Make A Height Chart Using Only 1 Board!

16 Materials
$20
3 Hours
Easy

​Wondering how to make a kids height chart? It really couldn't be easier! Here's how I made a height chart using only one plank of wood!

​This project requires 1 cut to be made. Seriously! I measured 6ft from the bottom of the board and marked a square line. Then using a handsaw I cut the board to length. You can of course make the board as long as you want but 6ft is a good average to work with.


With the board cut to length the next step is to mark the measurement along the right hand side. I only show quarter foot marks which are ever 3 inches. Using a tape measure I marked 3 inch steps all the way up the board. I started the measurements at 6 inches. This is so the board can be hung 6 inches off the floor and the measurements will be right.


I used a 10mm straight bit set to 4mm deep to carve the full 1 foot marks. To keep the router straight I used my square as a guide. I could then ride the straight edge of my routers base plate against it.

For the 1/2 foot and 1/4 foot marks I used a 6mm straight bit set to 4mm deep. You can also use a scrap piece of wood clamped to the board as a straight edge guide if you don't feel comfortable using the square.

​Once those lines are carved all the way up the board then its time to carve the numbers. I made some number templates using my laser engraver but these shapes can be bought online and from craft stores. I traced round them to give me a guide line so I could free hand carve them.

Using the same 6mm bit as earlier set to 4mm deep I carved away the majority of the material inside of the lines. I could then clean up the edges with a chisel.

I used black acrylic paint for the craved lines and then used a variety of bright acrylic colours for the numbers.

Don't worry about staying inside the carved lines. We will clean them up later with the sander.

When the paint was dry I gave the painted areas a couple coats of spray lacquer. This will just protect the paint. The sander will remove any excess paint from the surface but leaves the paint untouched inside the carving.

Last bit of shaping to do is to ease the edges. I opted for a chamfer bit in my palm router. I trimmed all the edges on both sides.

​I thought the board was looking a bit pale so stain was the option I went with. I used a water based teak stain. It made the colours look a lot richer I think. When the stain was dry I applied some wood butter (wax). This gets buffed after it has been left to soak into the wood for a while.

To hang the height chart on the wall I thought keyhole hangers would be the best bet. It only needs one for the use case so I set the hanger in the centre of the board on the back at the 6ft mark. This means the screw can be placed in the wall at 6ft and all the measurements will be right. I needed the hanger to be flush on the back so I used the palm router to carve away a small pocket for it to fit in.

2 screws hold the hanger in place. Really simple.

I wanted a way for people to add photos to the side of the board if they wanted to. I think it would be great to show photos of your child as they grow up. Being able to look back at their height mark, their age, the year and a photo of them at that time. To add the photos I thought magnets would be a good option so I used the off cut from the board to make some 1 inch squares. These got painted with the same acrylic colours that I used for the numbers. Then I attached an adhesive fridge magnet to the back on the square. I lined up the mating magnets to it, making sure the orientation was correct for the strongest hold. Then I stuck it to the board by the side of the number.

Photo's are held really well under the magnets. It enables a lot of possibilities for displays. Of course you don't need to add these magnets but I think they make a nice addition.

This is a great gift idea! Nice and simple to make so give it a go!

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  2 questions
  • Renee Renee on Jan 04, 2020

    What were the magnets for? Its and awesome project and very easy.

  • Gail Gail on Nov 04, 2020

    I love the idea, but Where are the marks for the heights and their names and dates. Mine has been in my pantry door casing for 35 years. I plan to take it with me when I move and I don't care what the new buyers might say! I'm on to 5 grand daughters now. They love looking at where daddy was.

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  • Debbie Debbie on Mar 03, 2020

    This is just the cutest little thing ever. We are one that did the wall like ever one else.

    • Average Joe's Joinery Average Joe's Joinery on Mar 03, 2020

      Haha Thank you! The wall works, nice to have the option to keep the memories with you should you ever move though :)

  • Silviastar Silviastar on Jul 08, 2022

    I made two for my son and daughter when they reached the age of 2 years. It took me around 20-30 minutes to make one of the height charts. My wife insisted on buying one instead of doing two by myself. I never saw the reason why I should buy this tool because it's very easy to make by yourself. My children started to measure their heights every week until they reached the age of four or five years. At that time, they realized that it was a waste of time to keep measuring their height soo often. I'm really happy that they don't want to grow so fast anymore.


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