How to Make Wood Toys
The next time you are contemplating buying your toddler expensive store-bought toys, think about what you can make yourself in the comfort of your own home for your child's enjoyment. Creating two-dimensional custom playthings out of wood for your small child is inexpensive and simple. Also, hand-crafted items from a parent to a child create a more personal, meaningful toy that your son or daughter will want to pass down to their own children.
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Things You'll Need
- 1-inch-thick poplar, beech, douglas fir, cherry or maple wood (6 inches by 12 inches)
- Scroll saw
- Medium sandpaper
- Fine sandpaper
- Non-toxic acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Paper
- Pencil
- Scissors
Instructions
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Making the Shape
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1
Draw the outline of your toy onto paper. This could be an animal, a shape, letters or numbers.
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2
Cut out the object with scissors. This template can be used again and again.
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3
Place the template flat onto the plywood and trace around it with the pencil.
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4
Cut along the penciled line using the scroll saw. For softer wood like pine, you can also use a coping saw. It's all right if you go outside the lines; you can always erase them later.
Finishing
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5
Use the medium sandpaper to round and smooth all of the sharp edges on your toy. Feel free to use a rotary sander instead.
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6
Give the wood an extra finish by using the fine sandpaper on the entire toy. This will give the toy a very smooth look and feel.
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7
Paint the toy with the non-toxic acrylic paint color of your choice. Keep in mind that the label on the acrylic paint must have an "AP Non-Toxic" seal.
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Tips & Warnings
For a more natural solution to acrylic paint, try sealing the wood with beeswax or using milk paint with a beeswax sealant over it.
Several acrylic paints have harmful chemicals such as lead and mercury, which can be dangerous if a child puts the toy into his or her mouth. It is crucial to look for the "AP Non-Toxic" seal.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo courtesy of Stock.Xchng
