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How to Build a Jacob's Ladder Wood Toy

First popular during the late 19th century in Germany, the Jacob's ladder toy will still delight children with its illusion of tumbling blocks. In the Bible, the prophet Jacob sees a ladder extending from heaven to earth, and the Jacob's ladder toy is named for the Bible story. Children over the age of eight could be included in the toy-making process, which relies on glue for construction after the blocks of wood have been cut.

Things You'll Need

Saw
Sheet of 1/4-inch thick plywood
Ruler
Sandpaper
1/2-inch Wide sturdy cloth ribbon, 5 yards
Scissors
White glue

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the sheet of plywood into 10 2-inch-square pieces. Sand the edges of the blocks with the sandpaper until they are smooth.
- 2
  Cut the ribbon into 5 1/2-inch lengths with the scissors. You should have 30 lengths when done.
- 3
  Attach one length of ribbon to the center of one edge of one wooden block, 1/2 inch from the edge extending outward, with the white glue.Glue two lengths of ribbon to the opposite side of the wooden block, 1/2 inch from the corners and 1/2 inch from the edge, extending outward. Repeat with eight more square blocks, leaving one block without ribbons. Let all glue dry for 30 minutes.
- 4
  Wrap the ribbons under the blocks and lay the blocks out on a flat surface, like a table, in a long vertical row with the ends of the ribbons extending outward.
- 5
  Stack one block on top of another. Pull the first block's ribbons up to cover the edges of the second block and glue them in place, keeping the ribbon as taut as possible.
- 6
  Repeat with all blocks, adding the final 10th block and gluing down the ribbons. Let all ribbons dry for two hours.
- 7
  Work the Jacob's ladder by holding the top block by its edge and tipping it to touch the second block. This will trigger the tumbling action of the other blocks while you tip the top block back and forth.

Construction Toys