Small & simple wooden toys

[kmealy]

I'm in a startup group of about 10 people from the woodworking club that are going to get together and make toys for Children's Hospital.  The club donated about 1000 last year.   We're looking for something small, simple to make, generally able to be painted by the patient, and compliant with safety regulations (loose parts,  small parts, strings, etc.)   The vast majority last year were trucks, cars, planes, etc.   So things that would be attractive for girls as well as boys welcomed.   Any ideas?

 

[DAB]

letter blocks are really fun to throw at your sister.....

[Gene Howe]

How about this? Scaled down.

 

[lew]

I have a friend who belongs to this club- https://www.masondixonwoodworkers.org/toy-shop

 

They do a similar thing. Maybe some ideas at their website. 
 

I have plans for a doll cradle if you need it. 

[Grandpadave52]

I'll have to really dig for plans, but what about train cars + the locomotive style engines?

 

Also, would small checker board with tic-tac-toe on reverse side playing boards be appropriate??? Not sure with unattached parts eg checker pieces and x&o's

[Gerald]

How about turned animals

https://www.pinterest.com/harvey3053/turned-animals-and-toys/

[HandyDan]

I turned some Harry Potter wands that were a big hit and easy to do.

 

 

Turned many ball and cup catch games too. 

 

 

Donated to the local Akron Children's Hospital.

[Masonsailor]

It is good thing you do ! 
Paul

[DAB]

set of building blocks?  nice pine or maple, rounded corners/edges, different sizes, can build things with them?  cubes, rectangles, arches, triangles.....

[kmealy]

1 hour ago, DAB said:

set of building blocks?  nice pine or maple, rounded corners/edges, different sizes, can build things with them?  cubes, rectangles, arches, triangles.....

Yes, I made a set of Keva blocks for my grandsons quite a few years ago.  They have enjoyed them but the hospital does not want things that are easily thrown around.  

 

1024 blocks, 12 edges rounded, 6 sides sanded, not that I counted

 

For another set of grandkids I made some blocks that were cubical of different sizes, tapers, and arches,

Edited March 27, 2024 by kmealy

[kmealy]

19 hours ago, lew said:

I have plans for a doll cradle if you need it. 

I've made several cradles and doll beds over the years, 3 daughters and 7 granddaughters, plus more for charities

Edited March 27, 2024 by kmealy

[Danl]

My Guild makes about 4,000 toys annually and disperses them to the hospitals monthly and to Toys-for-tots semi-annually.  We found the girls like the wands.  Some of the hospitals like letters that are 6 in. in height.  The kids with long term care like to pick a letter, that is their name initial, and color on it.  Danl