projects for a dad to be...

[keithh2oskier]

So my wife is 7 months pregnant and we have our first (a girl) due at the end of August. I am looking for some fun projects (for me) to build her stuff. I have access to a miter saw, table saw, and possibly a router if I still it from my dad. Obviously being an infant there will be time before she can use most things but can you give me examples or ideas on what to build. I remember when I was a kid my grandfather built a wooden train and my great grandfather built a replica of a ferry that we used to play with. Surprisingly it still exists in my grandfathers house.

Since were having a girl I really dont know what do do. My family is primarily boys...

Perhaps a table/chairs for when she is older for tea parties with her friends?

I am seriously out of my element. I just painted the nursery pink yesterday.


HELP ME!

 

[fflintstone]

So my wife is 7 months pregnant and we have our first (a girl) due at the end of August. I am looking for some fun projects (for me) to build her stuff. I have access to a miter saw, table saw, and possibly a router if I still it from my dad. Obviously being an infant there will be time before she can use most things but can you give me examples or ideas on what to build. I remember when I was a kid my grandfather built a wooden train and my great grandfather built a replica of a ferry that we used to play with. Surprisingly it still exists in my grandfathers house.

Since were having a girl I really dont know what do do. My family is primarily boys...

Perhaps a table/chairs for when she is older for tea parties with her friends?

I am seriously out of my element. I just painted the nursery pink yesterday.


HELP ME!

I HAD a plan that allowed you to build a rocking horse out of 2 X 6 lumber I am sure you can find something online.

check your man card at the door and look for ideas on pinterest, my wife shows me interesting **** from that all the time.

 

[DirtRoad]

Haha your not going to build **** once she is here

Welcome to parent hood

 

[Chaznsc]

A doghouse?

 

[Thumper68]

When my girl was a baby, I built her all kinds of stuff

A circus train, the different animals cut out and painted bright colors and then mounted on wheels.

Matching cradles one for her and a smaller one for her baby dolls.

I high chair, hardware and plans can be found at rockler.com

Alphabet blocks.

Seeing as I also have 2 boys for all of them I built a block building set, log cabin logs.

Get yourself a scroll saw and make puzzles I used patterns made from coloring books, very easy project cut 2 pieces of 1/4 inch hard board, lay out and cut one into the pieces and the frame and then glue the frame to the 2nd piece, attach small knobs to the cut out pieces to make it easier for a small child to place them, paint them anyway you wish.

Don't forget a toy box, shelves for books and toys, a 3 dimensional mobile to hang above her crib.

On a side note I gave all my kids toy tools to play with, there was nothing better seeing my 3 year old daughter put her elec Barbie car up on ramps and crawl under with her tools to "fix" it. All my kids were encouraged to join me out in the shop, only being chased out when I was painting or welding (when they were little) by 5yo they all had their own ppe (ear and eye protection and a welding mask) The only issue this has caused was that they were very bored in shop class. Oh and they tend to get on my case for not putting the tools back where they belong right away.

 

[Guster]

Where to start... list the things I built in the last 5 years I guess.

Change table(storage for nappies and other things), basinet crib stand, mobile, teething ring(with the right kind of wood) rattles(if you had a lathe I guess), drag toys(once they start walking – made this nice one that looks like a snail on large eccentric mounted wooden wheels)

Once a little older I made my son a tepee, a clothes rack for all my daughters’ costumes. Nearly made some walking cycles and scooters when the in-laws supplied them. Made some wooden blocks with holes that the boy could assemble using large plastic nuts and bolts that came with a toolset someone gave him. Made them some fish out of scrap ply(that they helped paint) with steel screws in the mouth and rods with magnets on a line as a kind of fishing game. Just to name a few.

At a larger scale Dad and I built them a large playhouse outside. When my wife decided to keep some chickens in the yard I involved my son in the building of a chicken coup as well as a toy box organiser for his room. While he cannot do much at 3 y.o. he was too glad just to hold the cordless drill and pass me tools while wearing a spare set of safety glasses and hearing protection which ended up being a lot more fun than just seeing them enjoy something you built.

 

[I PLAY FOR KEEPS]

Congrats!!!

The essentials are always cooler (IMHO) if they're hand built and passed on. We have the following items that have been passed on (That you can build if you don't already have them): Changing table, highchair, bassinet/cradles, and a crib. We have built him a clothing rack (Out of metal, kinda industrial looking) and a bookshelf for all his kid books (Built it to look like old wooden crates stack on each-other). I also have a mobile in the works (Using metal rings and supports for the frame and old fishing lures-without the hooks) Like stated above my wife finds tons of stuff on pinterest and etsy that she has me build so definitely check those sites out.

