Child's Rainbow Rocker toy
I originally found this on a Pinterest link. The DIY'er kindly blogged instructions as well as a template file for the side pieces. This is a child's rocker toy that uses non toxic food dye for the colored parts of the wood. A template is provided for the end pieces through a link provided or you can just eyeball your own. Overall, it is a fairly easy project but a bit time consuming.
When cutting out the template for the sides, it is best to cut the smaller holes first and the do the larger outer lines.
I used a Kreg's jig, Mitre saw, Jig saw, and a palm sander.
A note about the food dyed wood: I used about 20 drops of food dye per 1/4 to 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol and applied with a foam applicator. You have to be careful of what you lean your wood up against or it will create a line as the dye leeches out onto the other object. If I had to do it over again, I would have painted one side, let completely dry and then do the other side.
Since it is a child's toy, consider that you will need to sand, sand, and sand the side pieces very smooth to make sure little hands do not get splintered.
Comments
Pam the Goatherd
Fri, 06/12/2015 - 10:56
I've had this pinned on my
I've had this pinned on my board for a while now. Glad to see someone else has made it. I'm not in a hurry since my kids are all grown but no grandchildren yet. Someday I'll have a need to make it.
jennibee
Mon, 11/23/2015 - 07:17
Hi there. Thank you for the
Hi there. Thank you for the comment. My children are still using this. One thing I endede up learning is that the food dye needs to be sealed. I plan on using beeswax or something more natural to do it. If you don't, the color rubs off on the kids when they use it. :)
Lianna
Tue, 09/29/2020 - 08:34
Where can i find the plans…
Where can i find the plans to make this?
jennibee
Thu, 12/24/2020 - 12:45
Wood Rainbow Rocker Tem[plate
Lianna, Hi there. Just saw this. For some reason, the link to the template I had on here is gone. So I did a google search and found this one:
https://www.scribd.com/document/370653463/Rainbow-Rocker-Template
Or you can go here: https://pin.it/5awfA92
You will have to have it enlarged. I got mine done at a local office supply store that could make larger engineer sized prints. I prefer to enlarge the entire print instead of printing off multiple sheets and taping it together.