Woodworking Ideas for Toys

There are several woodworking ideas for toys to build for your next project.

Woodworking has thrived as a pastime for years. When first beginning woodworking, you easily can create a puzzles or a Jacob's ladder. Also, try building a bookshelf to showcase your toys or a toy box to store them. Beginner woodworkers can build these toys to sharpen up skills before moving to larger pieces of furniture or more intricate toy building.

Puzzle

Use a thin blade to ensure a tight interlocking of the pieces.

Design a wood puzzle. Make the exterior shape of the puzzle anything you want. For example, If your child likes dolphins, cut the exterior into the shape of a dolphin. Use the thinnest blade of your band saw or scroll saw to cut the pieces of the puzzle. Sand each puzzle piece with a fine grit sand paper to remove splinters.

Jacob's Ladder

Cut six pieces of wood in identical measurements. Sand the wood, and coat it with a clear stain to remove splinters. Connect the wood with ribbon or other material. This fun toy only requires minimal woodworking skills.

Bookshelf

Move on to a bigger project by creating a bookshelf to display your creations. Scale the bookshelf to fit your needs. Also, for those who want to eventually build things other than toys, the bookshelf provides a good transitional object to practice building on a larger scale.

Toy Box

Consider building your child a toy box that will give him space to store all his toys, including the ones you build him. It will also help you practice building larger things, which can prepare you to build furniture or larger toys such as a wooden rocking horse. In addition to functionality, this box may become a token of childhood that stays with your child throughout life.

References

• Shopsmith Hands On: The Toy Puzzles
• Mathematische: Jacob's Ladder Toy

Resources

• Wood Worker Workshop: Boxes and Chests for Toys
• Wood Worker Workshop: Toy Shelves