Wood Toys

If I ever opened an Etsy Shop it would be called "grandpa's wood shop" because I make everything in my ... grandpa's wood shop.  He has been working with wood since before I was born and is incredibly talented.  I like to do the same, although I'm no...where....near as good as he is.  Yet, I have to start somewhere.

I wanted to make some wooden toys for my kid(s) to play with.  Wood is sturdy, timeless and well, my wood toys come with memories and are a priceless heirloom.

I googled wooden toys and found several on Etsy, most of which were quite expensive (but considering how much time it takes to make one, I totally understand it).  Anyway, I pinned a few and decided to go ahead and make my own.

I bought materials at The Home Depot & Walmart (spent approx. $60) and started making my own patterns, tracing and then headed to my grandpa's wood shop.

The items I decided to recreate: here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.
Mine are different, but I love them just the same, maybe a little more since they are made from my own elbow grease and my grandpa's skill.

Fishing pole & fish:

 My grandpa and I slaved over how to make the hook (the one on Etsy was just too hard for an ameatur like myself).  My grandpa suggested a smaller dowel.  I like it.  I might update or make another/some more with magnetic fish instead of the dowel for younger kids, but I still absolutely love this little toy....and so does my little guy.

Jump Rope:

 My grandpa is amazing on the lathe.  I just absolutely love how these turned out.  Seriously.  The example I looked at is painted red, but I just love the natural look of this.  I might eventually have to make larger holes for thicker rope, but it's just right for now

Stacking Sorter

Again, I absolutely love how this one turned out.  It was actually super easy too.  I cut a 8' x 10" board and got a 4" x 10" piece for the base.  The dowel is I think 5/8 or 1/4 I can't remember.  The shapes are 1/2" plywood (which I might recommend not using plywood, but actual wood).  Again, the one in the example is NOT painted, but I liked the idea of adding some color for interest.

 Lacing Toys:

Again, this toy is so much fun.  We did it out of the 1/2" plywood (which it was pretty messy to sand), but I love the thickness.  I made patterns for the holes on my templates so they are evenly spaced and my grandpa used his drill press to drill all the holes.  After some (lots of) sanding and smoothing, I think they turned out pretty cute.

 Bowling Set:

I had to order the ball online.  I found 3" balls on Ebay, 8 for $10 free shipping.  That made me happy and they are just right.  The pins are 8" tall.  My child is obsessed with bowling.  Anytime we drive past a bowling alley, he begs to go.  It's kind of strange and funny at the same time.  Anyway, we have a plastic bowling set, but I love now that we have a wooden one too.

I showed my sister my idea for these crafts and she wanted her own set so I was able to get two sets out of the wood and supplies I bought.  I still have a few more things to make, but I just love that my kids will have something special to play with as they grow up.

Made with love.

Total Cost: $65

Total Time: 10+ hours