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How to Build a Toy Wooden Ship

More parents are choosing old-fashioned wooden toys not only because of the potential hazards with plastic toys but for their durability and educational value. Wooden toys may not have the bells and whistles that plastic toys may have but they give children a real opportunity for imaginative play, which is so important for their development. Making your own wooden toy boat is simple, and it will be especially loved and cherished for years to come.

Things You'll Need

Balsa or other lightweight wood or bark
2 sticks
Wood carving knife
Sandpaper
Fabric or paper
Wood glue
Drill
String (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Gently carve the hull, or the body of the boat, out of the wood. If you decide on using bark, you will not need too much carving. Stay with a raft or canoe shape. Keep the hull flat-bottomed so the child can play with the toy out of the water too.
- 2
  Sand the hull with sandpaper for a smooth finish.
- 3
  Make a sail with a triangular or square-shaped piece of paper or stiff fabric. Cut a mast stick approximately the same length as the hull. Glue a small stick along the bottom of a fabric sail for additional support.
- 4
  Bore a small hole into the top middle of the hull to make a place to glue down the mast. Glue the mast with sail in place. Let dry.

Wooden Toys