So far I know of the free plans for the play stands... those are here: http://www.waldorfresources.com/gallery/designs/playstands.html

Kids Rocking Table:
http://ourhouse.ninemsn.com.au/ourhouse/factsheets/db/intheworkshop/06/622.asp

will be adding more as I find them! Please add yours so we can all get crunchy play for cheaper :)

Snow Sled
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/8108/sled.html

Toy Car, cute!
http://170.224.4.200/lkn?action=howTo&p=Build/ToyCar#term

another car
http://www.minwax.com/projects/toycar/toycar1.htm

http://www.triton.net.au/projects/int/i07.html

http://www.handymanwire.com/articles/picnic.html

http://www.fortunecity.com/westwood/smith/338/proj00.html

wooden beds, dressers and stuff from Popular Mechanics
http://popularmechanics.com/home_improvement/furniture/index.phtml

http://binkyswoodworking.virtualave.net/VanityPlans.html

http://lightning.prohosting.com/~vin/Blanket-Chest.htm

http://binkyswoodworking.virtualave.net/KidStool.htm

http://binkyswoodworking.virtualave.net/ChildsWorkbenchPlans.html

http://www.binkyswoodworking.com/BompysBarn.html

Wow, Thanks Crystal!

Originally posted by ~HarvestMoon~
Wow, Thanks Crystal!

you are very welcome :)

http://www.anythingicando.com/season1/proj_06/proj_06.htm

http://literacy.kent.edu/Oasis/PACT/bookshelf.html

http://www.bhg.com.au/home_improvement.nsf/Content/plans_projects_200010_196_wiggles_bed

http://www.bhg.com.au/home_improvement.nsf/Content/Plans+and+Projects+-+TV+-+construct+a+child%27s+bed

http://www.daveosborne.com/dave/projects/childtable.php

http://www.getwoodworking.com/projects/rocker/index.html

http://www.ubuild.com/KidsKonstrToolBox.htm

http://www.charm.net/~jriley/childbox.html

http://literacy.kent.edu/Oasis/PACT/clayhammers.html

http://literacy.kent.edu/Oasis/PACT/clothestree.html

http://170.224.4.200/lkn?action=howTo&p=HomeDecor/ci_dollhousebookcase.html&topic=howToLibrary

http://ourhouse.ninemsn.com.au/ourhouse/factsheets/db/craft/08/824.asp

http://ourhouse.ninemsn.com.au/ourhouse/factsheets/db/intheworkshop/09/934.asp

http://popularmechanics.com/popmech/homei/9607HIFMM.html

http://170.224.4.200/lkn?action=howTo&p=Build/LemonadeStd.html&topic=howToLibrary

http://family.go.com/crafts/buildmodel/feature/famf0400loftbed/famf0400loftbed.html

http://www.bhg.com.au/home_improvement.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/200104_bunk_bed.pdf/$FILE/200104_bunk_bed.pdf

http://www.diynet.com/DIY/mmo/DIY/fort.pdf

http://www.diynet.com/DIY/article/0,2058,1276,00.html

http://170.224.4.200/lkn?action=howTo&p=Build/PlayHouse.html&topic=howToLibrary

http://www.diynet.com/DIY/article/0,2058,1031,00.html

http://www.diynet.com/DIY/mmo/DIY/playhouse.pdf

http://www.bhg.com.au/home_improvement.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/200010_119_Cubbyhouse.pdf/$FILE/200010_119_Cubbyhouse.pdf

http://170.224.4.200/lkn?action=howTo&p=Build/RckHrse

http://www.diynet.com/DIY/article/0,2058,2762,00.html

http://www.diynet.com/DIY/mmo/DIYK/sandbox.pdf

http://www.bhg.com.au/home_improvement.nsf/Content/Plans+and+Projects+-+TV+-+Sandpit

http://www.bhg.com.au/home_improvement.nsf/Content/Plans+and+Projects+-+Shelves+with+boxes+-+HI-006

http://www.canoe.ca/HGRenovation_CanadianHomeWorkshop01/07_shoptalk2-par.html

http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=howTo&p=Build/ToyBox&topic=howToLibrary

http://www.bhg.com.au/home_improvement.nsf/Content/Plans+and+Projects+-+Toy+box+on+castors+-+HI-270

http://popularmechanics.com/home_improvement/furniture/1995/6/toy_chest/

http://www.diynet.com/DIY/mmo/DIY/blanket_chest.pdf

gumballs aren't too crunchy eh? maybe some tofu cunchies in there? ;)
http://www.bhg.com.au/home_improvement.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/200004_100_lolly_dispenser.pdf/$FILE/200004_100_lolly_dispenser.pdf

http://www.diynet.com/DIY/mmo/DIY/treehouse.pdf

http://ourhouse.ninemsn.com.au/ourhouse/factsheets/db/intheworkshop/04/499.asp

http://www.uniqueprojects.com/projects/woodletters/woodletters.htm?10091302011818

http://www.geocities.com/zuchick/swing.html

I am tired! LOL Hope someone looks at these now that I made 3 pages worth LOL

:) Not only did I look, I'm saving lots of the links and maybe even printing it all out. And believe it or not, I have the nerve to ask you if you might be able to find one more! How about an indoor playhouse, a la those big plastic cottages with the window and door? They are so expensive, and a wooden one seems like it's be pretty easy to build. I guess the thing is, it wouldn't come apart like the plastic ones, so you'd better build it in the room you plan to keep it in forever!

