How to Build a Stork Sign
Stork yard signs are an American tradition for announcing the birth of a child. The stork represents good luck and fertility, which inevitably started the myth of storks delivering babies. Many parents display a stork sign in the front yard to alert neighbors to the new addition to their family, including the baby's vital statistics. Rental companies offer these signs for a limited lease, but you can also make one yourself.
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Things You'll Need
- Stork image
- Sandpaper
- Plywood sheet (1/2 inch thick)
- Outdoor paint
- Pencil
- Saw
Instructions
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1
Take your stork image or clip art to your local print shop and have them enlarge the image to the size you want your sign to be. Most stork signs are 6 or 8 feet tall, including a 1- or 2-foot high section at the to list information about the baby.
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2
Cut out the image to create a stencil shape you can trace around.
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3
Sand one side of the plywood and paint it white.
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4
Put the stork image on top of the plywood and trace the design with a sharp pencil. Also trace over all the lines in the stork's shape, pressing hard to transfer it to the plywood.
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5
Leave room to draw a cloud under the stork's feet that measures 1 or 2 feet, where the baby's name and other information can be listed. Also leave 4 to 6 inches on the bottom of the cloud to stick the plywood into the ground.
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6
Use a saw to cut out the stork. A table saw or jigsaw will work the best for this type of project. Save the scrap pieces of wood to help secure the sign in the yard if it will not stand on its own.
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7
Sand down the edges of the plywood. Use an electric sander to do this faster. Make sure the edges are no longer jagged or rough.
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8
Paint the stork sign. A thick paintbrush will aid in painting the shapes. You will need to apply several coats of paint. It is optional to paint the stork the symbolic pink and blue colors to indicate the baby's gender. Once the baby is born, you can add the baby's name and any additional details.
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Allow the paint to dry completely. Consider adding a clear coat of protective lacquer over the entire sign to prevent any damage.
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Tips & Warnings
To put the stork in your lawn, push it down carefully. Use a rubber mallet if necessary. If the stork will not stand upright on its own, attach two pieces of the scrap wood to form a "V-shape" brace behind the stork board.