I also think a hopped up powerwheels barbie jeep/car would be sick, but that's just my plan

 

[theoldwizard1]

Get yourself a jigsaw and a scroll saw. Both show up cheap on CL all the time. You can make lots of wooden toys with these. If you really get into it, consider an oscillating spindle sander.

One cool project is find large alphabet letter or just blow the up on the computer. Spell you child's name in letters about 4"-6" high. Stain or paint them. To be different, use dowels for axles and but some small wheels and small hook and eyes and make a "name train". Your wife will love you.

The child size table and chairs will become priceless family heirlooms ! Someone in my family has the set we had as kids and that was over 60 years ago.

Do some research on what is the best type of wood to use, especially if it is an infant toy that will be chewed. Also carefully check out what paints, stains and varnishes are safe for kids.

For more substantial things, consider using poplar. Usually clear, straight grain and few knots. Easier to work than other hardwoods.

Don't bite off more than you can chew unless you have back up (friends/ relatives experienced at wood working). Google is your friend. Lots of plans/ideas out there once you find the right place.

 

[Chukster]

Tell your wife and kids that you deserve the biggest daddy-hug there is!!

I've got two girls, now grown, but they know their way around basic tools. In fact, the younger is the one most likely to void warranties by tearing into something right after she gets it.



LOVE the report of your 3 y.o. crawling under the Barbie car!! That, sir , is priceless!!

When my girl was a baby, I built her all kinds of stuff

A circus train, the different animals cut out and painted bright colors and then mounted on wheels.

Matching cradles one for her and a smaller one for her baby dolls.

I high chair, hardware and plans can be found at rockler.com

Alphabet blocks.

Seeing as I also have 2 boys for all of them I built a block building set, log cabin logs.

Get yourself a scroll saw and make puzzles I used patterns made from coloring books, very easy project cut 2 pieces of 1/4 inch hard board, lay out and cut one into the pieces and the frame and then glue the frame to the 2nd piece, attach small knobs to the cut out pieces to make it easier for a small child to place them, paint them anyway you wish.

Don't forget a toy box, shelves for books and toys, a 3 dimensional mobile to hang above her crib.

On a side note I gave all my kids toy tools to play with, there was nothing better seeing my 3 year old daughter put her elec Barbie car up on ramps and crawl under with her tools to "fix" it. All my kids were encouraged to join me out in the shop, only being chased out when I was painting or welding (when they were little) by 5yo they all had their own ppe (ear and eye protection and a welding mask) The only issue this has caused was that they were very bored in shop class. Oh and they tend to get on my case for not putting the tools back where they belong right away.

 

[Chukster]

So my wife is 7 months pregnant and we have our first (a girl) due at the end of August. I am looking for some fun projects (for me) to build her stuff. I have access to a miter saw, table saw, and possibly a router if I still it from my dad. Obviously being an infant there will be time before she can use most things but can you give me examples or ideas on what to build. I remember when I was a kid my grandfather built a wooden train and my great grandfather built a replica of a ferry that we used to play with. Surprisingly it still exists in my grandfathers house.

Since were having a girl I really dont know what do do. My family is primarily boys...

Perhaps a table/chairs for when she is older for tea parties with her friends?

I am seriously out of my element. I just painted the nursery pink yesterday.


HELP ME!

You'll grow into it, dude. Don't worry, you'll grow into it.

Babies: Like simple shapes, bold contrasty colors, (and so much for babies, esp. towards girls, is pastel - WRONG!!), things that move. Once they start crawling, things they could put in their mouth (it's just the way infants learn). As ours got older we built a swingset/play structure.

Lots of other people are right with simple puzzles early, graduating as they get older; wheeled toys are good.

REAL kid's garden tools, not cheap breakable plastic. We still have a 20 year old kid's size steel shovel we keep for some jobs like transplanting.

Yeah, Pinterest is just as good a source as GJ!

Everything you do for you daughter doesn't have to be 'girly' - she might grow up to get a master's degree in Biology, focusing on genetics, or be an anthropologist.

 

[iBuckethed]

Just tonight I was wishing that I had made my daughter her very own step stool before now. I'm telling you, she will use this thousands of times. She will always run to get it for turning off lights, washing her hands, etc. I also have an 11 month old daughter that will get her very own as well. I hope that it will be something they can keep for their children.

