How to Make Wood Toys for Free

Wood blocks can become expensive. Make your own wood toys for free.

Building blocks provide a source of entertainment for children, but buying them from the store nowadays can become costly. Wood blocks are easy to make at home and cost absolutely nothing if you have a few scraps of wood and some basic woodworking tools. You can paint cut blocks or simply finish them with some scrap sandpaper. Any way you finish them, you can have these free wood toys ready for use within a few hours of starting the project.

Things You'll Need

• Thick paper or card stock
• Shape stencil (optional)
• Pen or pencil
• Scissors
• Scrap 2-by-4-inch boards
• Chop saw, table saw, band saw or scroll saw
• Router (optional)
• Sandpaper
• Paint (optional)
• Paintbrush (optional)

Instructions

1. 

   Trace outlines on stiff paper to make patterns for your blocks.

   Create a pattern for your blocks. Use the card stock or thick paper to trace and cut out your pattern using the scissors. Use multiple patterns for different shapes.

   Common children's block shapes include squares, rectangles, triangles and circles. More complicated shapes include octagons, hexagons, trapezoids and ovals.

2. Trace your patterns onto the 2-by-4-inch boards. Make several copies of each shape on the wood. Place the patterns close together, but allow enough space for the saw blade to cut through the wood.

3. Cut out the shapes with your saw of choice. Follow the pattern you traced on the wood. Follow all safety precautions of your woodworking tools.

4. Soften the edges of the cut blocks using a router, if you have one, or by simply rubbing with sandpaper. Using a router on the edges adds a professional look but is not necessary. Use leftover sandpaper from another project and a few minutes of elbow grease to soften the rough edges of the newly cut blocks.

5. 

   Paint or no paint, these free wood toys will provide free entertainment for kids.

   Clean up your new blocks before use. Young children will put just about anything in their mouths, so remove any toxic residue, sawdust or splintered edges. If you have nontoxic, lead-free paint available and want to jazz up your blocks even more, brush on a coat or two and let dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Always follow instructions and safety precautions when using any power tools.

• Try personalizing your blocks by adding initials or names, or by drawing funny faces or animals on the shapes.

• Let your child design some shapes for you to cut out.

References

• Make Baby Stuff: Make Wooden Building Blocks