Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Gather your scrap wood. Stubs of lumber are excellent for this project. Even the end of a 4-by-4 can be used. If you have scraps of shelf wood, such as pine board, grab them too. Blocks can be made of just about any scrap wood. Make sure it's real wood, not compressed or particle.
Use a hand or circular saw to cut ends from the assorted sizes of wood scraps. If you slice 1 inch off the end of a 2-by-4, you have a block that is a rectangle. Cut it in half and you have 2 square blocks. Cut many shapes and sizes. Make several of each shape and size by angling cuts, using assorted scraps, and varying the widths and sizes.
Sand all the rough edges of each block. The edges that received the cuts will need to be sanded well, until smooth to the touch. This is done so that little fingers will not get splinters. It also helps the paint adhere to the wood, and gives the blocks a nice smooth finish.
Paint each of the blocks a bright color. Set them on a surface covered by newspaper, and apply two coats of paint to each block, on all sides. Do the edges too for the best look. Allow the first coat one hour to dry before applying the second. Use acrylic or latex paint and a medium-sized, soft-bristled paint brush.
Use the small, fine paint brush to paint numbers on the blocks. Say you have 25 blocks; use the numbers 1 to 25 on the blocks. Give each block its own number. Allow numbers to dry. Say that you have made 26 or more blocks, paint the letters of the alphabet on each block. The first block A, the second B, and so on. Allow to dry. The blocks are educational in many ways. They can be used to teach shapes, colors, numbers and the letters of the alphabet. They may also be used as building blocks. Your kids will love them and learn from them too.