-Cash

 

[iBuckethed]

I HAD a plan that allowed you to build a rocking horse out of 2 X 6 lumber I am sure you can find something online.

check your man card at the door and look for ideas on pinterest, my wife shows me interesting **** from that all the time.

Easy on pinterest, I get a lot of chicken coupe ideas, and lawn care/landscaping motivation. Plus I find really interesting sites that don't always pop up from a Google search. No shame in it!

-Cash

 

[Steelhorse27]

Here's 3 of my projects I built for the kiddos... I enjoyed them but they sure did take a lot longer to build than I had originally planned. The stroller is my favorite by far

 

[Steelhorse27]

Stroller

 

[Steelhorse27]

Loft bed

 

[OJ Bartley]

Congrats, Keith. We're due with our first in about 2 weeks, and I just finished his room. I wanted a project (for me) that would be something for the house and the baby, so I decided to try some wainscoting and crown molding. Both were harder than I thought they would be, but in the end turned out not bad. Here's a before and after. Still lots of final touches to do.

I like the stepstool idea, I think I might build one of those for him when he gets older. And furniture is always something that can be passed on and reused, like a few have mentioned. And as he gets older, I will definitely get him involved in my projects (as I would for a "her" too). I started out as my dad's flashlight holder, and worked my way up from there.

 

[OJ Bartley]

I also think a hopped up powerwheels barbie jeep/car would be sick, but that's just my plan

Oops, forgot to address this comment. Ever since I saw the attached car a few days ago, I've been trying to figure out how to convince my wife he will need it, and then how to soup it up so it can have a 'turbo' or 'overdrive' type boost function.

 

[HelisandHarleys]

Since were having a girl I really dont know what do do. My family is primarily boys...

Perhaps a table/chairs for when she is older for tea parties with her friends?

I am seriously out of my element. I just painted the nursery pink yesterday.


HELP ME!

As a girl myself, let me tell you this: Don't do anything differently just because she's a girl. Girls like trains and trucks and tools as well as tea parties and dresses and dolls. Girls are the only gender that can get away with that easily in this society. As she gets older she'll let you know her preferences and it will be easier. My best memories are helping my dad in the garage and it gave me practical skills I could actually use in my life and gave me an excellent foundation for my career choice.

And the guy that said you won't get **** done when she is born is mostly right. Don't plan on doing anything but taking care of your wife and baby for the first 6 months.

And congratulations, btw You are going to have fun.

 

[DirtRoad]

As a girl myself, let me tell you this: Don't do anything differently just because she's a girl. Girls like trains and trucks and tools as well as tea parties and dresses and dolls. Girls are the only gender that can get away with that easily in this society. As she gets older she'll let you know her preferences and it will be easier. My best memories are helping my dad in the garage and it gave me practical skills I could actually use in my life and gave me an excellent foundation for my career choice.

And the guy that said you won't get **** done when she is born is mostly right. Don't plan on doing anything but taking care of your wife and baby for the first 6 months.

And congratulations, btw You are going to have fun.

So true, i let my boy and girl play and do what they want.

My boy likes getting his nails done by mom and my daughter likes getting her hands dirty with dad. Try to be gender nuetral with everything, they will eventually tell you what they preffer and like until then they just want to experiance new things regardless what society says they should be doing.

 

[HelisandHarleys]

So true, i let my boy and girl play and do what they want.

My boy likes getting his nails done by mom and my daughter likes getting her hands dirty with dad. Try to be gender nuetral with everything, they will eventually tell you what they preffer and like until then they just want to experiance new things regardless what society says they should be doing.

 

[Cougar67]

Congratulations! The following site has tons of plans for simple Pottery Barn type furniture. You can spend hours looking through it.

http://ana-white.com/

For a baby, some bookshelves that display the cover of the book are nice, it creates interest. Like these:

http://ana-white.com/2010/04/plans-wall-book-racks-easy-and-inexpensive-organize-your-playroom-today.html

Prepare to baby proof right away because my kids were into things by the time they were six months old and you probably won't have the time or energy once the baby is born.

 

[HTGTS350]

A gallows? for once you have realised your life is over?

 

[srmofo]

Haha your not going to build **** once she is here

Welcome to parent hood

Yeah My Son Arrived In March. Between College, Work, Chores And Parental Duties I Haven't Worked In The Garage But 2 Days.