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How to Make Wood Snakes

A wooden snake is a simple and fun toy. It can move and flex like a real snake with none of the biting danger. You can make several wooden snakes and make them look completely different with unique paint jobs. All you need for this project is a wooden dowel, a cord and a few basic tools and supplies.

Things You'll Need

Saw
Wooden dowel
Belt sander
Paint and brush
Cord
Glue
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a 2-foot section of 1-inch wooden dowel.
- 2
  Round the ends of the dowel on a belt sander. If desired, use the sander to taper one end to a smaller diameter to form the tail.
- 3
  Cut the dowel into 1-inch pieces. Leave the head end 2 inches long.
- 4
  Paint the dowel sections green.
- 5
  Drill a 3/8-inch hole through the center of each dowel section. Drill a hole only halfway into the longer end piece.
- 6
  Fill the partial hole in the longer end piece with craft glue and insert a piece of 3/4-inch cord. Allow the glue to dry, securing the cord in place. This longer end forms the head.
- 7
  Tie a knot in the cord at the base of the head, then slip a dowel section along the cord and against the knot. Tie another knot against this section.
- 8
  Continue sliding dowel sections along the cord, tying a knot between each. The knots form spacers between the sections, allowing the snake to flex side to side.
- 9
  Fill the rear end piece with glue before sliding it onto the cord. Allow the glue to dry, then cut the end of the rope flush with the rear piece.
- 10
  Paint details on the snake as desired.

Wooden Toys