SO who does the Christmas toy making around here?

Edited October 12, 20196 yr by BillyJack

Reason I ask is other forums seem to do a little during christmas time...

There are/were a few here that displayed toys they made.

I don't remember if they were for family or for selling though.

I don't make many toys anymore since the little girls next door are older. 

Some stuff we made for them over the years-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lot of nice stuff there but looking more into the free giveaway stuff for needy

I make two dozen of these ball and cup games for the Akron Children Hospital each year for about the last 6 years now.

 

 

Made 40 of the puzzle boxes last year for the kids and adults kids too.

 

 

In past years I have made tops

 

     

 

 

String throw tops.

 

 

Yo-Yos.

 

 

There are others but Photobucket won't cooperate.

 

 

 

Edited October 12, 20196 yr by HandyDan

Jack, hope you don't mind, I moved this topic to General Woodworking Forum, it deserves a place in the real lineup.

Also, this is something I have entertained for a few years now, a toy drive for charity.

We also have our annual fundraiser for our Adopted Wounded Warrior/Gold Star Family for Christmas project each year, we are getting ready to fire it up at the beginning of Nov, we acquire funds via a raffle with donated items by our sponsors, you guys buy raffle tickets, 100 percent of the funds go to purchasing Christmas presents for the kids, and a Christmas meal. On the side, some of our members have built or made items for the kids too, to send along with all the gifts we purchase. So depending on the age of the kids we adopt this year, you may in be in business to make some wooden toys for our adopted family. That could be a great filler idea, till we can actually fire up a specific wooden toy drive say for St Judes For Kids, or groups that represent kids who lost military parents in our current wars.

Just throwing it all out there.

 

Here was last years project:

 

And member @honesttjohn comes through each year with something like this:

 

 

If you'd like, keep your mind open to perhaps building your toys for our adopted kids this Christmas?

 

Great.. I was curious as I havent seen anything. It usually starts later  than I think it should I guess...

 Nice stuff there Handydan..

Edited October 12, 20196 yr by BillyJack

Yeah, TPW "Toys for Tots" would be great. Doesn't need to be just at Christmas time. St. Judes could probably always use toys. A great way to spread the joy year round.

What paint or colored stain is recommended for kids toys?

It may sound dumb but, I've used a strong mix of UNSWEETENED Koolade for toy stains. I'd think that almost any water based paint would be safe, also. Even, water colors. If desired, a water based finish would be ok, too.

Shellac is safe for kids to chew on too.

1 hour ago, John Morris said:

Shellac is safe for kids to chew on too.

Careful. It's addictive. 

3 hours ago, BillyJack said:

What paint or colored stain is recommended for kids toys?

I made two gkids sets of basic blocks (the first photo in this conversation).  I used food coloring.  It makes pastel colors.  Let it dry for a couple days.... or a Mom will share pics of pink tongues with you!  The colors are not vibrant, but realize that to a 2~3-yo kid, esp one without any other toys, even the simplest item is a wizzard.