Thanks for all the links!!!

Amy

Thanks!!!!!!
I saved a bunch of these for gift ideas and to take the place of some of our toys. We don't have too many toys at all, we have wooden puzzles and a wooden train set, lots of books and a Discovery Toy game with beanbags. We do have a ton of Legos and Duplo blocks. I just don't see getting rid of those until they make something comparable in wood! ( I would love to try erector, but my boys are a bit too young.)

Wow!! Thanks!!!

Actually, yesterday, I was planning up one of those rocking boat things that Allison had in her living room... That looked really neat, and simple as well! Plus, J has sooooooo much wood and tools in his shop, I know I could make some cool stuff if I actually went in there! *lol*

So, what's the most recommended finish for wood toys and structures, or so most people leave it natural?

I am making Harmony a fairy treehouse for her birthday...it is turning out adorable. I bought some unfinished cheap birdhouses from Michael's and sawed a bigger fairy sized door in them, then sanded it. I also stained them which I WISH I had not done...I had no idea how yucky that stuff is!!!
And then I bought a few unfinished wood flat pieces from Michaels too. Found a big tree limb and am planning on nailing the houses and flat wood pieces on the limb, then setting it is a earth colored cement base (with pretty rocks and silk flowers)
I bought moss and dried flowers to glue on to the flat pieces and some incredibly cool mushrooms too!!
And will connect all the levels with little rope bridges and some handmade tree blocks.
Then made the fairies and elves from some ideas in the gnome book and the nature corner. They turned out beautifully!!!
I also found some neat accessories...little clay buckets (fairy sized) that are covered in moss!! How perfect to fill with acorns and seeds!!
It has been time consuming, but is turning out beautifully!!!!
Christy


Oh...and we were at a garage sale the other day, and Harmony kept asking, "mama can we make this at home?" rather than "can we buy this?" It was great!!!!

Originally posted by woodfairie
I am making Harmony a fairy treehouse for her birthday...it is turning out adorable. I bought some unfinished cheap birdhouses from Michael's and sawed a bigger fairy sized door in them, then sanded it. I also stained them which I WISH I had not done...I had no idea how yucky that stuff is!!!
And then I bought a few unfinished wood flat pieces from Michaels too. Found a big tree limb and am planning on nailing the houses and flat wood pieces on the limb, then setting it is a earth colored cement base (with pretty rocks and silk flowers)
I bought moss and dried flowers to glue on to the flat pieces and some incredibly cool mushrooms too!!
And will connect all the levels with little rope bridges and some handmade tree blocks.
Then made the fairies and elves from some ideas in the gnome book and the nature corner. They turned out beautifully!!!
I also found some neat accessories...little clay buckets (fairy sized) that are covered in moss!! How perfect to fill with acorns and seeds!!
It has been time consuming, but is turning out beautifully!!!!
Christy


Oh...and we were at a garage sale the other day, and Harmony kept asking, "mama can we make this at home?" rather than "can we buy this?" It was great!!!!

Christy! I hope you will post a picture of this when it's done! Sounds likw it will be gorgeous!

Originally posted by )O(Meeshi)O(

So, what's the most recommended finish for wood toys and structures, or so most people leave it natural?

Meeshi, this is just my opinion, but I think the best finish would be to rub it with bees wax. this will protect the wood, give it a nice shine, make it smell great, and most of all bee natural :)

Originally posted by gabrielbaby


Meeshi, this is just my opinion, but I think the best finish would be to rub it with bees wax. this will protect the wood, give it a nice shine, make it smell great, and most of all bee natural :)

Where do you get this and are there any specifics other than rub it down?? Does it harden like linseed oil? I was thinking if we use raw linseed oil we can use pine and it still be nice and hard like the more expensive woods, yk?

Originally posted by twiceblessed


Where do you get this and are there any specifics other than rub it down?? Does it harden like linseed oil? I was thinking if we use raw linseed oil we can use pine and it still be nice and hard like the more expensive woods, yk?

Basically, you just need to mix bees wax and oil 1/1 and rub it in to the surface. It dries hard and the more you rub in the better. You could use linseed as the oil. Some recommend mineral spirits, but I don't like that smell, blech! Melt the wax an oil together slowly, use a double boiler or the microwave. HTH!

If you want to oil it, use walnut or sunflower oil. Much safer than linseed oil...wouldn't want my baby sucking on linseed-oil-rubbed wood...yk? Food grade oil is best. Walnut and sunflower make really pretty wood; the walnut is a little darker, the sunflower very yellowish...but both look extremely natural.

