How can I upcycle these wooden shapes?

Debbie
by Debbie

My granddaughter is into painting objects and making craft items. I have about a two gallon bag of assorted wooden shapes similar to the ones pictured and need some ideas for a project that will use a good portion of them up. Not many flat objects, most cylinder and spindle shaped. Thanks.

  14 answers
  • Nan W. Nan W. on Feb 06, 2020

    Debbie: give them to her (maybe 10-12 at a time) with a bottle of Elmer's glue and a roll of tape... let HER create a fabulous "sculpture" and then paint to her heart's content. (We'd LOVE to see her creations!)


    You could also string them together and paint red, green and white for your 2020 Christmas tree.

  • you could paint them and string them together into a long garland and hang it on a mantle

  • She could make necklaces out of them.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Feb 06, 2020

    I envision wreaths. Paint with a theme in mind like Valentine's Day, Spring, Memorial Day. Then attach to a metal wreath form. I get them at the Dollar Tree. Attach with chenille ties. Then fill in with greenery, flowers, or other fillers.

  • Deb K Deb K on Feb 06, 2020

    Hi Debbie, hope this helps you, and let the grand daughter do some paint and sparkles!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5JSmwNhOd8

    • See 1 previous
    • Deb K Deb K on Feb 07, 2020

      That's sweet!!

  • Dwp7470b Dwp7470b on Feb 06, 2020

    Wow. That's quite a Potpourri you got going there.

    Some of those pieces look too small for a very young child to use.

    Wendy is far better with Art than I am.

    I'm more the practical type. I just would not buy something that did not come with Assembly Instructions.

    Something like this just blows my mind đŸ¤¯.

    I ask: Why Sell something that did not come with Assembly Instructions?

    People say: For the Adventure and Fun!

    To me it looks more like On The Job Training than Adventuresome and Fun.

    Especially considering that many of the holes are just too small for any of the other pieces to interlock, you may need to help a bit maybe with a Handheld Drill, Chisel and a Coping Saw.

    Usually for more coherent assembly you can just buy a kit. There are lots of them out there: Boats, Cars, Helicopters, Planes and such the like.

    This is definitely going to serve as a challenge.

    No Question about it: This will Develop a great Imagination.

    I wouldn't even know where to begin.

    Maybe paint the Bunny or the Heart for the Holidays...or use them as Stencils to Draw Cut- Outs.

  • Morgan McBride Morgan McBride on Feb 06, 2020

    Paint them, hang from string to create a mobile or wall hanging!

  • Dee Dee on Feb 06, 2020

    macrame some flower pot holders and incorporate them into the design. Or make a hanging art with ropes. and beads.

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Feb 06, 2020

    How about paint them and put eather numbers on them or words and have her make sentences or words with letters .the tiny needs make necklaces and paint them .

  • Beth Beth on Feb 07, 2020

    I'd try decoupaging them with magazines, junk mail, or anything you have around the house. Then you could string them onto necklaces or make a beaded curtain. Whatever you do will look great! Let us know how it goes.

  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on Feb 07, 2020

    Natural wood bead garlands are very trendy right now. You could string them for decor.

  • Debbie Debbie on Feb 07, 2020

    Thanks to all for the suggestions. We’re going to make a fairy garden too over spring break and I am hoping that we can incorporate some into the garden.


    i like the wooden garland suggestion because her bedroom has a decent size window in it with white plantation shutters. The garland would provide some color and interest when the shutters are open wide.


    she can paint them, decoupage some, etc. we try to stay away from glitter because last summer, our old dog looked like he belonged to Liberace. He had so much glitter in his thick coat that he glistened the entire summer despite getting baths! Almost blinding....lol.

    • J. Jacobs J. Jacobs on Feb 10, 2020

      Ha ha! Your poor dog.

      I loathe glitter. You keep finding bits of it for years.

  • Columbia GB Columbia GB on Feb 08, 2020

    I see people, similar to peg dolls. Click on the link below.


    Google Images of lots of different types of pegs dolls

  • 17335038 17335038 on Feb 11, 2020

    How suitable project suggestions may or may not be depend on the child's age. How old is your granddaughter?