DIY Network

Wooden Building Blocks Create this heirloom toy. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-511

Build blocks that rock.

There's a good reason building blocks are one of the classic toys: They're fun. And these heirloom wooden blocks are even fun to make, with help from B. Original host Michele Beschen.

Instead of spending a fortune on a store-bought set of traditional, wooden blocks, make your own from pine 2x4s. They're sure to become a favorite with the child in your life; scroll down to get started.

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Wooden Building Blocks

Materials:

12 pieces of 2x4 pine, 18" long
measuring tape
pencil
small carpenter’s square
miter saw or hand saw
drill
Forstner bit
sandpaper or power sander

Note: These blocks are sized to fit Michele Beschen’s open toy crate. Ife your blocks will be stored in a different-sized box, change the dimensions as needed.

	Figure A
	Figure B

• While cutting the blocks from the 2x4s, keep the pieces from each board together. All of the pieces from each 18" 2x4 will fit in one row down the length of the open toy crate; Michele Beschen puts the blocks in the crate as she works to keep them together. When the blocks are complete, they all will fit perfectly in the crate – making them a puzzle as well as a building toy.

• To make the blocks, simply measure and mark each board to cut into different sizes and shapes (figure A). Use a carpenter’s square to make sure cuts are straight. Cut long rectangles, short rectangles, squares and even triangles.

  Safety Alert: Make sure to wear safety glasses and use caution whenever using a power saw or power drill.

• For some of the blocks, use the carpenter’s square to find the center of a square block, then drill a hole at the center using a Forstner bit (figure B). Cut the square in half or diagonally to make a simple arch (figure C). Or, cut on both diagonals to make a triangle with one notched corner (figure D).
  

  Figure C

  Figure D

  
  

  Figure E

• When all of the pieces are cut, sand them well to eliminate any rough spots or splinters that could catch little hands.

• Leave the blocks and crate natural or decorate them with stain, paint, stencils or a wood-burning tool (figure E). You may even want to create a numbering or lettering system for the blocks to make it easier to fit all the blocks into the crate. Seal everything with non-toxic varnish.

  Safety Alert: Make sure to use non-toxic paints, stains and varnishes when finishing the blocks, crate or any other toys. Remember, young children put everything in their mouths.