Making children's wood toy blocks is very simple and inexpensive. Provides hours of fun without batteries for children as well as color learning and color vibrational therapy. Making children's blocks can also be very profitable and are great gifts.

Supplies Required

1. (4) 8’ 1x2’s ($1.47 ea)

2. (6) 1” craft paint brushes ($1.47 for 3)

3. (6) 8 fl oz bottles of acrylic craft paint non-toxic child ($1.77 ea)

Medium Blue #11309

Tomato Red #11441

Kelly Green #11304

Purple #11338

Bright Yellow #11305

Orange #11012

4. (6) paper plates

Tools Required

1. Miter Saw or miter box

2. Sander power or hand

3. 60 and 120 grit sandpaper

4. scrollsaw or coping saw

5. nail

6. short string

7. measuring tape

8. carpenters pencil

Time Required

1. With power tools from start to finish approx 14 hrs

2. With out manual tools from start to finish approx 28 hrs

Makes approximately 150 blocks

Total Cost: $19.44 (approx.)

Total Value: As they say……”Priceless”

Step1: Assemble all supplies and tool.

Step 2: Measure and mark blocks for cutting. Small square blocks are 1 and 5/8”. Medium blocks are 3 and ¼”. Large blocks are 6 and ½”. Short sticks are 2 and ½”.

Step 3: Cut blocks. First make all straight cuts, 6 large blocks, 60 medium, 48 small and 6 short sticks. This is approximate; you will probably get more depending on the quality of the wood.

Step 4: Cut diagonal blocks. Use 6 of the medium blocks. Get two boards approximately 8”x4” to create a jig. Set the miter saw on 22.5 and cut both boards on a right angle. Set the miter saw back to zero, center cut and place the medium block aligned corner to corner with the blade and lock in place with the jig you created. See picture below.

Step 5: Cut stick blocks. Use 6 of the medium blocks. Turn the two 8”x4” jig boards around to the flat side of the board and lock in place securely holding the block to cut in half. See picture below.

Step 6: Cut out bridge and half moon blocks. Tie a string around a nail, tie a pencil on the other end ¾” long in between nail and pencil tip. Place nail at center outside edge on long side of block and draw the half moon like a protractor. Using a scroll saw or coping saw cut the half moon block out of the bridge block.

Step 7: Sand all of the blocks with 60 grit sandpaper. When all of the roughness is sanded off, sand again with 120 grit sandpaper smoothing and rounding all edges of blocks.

Step 8: Paint all of the blocks. Pour a small portion of paint onto a paper plate and paint 3 sides of each block on a protected surface. Let it dry completely, approximately 15 minutes. Then apply another coat of paint. After paint has dried, turn over and repeat the two layer painting process.

Tip: Wash your hands in between colours to prevent colour sharing.

Step 9: Clean paint brushes with water. You should have plenty of paint left for numerous other projects or even more blocks.