| Did you know that for every three square feet of | | | | cube structures, anyway? |
| scrap lumber approximately one square foot of | | | | After cutting and shaping, the next step is rounding |
| building structure can be made? Think about this: You | | | | out the rough edges through sanding. This is a labor |
| will be saving 10 acres of pine and 33 mature trees | | | | intensive process but is worth the trouble splinter |
| when you recycle that many scrap lumber! | | | | safety-wise. You can use a power sander to smooth |
| Now that this interesting bit of recycling information | | | | down the rougher edges and then fine sandpaper for |
| has snagged your attention, let us tap into a more | | | | finishing touches. |
| manageable way to recycle lumber scrap. You can | | | | Words of caution when cutting into shapes: For |
| turn them into wooden toys blocks! Here is how. | | | | younger babies, the wooden toys blocks must never |
| Look for Appropriate Wood Scraps | | | | be less than 3 inches in size otherwise you increase |
| As much as not all wooden toys blocks are created | | | | choking hazards. For all ages, very sharp and very |
| the same, not all lumber scraps are scrapped the | | | | delicate corners are big no-no's otherwise you risk |
| same. You have to avoid pressure-treated wood at | | | | breaking and piercing accidents. |
| all costs because these have been infused with | | | | Color Me Purple |
| harmful chemicals and preservatives for | | | | Or any other color you care to paint on. Of course, |
| insect-repellent and rot-resistant purposes, of which | | | | you can always leave the wooden toys blocks in |
| the most dangerous is arsenic. | | | | their natural state with just a coating of natural wood |
| Instead, you should go for naturally-treated wood | | | | finishes to highlight the wood grains. You can choose |
| scraps with various grains. This way, you can have | | | | from beeswax, tung oil, almond and walnut oil, mineral |
| variety in texture and weight that will further appeal | | | | oil, and linseed oil; shellac is a natural option, too, |
| to your children's senses. A very good piece of | | | | except that it can cause allergies in children. |
| advice: Ask woodworkers about the appropriateness | | | | If you wish to color the wooden blocks, then you |
| of the wood scraps for toys before you purchase | | | | must choose safe options to avoid health |
| them. | | | | complications like allergies. You can choose from |
| Cut and Shape | | | | acrylic paints (many colors, easy application, no fumes |
| Here is where the fun begins. You can cut the wood | | | | but look for AP Non-Toxic seal), watercolors |
| scraps into any shape you desire - triangles, squares, | | | | (beautiful stains, look for AP Certified Non-Toxic seal) |
| rectangles, cubes, polygons, stars - that you envision | | | | and milk paint (odorless when dry, completely |
| your children can appreciate. After all, imagination is | | | | biodegradable, hurray). |
| not bounded by the Earth's roundness! | | | | Now, your children can enjoy countless hours of fun |
| Besides, if your children are going to build imaginary | | | | playing with their wooden toys blocks! At the very |
| buildings and thingamajigs from the wooden toys | | | | least, you augment their cache of educational toys at |
| blocks, it helps to have various shapes and sizes on | | | | a lesser cost. |
| hand. Whoever says space skyscrapers have to be | | | | |