Sparkle Craft: DIY Wooden Buildings
In the Martin & Sylvia: Saturdays! story, “Our Own Town,” Sylvia is a little distressed at the thought that their downtown might be changing. Daddy helps her to understand the process the planning committee is going through by having Martin and Sylvia build a little town of their own, imagining things differently than they are right now.
Perhaps you’d like to build a town, as well. Why not start with some handmade wooden buildings?
You Will Need
- Wood (2×4)
- Saw
- Sandpaper
- Acrylic Paint
Paintbrush
What To Do
Using the diagram below, and your saw, cut your 2×4 into house shapes along the dotted lines. Make your houses as tall or short as you’d like, or make them in a variety of sizes! Make as many as your 2×4 will allow.
Once you’ve cut the houses, use your sandpaper (or an electric sander) to smooth the rough edges, especially along the cut sides.
Wipe each house down with a dry cloth, to get all the dust off.
Paint each house with acrylic paint.
Let the main coat dry overnight.
Leave the buildings a solid color or use a contrasting color to add detail.
Let the paint dry.
Take your buildings and make your own town!
Explore More & Make Connections
What else might you add to your town? Can you find it around your house or do you have to make it?
About the Authors
Andrea Folsom
Andrea Folsom describes herself as a writer, editor, creative maker, and eternal optimist. She is passionate about learning and sharing new creative techniques, making beautiful spaces, and talking about the social-emotional benefits of creativity and art. She runs Crafting Connections - a website providing inspiration, practical advice, and projects for creative families - with her close friend Danielle Reiner.
Danielle Reiner
Danielle Reiner describes herself as a creative, a maker, and a mama. At the heart of her story is creativity, though that hasn’t always been the case. She rediscovered her deeply hidden creativity early in adulthood – with a ball of yarn and a couple of knitting needles – and hasn't stopped since. Danielle also runs Crafting Connections - a website providing inspiration, practical advice, and projects for creative families - with her close friend Andrea Folsom.
