Block Container Gift

This is another cool object that you can make from two packets of craft blocks that can be bought from a 'variety' store. I will show the best way to assemble the blocks to make one yourself and give cautions where needed. This project is for upper primary and above, unless parents have the time to help. You have to trust the binding power of the glue more so in this project because the blocks hang over and gravity might try to pull them off.

Set up your pieces on baking paper that is somewhat resistant to glue.

Glue together five rows of five blocks. GENTLY squeeze the blocks together for best chance of keeping them in a straight line. The blocks will try to slide around a bit if you press too hard.

Glue the five rows together and very gently push in from all four sides. It also helps to 'shift' this assembly sideways so that it does not try to stick to one spot on the baking paper. 

Carefully rule a square with corners marked at the centres of the corner blocks (important).

Glue the first second level block along the ruled line from one of the corners of the marked square.

It is important that the glue is on the side of the last block and on the flat surface beside the line.

Repeat the process to the end of the row.

Getting there - one more for the row

Leave the actual corner space empty and apply glue after the corner and beside the next line.

In the same way put glue on the side of the last block and the flat surface beside the line.

And so on. By now you should be getting it...

When you have glued all four rows of this second level prepare to glue in the corner blocks. 

Make sure there is glue on the three surfaces in these corner spots and GENTLY press the corner cubes into these spaces. You don't want to dislodge the other cubes.

At the completion of the second level it is worth going onto something else, even waiting a day, so that the glue can set.

When you return, rule another square with corners market at the centres of the second level corner blocks.  

Start a third level row in the same way as the second level was started, from a ruled corner.

Off you go again. 

Start again around the corner in the same way as the previous level.

When all four third level rows are glued on, glue on the corner cubes in the same way you did the previous level.

And there you have it... a multifunctional container. You have used 69 blocks.

If there are a lot of blocks left over you might like to turn over your project (once the glue is strong enough) and proceed to make a pyramid with the remainder. 

My project sketch up and block number calculation by levels.

Woodcraft Table and Chair

This is another "woodcraft at home" project that uses craft blocks and therefore will not cost too much to undertake. This time, you will need two packets of craft blocks. Some packets have 36 while others 42. Whichever is the case, this table and chair assembly project will need 70 pieces. Wood glue is also required (obviously) and this will also need to be purchased if you don't have any ready at hand. A sheet of baking paper is very handy. It allows gluing the blocks on a flat surface and therefore keeping them as straight as possible in at least one direction. I offer a careful step-by-step guide below, starting with the table and moving onto the chair. Careful lining up of rows of blocks is important so PLEASE take care to do that for best results. I have added an instruction video if that helps HERE

Note the size of the glue drops. Not much is needed. Gently press the blocks together in a neat row and let the excess glue ooze out. You can then carefully wipe off this excess glue and carefully shift the piece you have glued on the baking paper so that it does not start to stick to that spot.

When two rows are glued (7 blocks each), gently glue the rows together. I tried to remember to always have "end grain" facing up. I forgot a few times though. 

Repeat the process joining the next row of blocks to the widening table top.

The table top is completed by gluing together four rows of seven blocks each. There can be variations to this table top dimension depending on how many blocks you have left over the required 70 for the basic project. 

While the glue in the table top is setting, go onto making the four table legs. Each table leg is made up of four blocks. Make them as straight and as neat as you can. 

The table legs can now be glued onto the table top. Spot glue the table corners and gently press the table legs into those corner tabletop blocks. 

Next is the chair. The chair seat needs nine blocks. This is best assembled as three straight rows of three blocks forming a flat "square" of nine. 

While the glue of the chair seat is setting, assemble the four chair legs gluing together two blocks for each.

The chair legs can then we glued to the corner blocks of the chair seat. AFTER THIS, there may need to be a time pause to give the glue a chance to set before turning the assembly over with legs down.

The seat backrest is another collection of nine blocks forming a square of nine, assembled in the same manner as the chair seat (see above).

VERY gently glue the chair backrest to one end of the upright chair and give the glue a chance to properly set before moving this completed chair about.

The final result is very cute. If you are able, or that way inclined, you can send a picture of your own effort to your teacher and friends. In the end, this project can become a gift for someone who has a dolls house.

Before I started this project I roughly sketched it up to check how many actual blocks were required. I was delighted to find that just two packets of blocks was needed, 70 blocks in all with some left over. I hope you enjoy the project and please leave a comment about how you went. 

Internet Woodcraft

I have worked toward creating a woodcraft experience for children that is somewhat online except for having to go out and purchase the materials and physically make the puzzle pieces. 

So is it really online? People are able to leave their homes and purchase the things they need from the shopping centres. The wooden cubes and the glue are easy to obtain from the variety shops that are quite prevalent. That part is not online. 

The instructions are online. The results can be shared online. Children need some physical activity away from online gaming and this project offers physical "hands on" time, creating the seven puzzle pieces which then leads into a new activity - figuring out the puzzle. It can even become an economical gift to paint to give to someone afterward. That's two activities in one and can be shared by a number of family members during these days of relative isolation. Enjoy.