Part of the fun of having a child attend preschool (for me, anyway) is seeing all the fun activities and toys they have! I got the idea for making these DIY Wooden Snap Blocks after seeing something similar in my son’s new preschool classroom. I immediately went on the hunt for the necessary supplies and began my woodworking adventure (you can also buy them here–but they’re pricey)!
The awesome thing about these blocks is that they transform ordinary block-building into something extraordinary by allowing blocks to “defy gravity”. Not only that, but they are EXCELLENT for fine motor control–the blocks are not easy to secure (or take apart), therefore your child must use those small muscles in his hands to connect them.
I’ll be honest with you–finding the necessary supplies was a bit tricky. I reused some blocks that we already, purchased the grommets and sockets, and drilled into them. In total, I spent about $15 for this cool toy (not including the price of the blocks). This would also make a great gift idea!
Here’s what you’ll need: Wooden Blocks, an 6 3/4″x6 3/4″ unfinished wooden plaque (I got mine at JoAnn’s for under $2 after my 40% off coupon), Snap Button Screw-In Studs (I used 2 packages of 25–these are by far the cheapest that I found…they were 80 cents EACH at our hardware store), Matching 3/8″ sockets and screws (which I had to purchase at our local hardware store), a pencil, and a drill/powered screwdriver (which even I can use).
Here is an example of the hardware you’ll need.
1. Line up the screw-in studs…I chose to do 3 rows of 3.
2. Screw them in.
3. Screw in the sockets using the loose screws onto one end of the blocks. Please Note: If your blocks are made out of very hard wood, you might need to use a more powerful drill or even pre-drill the holes to keep the drill from stripping out your screws (speaking from experience). I also found that it worked best when using a vice to hold the blocks in place while I drilled them.
Add one screw-in stud on one end and one going length-wise. Then add 2 sockets on the alternating sides. In total: You should have 2 screw-in studs and 2 sockets on each block (except for those that are too small, in which you’ll only have two.
Big Brother was SUPER serious about his block building!
Proud of his “leaning tower”! :)
mamamiss says
September 6, 2012 at 11:19 amLove this Jenae!!! Awesome idea!!!
xx {love} m
ChristaToTheMax says
September 6, 2012 at 11:46 amVery neat! :D
Alex says
September 6, 2012 at 2:28 pmHow cool are you!? i love these
Melissa says
September 6, 2012 at 8:42 pmI love you for posting this! Thank you! Thank you!
Momma's Fun World says
September 6, 2012 at 9:57 pmWhat a GREAT idea. Love this! My son would love to make this. Thanks for sharing. (Momma’s Fun World)
[email protected] says
September 6, 2012 at 10:26 pmOh, I have some of those up in the attic from when I was a kid! I only have a few random pieces, but seeing those pictures makes me think of kids in bellbottoms and bowl haircuts. Too cute. :)
Beth says
September 7, 2012 at 8:17 amThis is SO clever and creative! What a great idea!!!
Beth =-)
amber says
September 7, 2012 at 12:51 pmOMG I want to make these. I wish I could wave my hand and do it instantly (lol) you know patient person that I am all. They look so fun!
Joyce @Childhood Beckons says
September 11, 2012 at 5:18 amI absolutely love this! This is fantastic and would make an awesome gift! I’m glad you had the wonderful and creative idea to make your own. So cool!
Karen Inlow says
October 3, 2012 at 5:44 pmI LOVE these! I remember playing with some when I was a kid! I hope one of my students has a dad that can put these together for me – now I just need to get the supplies!
Irina says
October 25, 2013 at 3:23 pmSuch a wonderful idea and such a great toy! Thank you for inspiring me!
Irina
Love these! says
January 10, 2014 at 10:35 amI would like to Pin these, but you don’t have a watermark or your name on the pics. I hate to have someone “steal” them and use them without crediting you. Don’t be afraid to go big or get onto the crafty item so “they” can’t cut your name out and still steal them. Really love these little doo-hickies!!
Jenae says
January 10, 2014 at 3:30 pmFeel free to pin! :) Thanks so much!
Linda says
February 23, 2014 at 11:07 amI am confused about the snaps. Do they come with both the “male” and “female” parts? It reads like it is just one type.
Erin says
September 16, 2014 at 12:59 pmHi. I had these when I was little and would love to make them for my son. Where did u find the small color blocks
Brenda says
November 27, 2014 at 11:17 amNow why haven’t I ever thought of this?! I also had these as a child (we’re talking 1955 or so!) and plan to make some for my grandson. Knowing that the most coveted pieces in our preschool set are the wheels , I wonder if anyone has a source for wooden disks that could be painted and are thick enough to screw a snap and grommet on opposite sides. If I found a dowel of a suitable diameter, how thick would I have to make the wheels to screw two screws into their centers? Thanks for posting this, Jenae!
Suzi says
October 9, 2015 at 10:23 pmHow do you attach the caps?
Nicki says
September 20, 2016 at 7:40 amHello thank you for sharing. what size screw in studs did you use?