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How to Make a Wooden Name Train

When learning to spell, a lot of kids play with name trains. These are simple train models which hook together, or use magnets, where each car is a letter from the name, arranged in order. You can rearrange them to spell out other words. They are most often wooden, and have a nice rustic feel to them.

Things You'll Need

4-by-4-by-2-inch wood blocks
Marker
Jigsaw (optional)
Paint and varnish (optional)
Masking tape (optional)
Drill and bit
Toy wheels and axles
Cup hooks and eye hooks, or mountable magnets

Instructions

- 1
  Pencil in a drawing of a train engine on one block and a caboose on another. Draw out the letters of the name on the other blocks. Make the letters bubbly or chunky and friendly-looking. You can also add stars or other shapes if you want to lengthen the train.
- 2
  Mark where the axles will go into the wood. Put them at the corners of the block, about 3/4-inch in from either end. This may require drawing a flat base onto cut-out letters like Y and T, so that you don't cut the wheels off. Make this flat base at least 1/2 inch wide, or wide enough for the magnets if you are using them.
- 3
  Draw over the outlines of the engine, letters, other shapes and caboose with a marker.
- 4
  Cut out the shapes of the letters and train cars using a jigsaw. On letters like O and R, make a hole with a drill and then cut the hole out from there.
- 5
  Paint the letters and other train cars. Wait for the paint to dry.
- 6
  Drill holes through the axle marks made earlier. These holes need to be slightly wider than the axles, so use an appropriate bit.
- 7
  Push the axles through the holes, then install the wheels on either side. Test the wheels.
- 8
  Attach an eye hook or a north-pole magnet to the end of the engine. Install a south magnet or cup hook to the front of the first letter. Hook the two together. Repeat with the remaining letters.

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