Project #8: Make Old-Fashioned (but New-Fangled) Wooden Toy Blocks

When I was growing up, my parents were always building furniture it seemed. So I spent a lot of time "playing around" in the wood working shop. Dad had a scrap box where he would throw odds and ends (left-over wood pieces) and I was allowed to use any of them to make anything I wanted.

Well, now that I have my own shop area (though not nearly as equipped, finished, or supplied as my parents'), I too have a scrap box where I throw my odds and ends. "Maybe I'll be able to use that sometime." "It seems like a waste to throw that away; I'll just tuck it in the box for later."

Well, later has come. For Christmas, I'm going to raid the wood scrap box to make a couple of sets of toys for my one year old. One of the projects is to make old-fashioned wooden building blocks. (You'll have to check back soon to see the other project!) Who doesn't love the endless creativity, dexterity-building, imagination-inducing power of old-fashioned wooden blocks??? And add a few pretty paint patterns with your store of craft and oops paint, and you've got a new take on an age-old (non-electric!) toy. I'm feeling giddy. :)



The best part of this project is that it's quick, simple, and nearly free (if you have all the supplies on hand, as I did)! Gather up your miscellaneous supplies! This one will help you clean out the junk from your workshop (and make room for more!).

Make Old-Fashioned (but New-Fangled) Wooden Toy Blocks



Materials:

• Scrap wood (non-treated varieties--since we don't want harmful chemicals near little ones!)
• Paint (non-toxic)
• Clear sealer
• Sandpaper

Equipment:

• Electric sander (optional)
• Paint brushes, varying sizes

Cost: Under $20
Difficulty: Easy
Time: Two Nights
Instructions:

1. Collect scrap wood pieces.
2. Cut block-sized pieces. (Tip: A set of blocks is much more functional if you have several pieces that are the same size. This way, you can stack two identical blocks side by side and put a "roof" on top. Therefore, try to cut at least two of every shape.)
3. Sand edges so that corners are smooth and mostly rounded. (Tip: An electric sander turned upside down makes this step infinitely quicker and easier!)
   
4. Paint blocks, and decorate as desired. (Tip: You can paint modern or trendy patterns on these blocks to really bring them into this century. Or, for a more traditional look, keep them solid and paint--or stamp/decal/sticker--letters and numbers on them.)
   
       
   
       
   
   
   
5. Seal paint with clear sealer (non-toxic if you can find it!).

Depending on how many blocks you make, this could be a very quick or a very long project. Once I got started, I went back and made more. I just couldn't help myself. Eventually, for the sake of time and sanity, I had to settle on my 49-piece set. Dowel rods, 1x3s, 1x4s (cut into triangles), and 2x2s work great for this project, for example. Try lots of shapes and sizes. Creativity is encouraged!

I cut, sanded, and applied the first coat of paint in the first night. Then I finished the detail work on the second and third nights. That's right. I got a little carried away on my details and painted a lot on those tiny pieces of scrap wood. But it made me so happy. :) You could easily finish this project in two nights. But the more detail you add, the more time it will take. Sounds logical, right?

I had all my scrap wood and oops/craft paint already on hand. I didn't buy anything for this project. I tried to choose a couple of similar or complementary colors to paint two sets of shapes. That made the set come together. And all the colors went nicely together, I thought. When I needed an extra color, I just mixed it myself on a paper plate. Not bad!

I can't wait to give this to the little one for Christmas. She's spied them already (oops!) and is definitely interested. They are going in hiding for a few more weeks. These would make great gifts for a one-year old birthday party, or even for a baby shower! Why not coordinate with a new baby's nursery? You could paint letters (or splurge on stickers/decals) to spell out the baby's name. What a great, personalized gift!

What about you? How have you used your scrap wood? What inexpensive, but creative and personal ideas have you come up with? Please share!