Thread: Young girls toys <1yo

What about simple building blocks that are brightly coloured and interlock either like a jigsaw puzzle or by large dovetails.

The secret is to keep it simple and large enough not to be swallowed.

Welcome Blake and good to see you becoming involved.
Girls always seem to be difficult to find ideas for, but I have have made a few of these to give away to charity. I make the cradle part and my wife makes the bedding. A doll of some sort can be brought quite cheaply from $2 shops etc that fit nicely. This might be aiming at the wrong age group, but I don't know.

My daughter is 10 months old and she plays with the cars and trucks I made. I'm not a huge fan of creating the boy/girl toy divide as they will play with anything that interests them. The toaster below has also been very popular with my son and also.

I made a sit in rocker.
My son hardly used it. My daughter loved it.
After they grew out of it, I passed it around the neighbors for their kids to enjoy.

Originally Posted by Sir Stinkalot

My daughter is 10 months old and she plays with the cars and trucks I made. I'm not a huge fan of creating the boy/girl toy divide as they will play with anything that interests them. The toaster below has also been very popular with my son and also.

Just finished making a batch of those toasters myself to give away at Christmas

What a great selection of simple toy ideas. I have got to do the toaster!

When I gave up after carving 70 spoons and 30 forks, I still had lots of birch wood blanks, about 18mm square x 35cm long.
I ran a bunch of those through the bandsaw to make simple rectangular blocks for my twin grandsons.

The very act of piling them up is good hand-eye coordination for any child. Then a little older, put the blocks in a bucket,
dump them out and do it again.

Now, the boys are 2yrs old (October). One likes to make tall piles and knock them down. The other needs them to fill the dump truck.
I saw the blocks on a September visit, not as grimy as I expected.

I will cut fresh ones if/when they need them. Daddy can toss the first set into the fireplace.

G'Day Blake and welcome to a top part of the forum Toymaking were blokes & ladies put smiles on a child's face, bring hours of fun, play and imagination through hand made wooden toys.....
I too struggle with toys for little girls even though we had 3 girls, the grandsons opened a whole new world for me.
Some suggestions...
I like both "Sir Stinkalot's" and "Treecycle's" suggestions....the little vehicles are a hit at KindyGym. We've given away quite a few similar vehicles as well as simple dolls rocking cradles. A train on similar size & styling to that of the vehicles is another thought. Love the toaster idea, I haven't seen that one before. Blocks were mentioned by "cava" & "robson valley" can be make great stack toys with or without a peg or post to sit them over. At 10 months a cot, stroller, pram, stove, farm house/barn or dolls house are a little much but good for the memory bank for the years to come. That being said I've made 2 garages for little girls [one in pink & one in purple] another thought if your little one gets interested in matchbox cars. I've also done many "pull along block spinners" too as have "Treecycle". That's a thought, how about some "pull along animals" as there a heap of patterns for that style of toy. Drop me a "pm" or email if you need any pattern suggestions. The sit in rocker that "handyjack" could also be a sit on rocker though at 10months would worry me a little.
Cheers, crowie

Cutting it a bit fine but still could be made for Christmas how about a rocker like THIS one I made a couple of years ago

Thanks for all the replys
I like the idea of a block set or some little cars… something nice and simple
With size I've herd before if it can fit in a Kodak canister it's no good for under 3yo? Is this a good rule of thumb to work off?

Thanks[emoji375][emoji375][emoji1][emoji1]


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Originally Posted by Blake_00

Thanks for all the replys
I like the idea of a block set or some little cars… something nice and simple
With size I've herd before if it can fit in a Kodak canister it's no good for under 3yo? Is this a good rule of thumb to work off?

Thanks[emoji375][emoji375][emoji1][emoji1]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I'd go slightly larger for the little little one Blake as it'll be easier for them to hold and move...
With the blocks, if you're using a peg or post to feed them on to, just use up all the odd shaped offcuts..
Cheers, crowie

Hi Blake

regardless of gender, a toy for a 10 month old will be hugged, chewed, used as a hammer, thrown and any pieces that are small enough will be swallowed -- including pieces that can be pulled or broken or bitten off.
Depressing in terms of your work.


I wholeheartedly second the suggestion of a rocker.
at 10 months, the kid should be able to sit up and if placed in a rocker, use it as a rocker.
you should be able to find a plan of something like a swan or a snail that consists of 2 sides, a seat and back rest and a handle. All up 9 pieces, counting the battens on the sides to which the seat is attached.
If I can find the plan my father used I'll scan and post it here.

Originally Posted by Treecycle

Just finished making a batch of those toasters myself to give away at Christmas

Wouldn't that be a loaf of toasters?

as promised

the plans for nursery furniture -- from Woodworker Vol.63, No.793, December 1959

Yet again thanks for all the help
and Ian I do understand your statement of the blocks being used for pretty much everything but there intended purpose for at least a few months.
Might make a Set of blocks and a nice rocker should keep the better half happy


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