| Don't you sometimes feel that your hands just | | | | here. |
| beg at you to leave that computer and that desk | | | | A toy |
| for a moment and go to make something with | | | | There's nothing better for your kids than a |
| them? That's precisely what attracts many | | | | wooden toy. The warmth, nature feeling and |
| people to do-it-yourself projects. The human is | | | | simplicity of the wooden toys can't be replaced |
| born to create - and although many of us create | | | | by today's plastic or remote controlled toys. |
| a lot of great things using the keyboard, nothing | | | | Making a wooden toy can be very simple or quite |
| can be compared to making a "real world" thing | | | | complex depending on the toy, the number of |
| yourself, with your own hands. | | | | details and level of preciseness it requires. One |
| One of the most appropriate materials for doing | | | | great idea for a woodworking project is to make |
| projects yourself is wood. It's affordable, relatively | | | | a wooden horse riding toy. |
| easy to use, friendly to the environment and long | | | | When making toys, special attention should be |
| lasting. If you are an enthusiast or even just a | | | | paid to finishing works as you don't want the child |
| beginner, here are seven great ideas for | | | | to cut itself on some chop. |
| woodworking projects that you can do yourself | | | | A swing set |
| and be proud of the result. | | | | We are moving onto a more complex project. |
| A stool | | | | Building even a simple outdoor swing set requires |
| Building a wooden stool is probably the simplest | | | | connecting many parts, some basic level of |
| project you can do. If this will be your first | | | | engineering and a good amount of work. Of |
| woodworking project, it's great idea to start with | | | | course you can pick a simple swing plan to start |
| making a stool. There are all kind of stools, but a | | | | with - just one long transom attached to a low |
| very simple one can consist of just three boards | | | | tower on the middle. Such a swing, often called a |
| - one for sitting and two for "legs". For more | | | | "saw swing" can be used only by two kids at the |
| stability one perpendicular lath can be added | | | | same time. |
| between the legs. You can also build a stool that | | | | An outdoor shed |
| has four legs, but that's a bit more complicated. | | | | If you are ready for a more serious project, you |
| A bench | | | | can consider building an outdoor wooden shed. |
| The benches are pretty simple too, depending on | | | | The sheds consist of large parts like walls, door |
| the design of course. I consider them slightly | | | | and roof and include not only woodworking - you |
| more complex woodworking projects than the | | | | may need to use concrete or gravel for the |
| stools because they are longer and more than | | | | foundations, to learn how to dig holes, how to |
| one body can sit on them. A simple bench can be | | | | install lagging and so on. |
| made by six pieces - one long and wide plank for | | | | Building an outdoor shed is not a project for |
| sitting on it (can be a compilation of several | | | | absolute beginners - you need intermediate |
| boards if you don't have a wide enough one); | | | | experience. So if you are looking for a first DIY |
| three vertical planks for legs - one on each side | | | | project, start with tables or benches. |
| and one in the middle; and two horizontal ones | | | | A tree house |
| that will connect the legs and ensure more | | | | Here's one even more exciting but fairly involved |
| stability. Of course I would recommend you | | | | project. A tree house is a great gift for your kids |
| downloading a bench plan with somehow better | | | | and not only for them. But it really requires a |
| design than what I described. | | | | very serious planning and good quality of materials |
| A table | | | | and work. If your treehouse is unstable, your kids |
| The projects are getting slightly more | | | | can be impaired in case the house get broken and |
| complicated, but not much. The first three | | | | fall down. |
| projects has a lot in common, because they | | | | Making a tree house combines woodworking, |
| consists of a plank and several legs. One of the | | | | engineering, landscaping and even gardening |
| reasons tables are slightly more complex is that | | | | knowledge. |
| they need longer legs - which requires the legs to | | | | Remember: don't start an intermediate or |
| have some additional support if you want a stable | | | | advanced project before you've done something |
| table. Tables also can be rounded, folding or have | | | | simple. Even a stool can be exciting if you like the |
| all king of extravagant designs - there is more | | | | design and love to work with wood. |
| room for experimentation and creative work | | | | |