Our playstands and kitchen are both oiled wood, and it's held up beautifully. I clean it with a microfiber cleaning cloth dampened with water, scrub any crayon marks out with a little baking soda and water paste if needed, and reapply the oil every 6 months to a year (I think I've oiled them once or twice since we made them).

Thanks...great plans! I'll have to post pics of our fort/swingset soon...it came out soooo cool, and mostly recycled from an old playset. We only bought a new swing beam, swings and a glider.

Originally posted by )O(Meeshi)O(
Wow!! Thanks!!!

Actually, yesterday, I was planning up one of those rocking boat things that Allison had in her living room... That looked really neat, and simple as well! Plus, J has sooooooo much wood and tools in his shop, I know I could make some cool stuff if I actually went in there! *lol*

So, what's the most recommended finish for wood toys and structures, or so most people leave it natural?

If you want I can trace the side of it for you. I think the only hard part is getting the curve the right slope so it rocks easily without rocking too much.

We use organic sunflower oil from the grocery store.

or was there a pic posted and i missed it?

Originally posted by mikaylasmama
or was there a pic posted and i missed it?

it was posted in the pics of your playrooms thread.

There is a rocking toy in these plans. It uses plywood, but not sure why you couldnt use real wood.i cant even picture how to make the underneath of a rocking boat. how do you get the wood to curve? i'm dumb about picturing stuff lol

I was gonna pm Allison and ask about that boat when I saw the pic, too ('cause I love copying Allison's ideas!).

I've seen a boat like that at http://naturetables.com/

I've attached a photo:

Is that sort of what yours is like Allison?

Janice

That fellow sells it as a kit ($165 US) and even has a photo of the pieces (so handy woodworkers could get an idea of how to make it on their own?).

Allison, if you read this, does yours turn upside down and become a bridge, too?

:)

Janice

Yes, mine is similiar, although I think mine is a lot nicer. It is solid maple, not plywood, it comes from http://www.communityplaythings.com (my absolute favorite wooden toy makers, I use to buy from them a lot when I owned a child care center). I would be easy to make though, if you had plans for the curve, the rest is self explanatory with measurements. The solid maple would probably cost an arm and leg though.

And my anti-plywood plug - I don't use plywood in my house. I think it is as toxic as plastic, if not worse. They use horrible chemicals in the glue that binds it together. Plus they use formaldyhyde as the perservative.
http://www.channelcincinnati.com/cin/health/healthteam/stories/healthteam-naturalhealthcheck-114217020011229-101255.html

Here are better pictures of mine
http://www.araspants.com/images/rockyboat.jpg

http://www.araspants.com/images/rockyboatstairs.jpg

Forgot to add, $165 is way to much for the one above. You can get the one from community playthings for $190 and that includes shipping. It comes completely assembled and it is solid maple, not plywood.

What is Top Choice wood? I wanted to get red oak but it was sooooo expensive... this is for my play stand. I was gonna get the pine but the top choice was a lot cheaper and looked just fine. But what kind of wood is it? I got it for like 23.00 for one stand.
Thanks for the info on plywood allison. I knew it was nasty stuff, thanks for the link. We dont buy plywood for anything. Figure if i want wood, i am gonna get wood! (well my entertainment center is plywood i am sure)

Originally posted by hannahsorchard
What is Top Choice wood? I wanted to get red oak but it was sooooo expensive... this is for my play stand. I was gonna get the pine but the top choice was a lot cheaper and looked just fine. But what kind of wood is it? I got it for like 23.00 for one stand.


???? No clue. If it is even cheaper than pine I would be wary that it is some type of fiberboard or compressed wood, which all have formaldahyde. Any wood that was once solid, then shredded and glued back together will have formaldahyde. Can you see the wood grain? Is it solid wood?

We used solid pine on your playstands (bought wood at Home Depot, we don't have Lowes yet) and it cost $40 for both playstands and the bar we use across them.

Thread on building your own stand:
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18396

Allison, I will take a pic so you can see what it looks like. I am clueless! LOL Maybe it *is* pine, who knows!

here is a pic I just took of one of the ends.
http://thedasofamily.com/woodend.jpg

Looks like pine to me. It may just be a cheaper cut of pine, meaning it has more knots in it. I don't mind knots though, as long as it saves me a few dollars :)

Originally posted by arasmama
Looks like pine to me. It may just be a cheaper cut of pine, meaning it has more knots in it. I don't mind knots though, as long as it saves me a few dollars :)

Yup, it's pine. I did some searching at lowes.com and found that there is a symbol on it and I found it is Ponderosa Pine :) Here is a link to the Top Choice. Glad I looked, I was really wondering what I had bought! LOL

oops, here is the link!
http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=pg&p=VendorPages/TopChoice/TopChoiceVendor&rn=none

nt

Originally posted by arasmama
http://www.communityplaythings.com (my absolute favorite wooden toy makers, I use to buy from them a lot when I owned a child care center).

Am I the only one who can't get this link to come up???

bump