Making Toys That Teach: With Step-by-Step Instructions and Plans

by Les Neufeld

The difference between a good toy and great one is the ability to entertain--and instruct--a child at the same time. The author, a woodworker with a graduate degree in Curriculum and Instructional Materials, combines his skills to show parents which toys are most effective for early childhood education, and then he gives them all the information they need to build those toys themselves. Nine fun projects--from Pattern Blocks and Dominos to a Puzzle Train--will get little ones learning--without them even realizing it!

Genres: Woodwork, Crafts, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

As others have noted, this book presumes that the reader own a few serious woodworking power tools. For those who do, I think the book will be great. But it's a shame that it couldn't offer at least some projects designed for those beginners who lack a band saw and a drill press. Or perhaps it could offer more advice on how to do these projects without them.

There is another good book (Natural Wooden Toys: 75 Easy-to-Make and Kid-Safe Designs to Inspire Imaginations & Creative Play) that really only requires a scroll saw. It is true that those toys do not have the "teaching" attributes of those in this book, however.

[Alyssa Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of great information here. Will return to this again when ready to tackle some woodworking projects. Toys are mainly geared toward the toddler age but the fraction circles would be a great manipulative for elementary and middle-school math.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of interesting ideas.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book for beginners with clear, comprehensive, easy to follow instructions for making several toys for toddlers to pre-teens. Each toy has a teaching aspect to it, and there is a page set aside at the end of each project with useful suggestions for using the toy not just for playing but for learning while playing. The toys start off very simple and progress through the book to more complex, including an ultimate building block set and a toy train with several wagons. The simple toys can be made from off-cuts, if you have them, and a very basic toolkit. Although more expensive tools are suggested, such as a bandsaw, they are not necessary, and hand tools would be just as good.
This would be an ideal book for a new parent or grandparent. You don't need to have much experience of woodworking, just a few simple tools, some bits of wood, and enthusiastic youngsters!

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you're a professional wood worker, then this book would be great. But the projects are completely unrealistic if you don't have your own wood shop!

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

These toys look fun, and pretty doable with a few woodworking tools. I'm excited to make some. Now I just need a bandsaw....

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doesn't contain all the details some may want, but a well done book on making wooden toys for kids.

[Alanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fantastic book, the only shame is that to buy the tools required to make the toys costs many many times over the cost of just buying the toys!!