Helping you enjoy our creations in your home

Month: April 2020

Simple DIY Montessori Toys

Before our twins were born I realized that many of the smaller simple toys our newborns would use were quite simple to make with even the simplest of tools. Below are three such toys that can be made with a few scrap materials lying around the hobby room.

Montessori Interlocking Discs

7/16″ Thick x 3″ Diameter

Building the interlocking discs is very straight forward and simple. Selecting the thickness and diameter are the only limiting factors. I built mine using some 7/16″ oak scrap I had around from previous projects. I used a 3″ hole saw drill bit and cut 2 circles out. Once I have these cut I mark and measure out a gap that is exactly the thickness of my board 7/16″ and cut it out using a band saw.

Next I like to put a nice rounded edge on each circle using my 1/8″ round-over bit and sand and finish using my homemade beeswax and oil finish.

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Extra: If you have a CNC machine you can use my PDF file to cut your own quickly.

Montessori Grasp Cylinder and Pincer Cylinder

Palmer Dimensions

The palmer grasp block is designed for children as early as 8 months. They aid children in developing their whole hand grasp. This builds focus and fine motor skills. The pincer block takes the same concept even further by encouraging children to focus using their thumb and index finger

These are made quite simply by gluing 2 standard 1″ boards of wood together to form the overall thickness desired of 1.5″. Once this is dried I rip the board to 1.5″ wide and about 4″ long. I then cut this in half to form two rectangular cubes that are both about 2″ long.

I then mark the enter of each block and drill out a 1″ hole using a Forstner about 1.5″ deep. I cut 2 dowels about 3″ long. This is a possible chocking hazard here so it is important that the length is long enough to not be a hazard. I recommend using this chocking hazard tool for determining if any product has chocking hazards.

The palmer block is now ready for sanding and finishing, but the pincer needs to be shaped. I simply use my lathe to turn down and create a nice little handle on one end of the second dowel

Next I like to put a nice rounded edge on each block using my 1/8″ round-over bit and sand and finish using my homemade beeswax and oil finish.

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Montessori Rattles

The rattles are also straight forward. These are designed for when the child is not mouthing anything quite yet. The rattles allow the child to experience natural shapes and textures while also introducing the cause and effect of shaking the rattle with the bells. They require supervision and should not be used once the child starts to bring things to their mouths as these rattles do contain choking hazards if they come loose.

There are 2 basic types I made as show above. One is simply a dowel with 2 bells attached with eyelets on each end. The second type is a leather string that we slipped on wooden beads from the local hobby shop for texture and shape. Different variations you can add bells as well.

Tools Used

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Montessori Rocking Boat and Steps

This fun rocking boat can be enjoyed for years and years. Turn the boat over and it becomes a bridge, a set of stairs, or a even a small table.

Let’s Build

Tools

Materials

  • 4’ x 32” of ¾” Baltic Birch Plywood
  • 12’ of 1” x 6” Lumber (Actual ¾” x 5 ½”)  
  • 4’ of 1” Poplar Dowel
  • Sand Paper
  • Wood Glue
  • #8 1 ½” Wood Screws
  • (Optional) Finish
  • (Optional) Paint
  • (Optional) Brushes

Cut List

QuantityDimensionPurpose
248 L x 16″ W x 3/4″ Thickness PlywoodRockers
624″ L x 1” x 6” Thickness LumberSteps
224″ L x 1″ Diameter DowelHandles

Step 1 Build the Rockers

  1. Mark out rough dimensions of plywood 48×16
    • Mark out the center line at 24”
  2. Use either a baton or other method to create the curve for each rocker edge
    • I used a thin baton and anchored the baton at the center top edge and the two 4” marks.  This creates a nice smooth curve for the rocking edge
  3. Mark the 1.5” radius on all four corners to create a smooth edge.
  4. Cut out using the jigsaw or bandsaw the final shape for each rocker

Cut Slots for Steps/Handles

  • Mark all the appropriate locations for the steps and handles

IMPORTANT: Make sure to mark the appropriate sides of the rocker panels.  Each is a mirror of the other.

  1. Use a 1” Forstner bit and drill a 3/8” deep slot for each of the 4 slots for the handles
  2. Use a router and straight edge bit to create appropriate 3/8” deep slots for each step.
    • Tip: Clamp a straight edge to be used to guide your router for each slot.
    • If you do not have a router you can use a chisel to clear out each slot.

Dry Assembly

Once the rockers, steps and handles are all cut out and slots made I recommend dry fitting everything together.  Clamp everything together, countersink and predrill several holes for each step and handle through the rockers.  This will be where our screws will go for final assembly. 

  • Optional: You can also countersink the screws in deeper to allow for a wood plug to be added later but be careful not to countersink too deep as this can weaken the bond to the steps

Sand all pieces and prepare for finish if desired.

Final Assembly

  1. Apply glue to all slots
  2. Reassemble the steps and handles
    • Tip: I used the screws to help clamp the rocker together.
  3. Clamp as needed and wait until glue is dry

(Optional) Paint and Finish Work

  1. Ensure everything is sanded appropriated and add any edge banding to the plywood edges if desired.
  2. Prep, prime and paint.
    • I enjoy the natural appearance of the wood steps and handles and used a natural beeswax finish to seal the wood.

Enjoy!

Detailed Plans are also available

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