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Woodworking Toy Projects

Nothing says the holidays like a toy train set. Only instead of running around the tree, this wood pull-train made by hand is a keepsake to treasure. Young children may not be ready for electronic toys, but wooden toys made by grandpa, or by anyone who has the right tools, lend to the imagination and feel good in the hands. With a scroll saw, a sander and a little patience, work on these woodworking toy projects in preparation for the next birthday or holiday season.

Wooden Helicopter Boomerang
- Reminiscent of the blades from a helicopter, this wooden toy comes together quickly but provides hours of play for the young or young at heart. With five blades and a 3-inch dowel extending downward from the blades for grabbing, throw it away from you as you would a throwing knife and watch as it spins, circles and comes back for you to do it again. Modify the plans to your choosing: larger, smaller, lighter or heavier blades. Materials include a 24-inch 2-by-4, a 3-inch long and 3/8-inch diameter dowel, some wood glue, water, heat and paint.
Alphabet Pull-Train
- An easy to make woodworking toy project, provided that you have a scroll saw with a Flying Dutchman No. 5 reverse blade, a drill with 1/4-, 1/8- and 9/32-inch diameter bits and an awl, this pull-train toy will delight for hours. Make out of the scrap knot-free wood of your choice. After making the engine, shape the letters of your favorite child's name with the scroll saw, put each letter on it's own car, add some purchased wheels or make them from large dowels, paint and seal. Each train car attaches to the one in front with simple eye screws.
Whimsical Wood Heart Puzzle
- Easy to shape, this woodworking toy project makes a gift for anyone at anytime of year. Made out of poplar or pine, make the heart as big as you want from material 3/4 of an inch to 1-inch thick. This heart has Cupid's arrow plunged through it as part of the puzzle. The player must figure out which end of the arrow comes out before taking the puzzle apart.
Boomerang
- If you try to throw a 1/4-inch thick piece of plywood, it won't go very far, but when you take that same piece of plywood and shape into a boomerang, it flies 10 times farther. The Canadian Home Workshop advises you use 1/4-inch thick Baltic birch and make several blanks, as you will lose more of them than you think, not because of throwing them, but because when family and friends find out about them, they disappear on their own. Use a band saw or jigsaw to cut the boomerang, and sand it to remove rough edges and paint.

Wooden Toys