Boatworks Today Posted November 23, 2014 Report Share Posted November 23, 2014 I have two little girls (1&4) and Xmas is roughly a month away. Personally I refuse to buy plastic crap toys that run on batteries (they still get them from the grandparents, though ). This year my oldest wants to play Santa and come down to the shop and make her little sister some gifts. What we've worked out is that I make the stuff and she helps assemble and paint it. I don't have much time other than a few minutes Saturday night and a couple hours Sunday morning, so whatever the project is I have to get it more or less done Saturday night for her to finish off the following morning. Obviously these have to be quick simple projects. The first one on her list was an airplane; next is a truck . I got the plane cut out and sanded tonight in about 10 minutes. Nothing fancy, but it's going to be something that big sister can decorate and give as her own. This got me thinking, what other kind of toys can be built very quickly for little kids using scrap lumber? Thought this might be a fun thread to start for those of us with little ones looking for ideas. So my challenge, what can you come up with that takes less than 10 minutes of working time (give or take)! Here's tonight's plane (no small pieces that can break off and get put in the mouth . EDIT: Excuse the apple in the 2nd pic, their dinner wasn't cleaned up yet ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodbutcher74 Posted November 23, 2014 Report Share Posted November 23, 2014 Toy boat, toy boat, toy boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 23, 2014 Report Share Posted November 23, 2014 Love the plane dad but, it needs a propeller Frankly, I got into this hobby after my kids were a bit older so don't have any suggestions for quick easy toys. However, my kids and I do build the bulk of our gifts every year and it's a great lesson for them! Hats off for what you're doing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted November 23, 2014 Report Share Posted November 23, 2014 Dude, you aren't making a BOAT???? Building blocks, if the recipient is young enough to appreciate them. Maybe a little mallet to drive dowels through holes in a board? Marc's grasshopper toy is a good choice, but might take a bit longer. A little older, and wooden swords get popular with the boys, at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted November 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2014 Love the plane dad but, it needs a propeller Frankly, I got into this hobby after my kids were a bit older so don't have any suggestions for quick easy toys. However, my kids and I do build the bulk of our gifts every year and it's a great lesson for them! Hats off for what you're doing! It's going to be given to a 1yr old, so I omitted the prop and wheels as it's something delicate that could break off and be put in the pie hole 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted November 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2014 The boat was a couple years ago for my oldest when she was 2 . Cute little tugboat (but it took a little longer than 10 minutes) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted November 23, 2014 Report Share Posted November 23, 2014 That is the most impeccably eaten apple I've ever seen. Is your daughter part squirrel? How long did it take her to gnaw that thing down so perfectly symmetrical? Good Lord! Otherwise I have nothing interesting to add. Like the plane, love the boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted November 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2014 That is the most impeccably eaten apple I've ever seen. Is your daughter part squirrel? How long did it take her to gnaw that thing down so perfectly symmetrical? Good Lord! Otherwise I have nothing interesting to add. Like the plane, love the boat. She takes after my OCD . She is a perfectionist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted November 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2014 Well, it's funky but she had fun . Spray a quick clear and call it done. Next is a little truck.. Kiki / Eric / Lord of death, etc . Surprised you haven't been roped into doing something like this yet .. Our kids seem to be similar age.. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted November 25, 2014 Report Share Posted November 25, 2014 Christmas project this year is a full-sized bed for my little buddy, so that's taking up all of my available shop time. It's gonna be a stretch to finish it on time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted November 25, 2014 Report Share Posted November 25, 2014 Well, it's funky but she had fun . Spray a quick clear and call it done. Next is a little truck.. Kiki / Eric / Lord of death, etc . Surprised you haven't been roped into doing something like this yet .. Our kids seem to be similar age..image.jpgimage.jpg A Gripper Float Plane! How Cool! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 25, 2014 Report Share Posted November 25, 2014 That's awesome BW, paint job is the best part! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted November 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Project #2, a catapult! Truth be told this was most likely for the oldest to launch fruit, various veggies from her mini kitchen, and of course "iz-a-Betty" (aka: her elephant). This is probably going to get arm-r-sealed by me, but she's already come up with a game called "launch" where we take turns trying to launch various things into the seat of a chair . Good times... Truck will likely be next unless a little girl changes her mind (which never happens) . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Hmm.. I can see some fun games there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapid Roger Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Funny you should show a catapult. I just had a birthday this week and my son gave me a catapult as a gift. Mine was supposedly designed by Dav Inchi and there is some assembly required Rog 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collinb Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 1. A birdhouse. Lots of flat pieces, square. Few holes to drill Glue and paint. 2. Beginning doll house. Start with a frame. Grow it each year or perhaps a little each month. Make it an ongoing family project. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted November 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Funny you should show a catapult. I just had a birthday this week and my son gave me a catapult as a gift. Mine was supposedly designed by Dav Inchi and there is some assembly required Birthday 2014 001.JPG Rog I think yours is a little cooler than mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Dav Inchi Good one...Inchi...I get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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