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.