Hardware Store Children's Toy

Remember that super easy and fun bracelet caddy from last week? Well... after it was all made. Christopher decided that it was so very fun to take the bracelets on and off of it. It almost seemed like... a toy?

Why of course! How simple and perfect it is for a little toddler toy right?

So... here we are... a simple toy made completely out of hardware store supplies (and a little washi tape if you so please...)

Supplies

MDF--cut down to 3" W x 15" L

1-1/2" Wood dowel--cut to 9" Lc

Wood glue

Drill bit that will allow you to countersink your screw

Drill bit

3 Wood screws

Not shown
Paint
Paint brush
Washi tape (if you would like...) 

Instructions

Begin by measuring where each dowel will be attached.

You will want to measure in from the left 4" for the first dowel. Measure in 3-1/2" to the second dowel, and another 3-1/2" for the third dowel. This will leave 4" to the far edge. Next measure 1-1/2" from the top edge in so the dowels will be placed in the center of the MDF width wise.

Once you have the placement for each dowel measured out, use the countersink drill bit to drill out enough of the MDF for the screw to not stick out beyond the MDF. You want the MDF to be able to sit flat.

Next pre drill a hole in the MDF and in the dowel so that you won't have any puckering or movement when you go to attach everything.

Okay, time to attach the dowels! Apply a little wood glue to the end of the dowel (where it is going to attach to the MDF).

Drill up through the bottom of the MDF through the wood and into the dowel and ta-da! Attached!

Now you can spice up the wood any way you would like! For the toy I painted just top of the platform and the top of the dowels. I liked a little spice of color but wanted to keep much of the natural wood.

I wanted to include a matching aspect to the toy as well. To do this, I used washi tape. Paint would have worked well too actually. Although I was a little worried the paint would chip off the PVC pipe.

I used three different kinds of washi. Each type was wrapped around three pieces of the PVC and the top of one of the dowels. This allows for the child to match the patterned washi on the pipe with the washi on the top of the dowel.

and Christopher LOVED it! No explanation was needed... he totally got it! I love seeing young children learn and play...

He actually showed me this little toy is also wonderful storage for washi tape!!! and the tape looks super fun on there too... all the colors and patterns mixed together! What do you think?? So many uses this little thing... I love it!

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Monday Funday, Say Not Sweet Anne, Skip to my Lou, Sewing Barefoot, Sarah Dawn Designs, Salt Tree, Sugar Bee Crafts, Tip Junkie, Today's Creative Blog, The Winthrop Chronicles, Ginger Snap Crafts, Rae Gun Ramblings, Sugar and Dots, Rolled Up Pretty, Live Laugh Rowe, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Somewhat Simple, The Taylor House, Finding Fabulous For Less