How to Make Wooden Toys

Creating wooden toys diy is a rewarding craft that combines creativity, precision, and a love for woodworking. These timeless toys not only offer durability and charm but also evoke a sense of nostalgia and craftsmanship.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced woodworker, making wooden toys is an enjoyable way to create unique, eco-friendly playthings that can be cherished for generations. This guide will walk you through the essential steps of how to make wooden toys, and mention tools, and tips needed to make your own wooden toys with care and confidence.

Materials Needed to Make Wooden Toys

To start crafting wooden toys, you’ll need the following materials:

1. Wood – Choose high-quality, non-toxic wood such as maple, beech, or birch, which are durable and safe for children.
2. Sandpaper – Various grits (e.g., 80, 120, 220) to smooth and refine edges and surfaces.
3. Non-Toxic Wood Glue – Ensures strong and child-safe connections between wooden components.
4. Wood Finish – Select a food-grade or non-toxic finish, like beeswax or mineral oil, to protect and enhance the wood.
5. Paint or Stain – Use child-safe, non-toxic paints or water-based wood stains for adding color.
6. Hardware (optional) – Small screws, nails, or pegs for movable parts or jointed toys.
7. Templates or Patterns – Pre-made stencils or hand-drawn patterns for consistent shapes and designs.

With these materials, you’ll have the foundation to create safe, long-lasting wooden toys.

10 Methods How to Make Wooden Toys

1. Using a Scroll Saw for Intricate Toy Designs

A scroll saw is a versatile tool that’s perfect for making intricate cuts in wood, making it an ideal choice for creating detailed wooden toys. To begin, sketch your toy design onto a piece of thin plywood or hardwood. Popular toys that can be made using a scroll saw include puzzles, figurines, and animal shapes.

Secure the wood onto the scroll saw’s platform, select a fine blade suitable for small, delicate cuts, and slowly guide the saw along your design. This method is excellent for making toys with detailed features, such as animals with multiple parts, or for creating shapes with curved edges.

2. Carving Wooden Toys by Hand

Hand carving is one of the oldest and most satisfying methods of making wooden toys. This technique involves using a variety of carving tools, such as knives, gouges, and chisels, to shape a block of wood into a toy. Popular toys made by hand carving include wooden dolls, animals, or figurines.

To begin, select a softwood like pine, basswood, or butternut, which are easy to carve and work with. Start by sketching your design onto the wood and carefully carving away the material, focusing on one section at a time. Hand carving allows you to create highly personalized and unique toys, as you can make adjustments and add intricate details during the process.

3. Making Wooden Blocks with a Table Saw

Wooden blocks are classic toys that can be made using a table saw. Begin by selecting a hardwood, such as maple or oak, which will create sturdy and long-lasting blocks.

Cut the wood into blocks of uniform size using a table saw, ensuring the edges are smooth and even. For added safety and to avoid sharp edges, use a sander to round off the corners. Wooden blocks are versatile toys that can be stacked, sorted, and used for imaginative play.

4. Creating Wooden Cars with a Lathe

A lathe is a fantastic tool for making wooden cars, trucks, and other vehicle-themed toys. To create a simple wooden car, start by turning a block of wood on the lathe, shaping it into the body of the car. You can use various types of wood, such as cherry, maple, or walnut, depending on the desired finish.

Once the body is shaped, you can drill holes for the wheels and axles. The lathe allows for smooth, even curves, which is perfect for creating toy cars with rounded edges and a polished surface. After shaping the body of the car, you can add wheels made from smaller wooden discs, attaching them with dowels or metal axles.

5. Building Simple Wooden Toy Trains with Dowels and Glue

Toy trains are a popular and timeless wooden toy that can be made with simple tools like a saw, dowels, and wood glue. Start by cutting the pieces for the train’s engine and carriages using a saw. For added detail, you can use a jigsaw to create rounded shapes for the body or wheels.

Assemble the pieces by drilling holes for the axles and connecting the parts with dowels. Wood glue is essential for securing the joints, ensuring that the train is sturdy and safe for play. You can add wheels by cutting circular wooden discs or purchasing pre-made wooden wheels.

6. Crafting Wooden Dolls with a Lathe

Using a lathe, you can also craft beautiful wooden dolls. Start by turning a small block of wood to form the body, head, and limbs of the doll. Depending on the design, you can shape the doll’s body to have a rounded or more sculpted form. Once the basic shape is created, use hand tools to carve finer details, such as facial features or clothing.

For added realism, you can insert wooden dowels for the arms and legs and secure them with wood glue. Wooden dolls can be further customized by painting or staining them and adding accessories like clothing or hair. This method is perfect for creating unique, hand-crafted dolls with smooth, natural curves, which are both durable and safe for children to play with.

7. Assembling Wooden Puzzles with a Scroll Saw

Wooden puzzles are a great educational toy that can be made with a scroll saw. Begin by cutting a piece of plywood or MDF to the size of the puzzle board. Next, sketch or print out the puzzle design and glue it onto the wood surface. Using the scroll saw, carefully cut along the lines of the puzzle pieces.

You can make the puzzle as simple or intricate as you like, depending on the skill level of the child it’s intended for. Once the pieces are cut out, smooth any rough edges with sandpaper and apply a non-toxic finish to protect the wood. Wooden puzzles are excellent for developing hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and creativity, making them a timeless toy option.

8. Using a Router to Add Details to Wooden Toys

A router is an excellent tool for adding decorative details to wooden toys. After cutting the basic shape of your toy, use a router with a carving bit to add textures, patterns, or designs. This can be used to carve intricate patterns on the sides of wooden toy trains, cars, or dolls.

For example, you can add lines to create the appearance of wood grain or carve out grooves to make a toy truck look more realistic. The router can also be used to smooth rough edges or create bevels on the corners of the toy. This method is ideal for adding professional-looking details to your toys and giving them a polished, finished appearance.

9. Making Wooden Rocking Horses

A wooden rocking horse is a classic toy that can be made using a combination of woodworking methods. Start by cutting out the body of the horse using a saw or jigsaw. Next, use a lathe or hand tools to shape the legs, creating smooth curves for the rocking motion.

The head and tail can be carved using hand tools or shaped with a scroll saw for a more detailed design. Once the parts are assembled, use dowels and wood glue to secure them, ensuring the structure is stable. Sand all the edges and apply a finish to protect the wood. Rocking horses can be painted in various colors or patterns to suit your design preferences.

10. Using a CNC Router for Precision Toy Making

For those with access to a CNC router, this method allows for highly detailed and precise toy making. CNC routers use computer programs to cut wood with extreme accuracy, making them ideal for creating toys that require complex designs or repetitive patterns.

You can design your toy digitally using CAD software, and then the CNC machine will follow the design to cut out the parts with precision. This method is particularly useful for creating larger quantities of the same toy or toys that require intricate details, such as puzzles, figurines, or multi-part toys.

Conclusion

Making wooden toys offers endless creative possibilities, whether you’re crafting simple blocks, intricate puzzles, or functional toy vehicles. Each method described above provides a different approach, depending on your available tools, skill level, and desired outcome.

Whether you choose to use hand tools for a personal touch, power tools for precision, or even a CNC router for professional-quality designs, creating wooden toys is a fulfilling way to produce beautiful, sustainable playthings that children can cherish for years. Thanks for reading, and we hope this has given you some inspiration on how to make wooden toys!