No matter whether you're a woodworking enthusiast or if DIY projects aren't usually at the top of your to do list, you have to admit that building wooden toys for your kids beats watching TV all weekend. You can get your children involved as well, either helping you out or just watching.
Wooden toys never truly go out of style and many of these toys are educational as well as fun. Building something using a wooden toy plan can also be a teaching opportunity for parents and of course, it's a fun project. Here are 5 great wooden toy ideas to build for your kids:
Solid Pine Bookshelf
Swinging Horse Toy:
This is more fun (and more fun to make) than a rocking horse and can be used indoors or out. There are two ropes at the front of the toy and one at the back which can be secured to hooks screwed into the ceiling joists.
Dump Truck:
This is a safe, fun and durable toy with no pinch points in its moving parts, since all of the surfaces of the toy are smooth and rounded, so it's suitable for children of any age. It's easy to build too; the shapes and quantities of all the parts you'll need are listed below and you can cut them from birch veneer plywood or solid wood stock. You can use screws to secure the connections, but all it really needs to hold it together is a couple of dowels.
Toboggan:
If your kids like sledding in the winter, then this is one you'll definitely want to build. The runners of the toboggan are created by taking narrow wooden slats and steam bending them around a form, then fixing them to the cross pieces. Thread a rope through the crosspieces to serve as a hand hold as well as to help set the curve of the nose.
Some precision is called for here, since the runners double as the deck and seat of the toboggan. The runners should have a radius of between 3" and 4" and the curl should tighten a bit towards the end of the runner. You'll do best here with 3/8" thick maple or ash because of their flexibility. Finish the toboggan by sealing the top with marine glaze (since it needs to be waterproof). The bottom can be sealed with pine tar to seal the wood and act as a surface which can hold runner wax well.
Nutcracker:
This is a classic wooden toy which will take a little time and effort, but the end result is well worth it. There are a lot of different parts which need to be made for this project, most of which need to be lathed. Don't panic though - the most important parts (head, arms, legs and torso) are made from just three blanks for relatively easy assembly.
Make sure to cut all of the parts for the arm from just one spindle turning to keep them the right size and to ensure that the elbow joints will fit well. After the big pieces are made and fit together, the remaining elements (nose, feet and hands) can be made to fit the nutcracker easily. Basswood is a good choice for most of the toy since it's soft and easy to work with; for the jaw and crank, you'll probably want to use something stronger like ash. For the wrists, birch dowels will be fine.
Puzzles:
Both fun and educational, wooden puzzles help kids to develop analytical thinking and problem solving skills; they're also a great toy for the whole family to enjoy together. A handmade wooden puzzle is a great gift for any child and since they're so durable, they often become family heirlooms as well as sometimes inspiring a lifelong love for and fascination with woodworking.
Christmas Sales Twin Headboard with Bookcase - Pine 201
Dec 14, 2011 18:57:15
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Christmas Sales Twin Headboard with Bookcase - Pine Feature
- Color: Pine
- Size: 50"H x 40"W x 10"D
- Open cubby-style storage compartments
- Designed to coordinate with the Mountain Pine storage bed
- Scalloped Details
Christmas Sales Twin Headboard with Bookcase - Pine Overview
The Mountain Pine Bookcase Headboard is ideal for all ages, from school aged children to teens and beyond! This storage headboard allows you to keep books, alarm clocks and personal items close by. Pine Finish Laminated Particle Board Traditional Design with Scalloped Details Made in the USA! Assembly level/degree of difficulty: Moderate. Made in AmericaSAVE NOW on Christmas Sales Offers below!
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