How to Make a Mini Wagon

Invoke nostalgia of the old West with mini wagons.

Even though cars and trucks now dominate the world of transportation, the spirit of horse-drawn wagons still persists, as their rustic charm reminds us of a simpler, pre-industrial time, our pioneering past and the old West. Whether you are having a western-themed party and need table decorations, have a historic-era dollhouse, or have a train set with an old West landscape, you can make miniature covered wagons with simple craft materials in order to add that extra touch of history to your project or event.

Things You'll Need

• 3/8-inch balsa wood sheet
• Ruler
• Utility or craft knife
• Straightedge
• Craft glue
• Compass
• 220-grit sandpaper
• Wood stain or paint
• 30-gauge craft wire
• Small finish nail
• Hammer
• Fabric

Instructions

1. Cut the parts for body of the wagon out of 3/8-inch thick balsa wood. Use a straightedge as a blade guide to make straight cuts. Make the sides 4 inches by 2 inches. Make the front and back 2 1/2 inches by 2 inches. Make the bottom 4 inches by 2 1/2 inches. The overall dimension of the body is 4 inches long by 2 1/2 inches wide by 2 inches deep.

2. Adhere the pieces together with craft glue and sand any rough edges with 220-grit sandpaper.

3. Trace four 3-inch diameter round shapes with the compass on the balsa wood sheet. Cut them out with the utility or craft knife. Use the knife to cut out wedge shapes inside the round shapes so what is left looks lie the spokes of the wagon wheels. Glue the centers of the wheels to the wagon body.

4. Tint the wagon and wheels with a dark wood stain to give it a richer, more rustic wood color.

5. Create the wire ribs for the covered part of the wagon. Use wire snips to cut four 7-inch lengths of 32-gauge wire. Bend the wires into U shapes.

6. Attach the wire ribs. Use a hammer and small finish nails to create four evenly spaced holes along the top edges of the balsa wood on either side of the wagon. Insert the ends of the wire into the holes.

7. Cut a 7 1/2-inch by 5-inch piece of fabric.

8. Place the fabric over the ribs. Fold the front edge of the fabric around the first wire rib and glue it to the underside. Fold the back edge of the fabric around the back wire rib and glue it to the underside. Fold under the bottom edges of the fabric and glue those to the top side edges of the wagon body.

References

• National Park Service: Building a Covered Wagon
• PL Daniels: Working with Balsa Wood

Resources

• Party 411: Country Western Theme Party Planning Guide