might be able to purchase a generic replacement slide set and swap only the damaged side. But it’s often easier and cheaper to replace both slides on that drawer with a matching pair. That way everything aligns perfectly. Look for slides rated for at least fifty pounds, which is plenty for a standard kids dresser drawer full of clothes. Ball bearing slides are smoother and more durable than the plastic-clip kind, so consider upgrading if your current slides feel cheap.

To install the new slides, remove the old ones completely. They are usually held on with short screws, often Phillips head or sometimes hex head. Use a drill with a screwdriver bit to speed things up, but a manual screwdriver works fine. Keep the screws—you might need them if the new slides use the same size. If the old screw holes are stripped out from earlier repairs, fill them with toothpicks and wood glue. Let the glue dry for a few minutes, then cut the toothpicks flush and re-drill pilot holes. That trick gives the screws new threads to grab.

Attach the new slide to the inside of the dresser cabinet first. Line it up so the slide sits flush with the front edge of the cabinet opening and is level. Most slides have elongated screw holes that let you adjust the position slightly. Screw it in, but don’t tighten all the way until you’ve checked that the slide runs smoothly. Then attach the matching slide piece to the side of the drawer. On many slides, a plastic clip lets you snap the drawer piece on and off, which is handy for future adjustments. If your new slides have that clip, slide the drawer piece onto the drawer side and mark the screw hole locations before drilling. Use screws that are long enough to grip the drawer side but not so long they poke through the inside of the drawer. A quarter-inch to half-inch is usually right.

Now it’s time to test. Slide the drawer onto the cabinet slides by aligning the two pieces and pushing gently until you hear them click together. Push the drawer all the way in and pull it out a few times. It should glide smoothly and stop when fully closed. If it sticks or rubs, loosen the screws slightly and jiggle the slide left or right. Some slides have adjustment tabs on the front that let you raise or lower the drawer by turning a small plastic wheel. Play with those until the drawer sits flush with the front of the dresser.

One last tip: children’s dressers often get loaded with heavy books and toys on top, which can cause the whole unit to wobble and stress the slides. While you’ve got the drawer out, take a moment to check the dresser’s stability. Tighten any loose screws on the frame, and if the dresser isn’t anchored to the wall, consider installing a furniture safety strap. That’s a separate project, but it goes hand in hand with keeping that repaired drawer safe for years of use.

Replacing a drawer slide is one of those fixes that feels deeply satisfying. It’s cheap, fast, and you get immediate results. Plus, your kid’s dresser will work like new again—and you’ll feel like a hero for saving the day (and the furniture).