My grandson will soon be one year old. Can anyone recommend an age-appropriate project that I might make as a gift for my grandson’s first birthday. The project can be an heirloom type or a modern project to be made from wood. I have a fairly complete shop with both wood and some metal tools.
Your recommendations for an age-appropriate project for a one year old boy will be appreciated.
Replies
Lorenz,
What wonderful memories your post has stirred!
I cannot comment on an appropriate wooden gift for a 1 year old, but I can comment on two things my grandfather gave me that are safely sealed away in my earliest and dearest memories.
When I was very young, my grandfather made two items for me. One was a very small rocker, the other a step stool. The rocker I eventually out grew and it was passed down, but only after I had spent hundreds of hours reading, watching TV, or just hanging around on it. The step stool I still have, 50+ years later. For many years it gave me access to the bathroom sink and shelves just out of my reach. 50 years later I no longer need a stool to brush my teeth, but I still use it to reach just a little farther.
If there is a moral or direction to all this, it is this. Build something that will give him hours of comfort and security, or something that will help him reach beyond his own capabilities. Either way, you will know that long after you are just a memory, your memory will be all the stronger for your thoughtful gift.
Best wishes,
Rennie
Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Edited 7/25/2006 4:51 pm by Rennie
A small rocking chair is a good idea. How about a small table with a couple of chairs? Something he can sit at and color, or look at books, or play with his Playdoe.
When my son was about that age I built him a small rocking horse which one of his uncles named "Pizza Face." The name stuck and 23 years and a sister later they both still remember ole Pizza Face. My wife and I are waiting for the day when we have our first grandchild and ole Pizza Face will ride again! :)
-Chuck
Lorenz,
I recently made a little "cobbler's bench" and mallet for a friend's grandchild. The "bench" is a shoebox sized H, dadoed ends, with a half dozen holes in the horizontal member. Into the holes are inserted dowels, which the child pounds down with the mallet, then turns the bench over and repeats. Make the holes pretty good sized diameter 5/8-3/4, and either undersized, (or make/find dowels that are a little oversized), so there is a bit of friction in the fit. The dowels should be split by sawing them lengthwise half their length, then rotate 1/4 turn and saw from the other end, so the kerfs are at right angles. This gives the oversized dowels the slack they need to slide thru the holes. Make the dowels long enough that they will not be a choking hazard. Shellac is a nontoxic finish. I used walnut for the bench and mallet head, hickory for the dowels and mallet handle, made a nice contrast.
Regards,
Ray Pine
You've gotten some good ideas already. For more ideas, head to a good children's shop and check out their furniture and toys. You'll find something good to do, and get some ideas about color and scale etc.
A chair and table to color on, eat on. Make it fancy enough to serve as a low end table in the future.
Lorenz,
When I was a kid, my dad gave me a large bench/toybox that he had made in his shop. I used it for years (as opposed to under the bed). He painted a checkerboard on the lift up seat. My 10 yr old son has recently been begging for one as my wife is on his case about the mess in his room and she won't let him use the closet or under the bed.
I'd also second the rocking chair. I saw that Sam Maloof actually has a child's version of his rocker. I'd think that would be an ideal gift if you could learn how to make one. I'm going to be taking a class in the near future on making the full sized one.
Rod
As a "Poppy" myself I can totally agree with all of the above, Chair, rocking horse and step stool. But the Job doesn't stop there. Mommy and Grandmom would sure appreciate a handmade picture frame for babys first cake eating photo.Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
rocking horses go over big with kids...a step stool or chair may have more practical application, but the rocking horse will seem more like a toy for them to play with and enjoy...
A child-size marimba with soft mallets, and oversize alpha-numeric building blocks both seem age appropriate.
Please let us know what you decide to make,
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Hey, I like that marimba idea. I've got a nice chunk of purpleheart just begging for such a good use, and both my daughters are really into banging things, and music. Thanks. :)My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
If you build it, you should consider giving the parents ear plugs as a consolation gift ; - )
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I'm one of the parents, so we're OK there. I sure know what you mean, though... my daughters have SO MANY toys that make noise on their own. One is a rocking horse and it's a little messed up. You'll just be sitting in the living room talking and the silly horse will start its gallop sound. It's sometimes disconcerting.My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
I made a bed, bedside tables, and bookcase for my daughter. The furniture is all full-sized/solid wood and can be used for a lifetime (or two). The bed is a double, I slightly regret not making it a queen for future use. My intent is to use the set as a guest bedroom set when she moves out (in a very long time (she is 4 years old now)). She would probably not need it right away (e.g. in a college dorm), but probably would take it when she moved out into her own home. Even if she didn't use it in her master bedroom, it would serve as guest furniture.
I guess the point of this ramble is I personally chose to make something that was versitle enough to be used in all phases of life. For example I didn't want to make a crib because it is used for a short period of time and stored for a long period of time. I hope that she has the furniture I build for her forever and can always remember me when she uses it.
K1500 ---My 2 daughters are too big to make grownup stuff for them.My 2 granddaughters (one by each daughter) do have:1) low end table with kid sized chair1a) high end table2) 3' china/display cabinet2a) 5' sofa table with doord3) 3' and 5' drop leave dining tables with 8 chairs4) bunk beds - upper long twin, lower full5) highboy6) misc boxes and knick knacksAdult items for kids will last forever.
Agree with your approach very much - make something full-sized.
Lorenz,
My daughter will be one on Aug, 1. I made her a small, 18"h x 16"d x 26"l, toy box from some pine I had . At that age many things are too advanced for such a little person and most of the time end up in their mouth. I figure she can put all her presents in there that she gets from the grand parents, so I really should have built a bigger box.
Anyway, it is tall enough for her to hold herself up on now so that she can use it to help her walk around the room. Plus I think it will be handy to have as she gets older as well.
I used a friction lid stay to keep the lid from pinching her little fingers.
Still need to carve her initials on it and slap on a couple of coats of milk paint.
I like projects like this which are simple, but also offer challenges to those looking to build skills. If you are looking to practice hand tool basics, this would be a good opportunity.
J.P.
Thank you for the suggestion. That is a very attractive toy box.
Your welcome.Good luck on your project, whatever it may be.Maybe, post a picture after you finish.J.P.
My grandfather (an old world carpenter from Germany) made us grandkids small step stools. Very simple out of oak and I still have mine (I'm 55). Another thing he made for me is a toy box. Still have that full of personal treasures with my alarm clock sitting on top. Wake up to it every morning.
I made my two boys a large collection of blocks made from 2x4's. A little cutting, a little sanding, a little corner rounding and they have endless fun.
I made this rocking chair for my grandson and he just loves it. Look at it here http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=1447
It is easy to make and is very stable.
I like the step stool idea that has been mentioned. My grandson is getting to the age where he will be able to use it "grow up" a few inches.
Thanks
All of these ideas are great. I made them cribs, 11-drawer adult dressers and adult beds. My 4-year old granddaughter , she was a little over two when I made her an adult-sized trundle bed, still take everyone in to show them the "big girl bed" her Poppa made for her.
My wife has passed down the child's step stool her grandfather made for her.
We are used to crafting things and I think we sometimes underestimate the impact of gifts that come from our hands and hearts, even in very young children.
Whatever you make, it can't be wrong!
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