Create Your Haven: How to DIY Coloured Wooden Blocks

Creating your own coloured wooden blocks can be easy, affordable and incredibly satisfying! Perfect for educational play or given asa thoughtful gift, we break down step-by-step how to make your own set of eco-friendly, coloured blocks.

YOU WILL NEED:

Untreated pine (we used 32x90mm, 32x40mm and 32mm dowel)

Sandpaper (we used 150 grit)

Saw

Beetroot

Red cabbage

Turmeric

Baking soda

Lime

Coconut oil or beeswax

Clean rag

STEP ONE:

Cut shapes from pine and sand all sides so they are smooth to touch.

We cut the dowel into the following lengths: 130mm, 90mm and 40mm

We cut the 32x40mm into: 130mm, 90mm, 40mm and 20mm lengths; and 40x40x60mm triangles

We cut the 32x90mm into: 20mm lengths; 90x90x130mm triangles; 40x90 w/ a 55mm circle cut using a hole saw.

STEP TWO:

Cut the cabbage and dice the beetroot.

 

STEP THREE:

Place cabbage, beetroot and turmeric into separate pots of water:

·     1 beetroot - use 2 cups of water

·     1/2 red cabbage - use 6 cups of water

·     1tsp turmeric - use 2 cups of water

STEP FOUR:

Place on stove and bring to boil.

Turn down low to simmer.

Keep on heat until the water is your desired colour (you can test with a paper towel).

 

Tip: The less water you use, the more concentrated your dye will be. You can adjust this as you go by adding more water or boiling it down further.

 

STEP FIVE:

Pour dye into vessels through a sieve to drain out vegetables and you should be left with three colours:

 

Purple (red cabbage)

Red (beetroot)

Yellow (turmeric)

STEP SIX:

To create other colours…

 

Bright pink: Mix juice of 1 lime + 1 cup of red cabbage dye

Teal: Mix 1tsp of baking soda + 1 cup of red cabbage dye

 

STEP SEVEN:

Place dye into separate vessels large enough to fit your cut shapes. Let the shapes sit in the dye for at least 2 hours.

 

The longer you leave the shapes, the more dense your colour will be.

 

When you are happy with your colour, remove the shapes and allow them to dry.

 

STEP EIGHT:

Once dry, melt the coconut oil or beeswax and apply to the shapes using a clean rag.

 

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