RETRO STACKING TOY

I wanted to make a special gift for my dear friend's grandbaby that is turning one in a few weeks. I thought of making this wooden stacking toy. So many toys today are made from plastic and other materials, however, the feel of a wooden toy is so comforting. I think of this as a "retro toy" that hopefully Isla will enjoy for many years and perhaps pass along to her own children someday!

And I made it from one piece of wood!

One piece of wood

12" X 18"

3/4 wooden dowel

8" wooden plaque (for the base, or you can cut your own)

*assorted woodshop tools ; band saw, drill press, table saw

sandpaper

wood glue

painting supplies

measure the wood and into 6 pieces, each 6"X6"

design pieces and cut the shapes. I decided to do bugs in a garden theme.

I used a drill press with a 13/16 flat wood drill bit.

The hole didn't go completely through the wood I used for the stacking pieces, therefore, I had to flip each piece and continue the hole from the other side.

When drilling the hole in the base (to insert the dowel for stacking) I did not want to go all the way through.

I used an 6" square wooden plaque for the base of my toy. (An option would be to cut your own base. )

Place the dowel in the hole of the base and stack the 6 wooden pieces on top.

Measure and cut the dowel.

SAND ALL PIECES, including what will be the exposed edge of the dowel.

Paint all the pieces including the base.

Use wood glue to insert the dowel in the base.

I used Blick Studio Acrylic (non Toxic paint) and finished each piece with a water-based gloss finish. I wanted the pieces to be glossy as well as a surface that can be easily cleaned and also safe for Isla to chew on if necessary!

One side of each critter is detailed and the underside is solid colors of the rainbow.

One of the first Instructables I ever published, back in 2012 was my

Sandwich Stacking Toy/Coaster Set by Susan Cirigliano

I had forgotten that I made it using ONE PIECE OF WOOD!