Pipe cleaners ladybugs, popsicle stick houses and glittery paper bracelets – finding a do-together project that both you and your daughter can enjoy can be a daunting task. What is fun for you may not always be easy for her – and vice versa. Creating wood toys with your child is the perfect meet-in-the-middle project that you are both sure to enjoy.
By “creating”, I don’t mean spending four hours a day locked away in a workshop with a drill and a ton of wood glue. Many specialty online retailers carry unfinished wood toys just waiting for a personal, whimsical touch. Today, let’s explore one of the many wonderful projects that is both parent and daughter friendly.
What little girl doesn’t love dollhouses? Chances are your daughter has begged you for at least one this year. Just imagine . . . if she had a dollhouse unlike any other girl’s in the world! It isn’t a very difficult task to “decorate” the house yourself.
While you can purchase paints especially for wood surfaces, acrylic paints also work well if you finish with a coat of good sealant. Paint your walls with polka dots and cover your floors in pretty shag or animal print fabrics – or whatever suits her fancy. You can also buy unfinished miniatures and create picture frames for your walls. The possibilities are endless. Once you finish your dollhouse, you can begin on the dolls themselves!
Creating wood toys with your child is the perfect project for both you and your daughter. As your daughter outgrows her dollhouse, she can save it for her own children and she will have an oh, so sweet story to share of how you spent your days together creating this one of a kind treasure.
