A wonderfully talented reader, Lindsay, sent me these instructions and photos for a couple really great projects for young toddlers: handmade lacing beads and a photo puzzle. I’m really excited to try these. Perfect for my very busy two year old.
Here are her instructions to create your own:
Lacing Beads
Materials:
(You will need to use a miter saw and a drill with a 1/4″ drill bit)
one 1″ square dowel
one 1″ circle dowel (you could use other sizes that are close)
5 or so wooden balls 1 1/2″
medium grit sandpaper
non-toxic craft paint in 5 different colors
one shoelace
Measure and mark the dowels to have about 7 one-inch pieces and 7 half-inch pieces from each dowel (you will have extra wood). Wearing safety goggles 🙂 cut on the marks with a miter saw. Drill a 1/4″ hole through the middle of each piece, including the wooden balls. Sand each piece. Paint each set of pieces a different color. Sand lightly after they’re dry to prevent the pieces from transferring color. Tie a large knot in the end of the shoelace and they’re ready to use.
Picture Puzzle
Materials:
(you will need to use a miter saw)
one 1 1/2″ square dowel (other sizes could be used)
sandpaper
mod podge, paintbrush
1-6 5×7 prints, depending on how many sides you want as puzzles
paper cutter
Mark the dowel every 1 1/2″ and cut with the saw to make blocks. Sand blocks. Cut the picture(s) into 9 pieces to fit the blocks (just a little smaller than 1 1/2″ square). Attach the pictures to the blocks with mod-podge and let dry.
The DIY lacing beads are brilliant!! I know my go-to first birthday present now!! Thanks so much for sharing!! I blogged about it here:http://makealong.blogspot.com/2011/01/diy-lacing-beads.html
these are cute! I thought I was really cool for purchasing a package of small wooden spools at the craft store, to use for bead stringing. but this is cooler.
I came to post the same: I used 1 1/4" blocks from caseyswoods.com, a most delightful small woods source (I've seen similar at Michael's), and illustrations from a children's book, using six, one on each side. http://purplepetunialife.blogspot.com/2008/12/fairy-block-puzzle.htmlwas my first effort & I've done several since. They're a great gift for tweens to make for siblings or cousins.
great idea, Sarah! And glad to see that you found blocks without having to cut any :). I'm good at 'lazy' crafting
I made the puzzle blocks using pre-cut blocks from the craft store. They have a variety of sizes and it makes the project very easy. I did a "Where the Wild Things Are" puzzle. http://juneviolet.blogspot.com/2009/10/puzzle-blocks-maurice-sendak-style.html
LOVE this!! Sending to my sister — perfect for her twins!! (or maybe I'll just have to make them with my older boys – and send them off to her. So fun!!)
absolutely love this! Thanks for sharing:)
Shelly, I bet you can buy plain blocks and beads at a craft store. Might make the whole project much simpler
I love the picture puzzle and it looks fairly simple to make as well.
I love the beads! Will have to try those when my boys get a little older. Love the gorgeous colors!
i love the idea of doing 6 pictures…one for each side of the cube. makes it a little more advanced, though. 🙂 oh the joys of keeping little dudes entertained!
what great ideas, i love the lacing bead one!
I am all over that block picture puzzle idea. How fun would that be!! Thanks.
these are awesome thanks for sharing
These sound great but I don't have a miter saw. Can you buy those beads or blocks already cut? Like at a craft store?
brilliant!
lovely ideas. I would love to create one of these lacing beads. my niece would love it!
I've seen the blocks done with 6 different photos. one for each side! very fun.