I’ve been on a mission this year to give my boys more gifts that spark imagination instead of clutter — and if you’re a parent, you know the toys that actually last are the ones the kids can climb on, jump off, flip over, and somehow turn into six different things by dinner.
So for Christmas, instead of my usual holiday craft projects like my Advent Calendar or DIY Christmas bells, I decided to build them each a wooden rocker balance toy — part seesaw, part balance board, part indoor energy-burner for rainy days. And honestly? It was WAY easier to make than I expected plus it can be accomplished with scrap wood!
If you’ve been wanting a kid-friendly woodworking project that’s affordable, simple, and impressive (like… “did you actually make that?” levels of impressive), this is one you can 100% pull off in just one afternoon.
Why A Rocker Toy?
My boys are at that age where every couch cushion becomes a launchpad, every blanket is a parachute, and every hallway is a racetrack. A rocker board gives them:
A safe place to practice balance
Something to burn energy indoors
Open-ended play (bridge, tunnel, slide, racetrack… kids get creative!)
A durable piece that grows with them
And since I’m giving it to them for Christmas, I love that it’s one of those gifts that feels magical and handmade — not just another plastic thing that will disappear into the toy bin. Hopefully it will be kept in the family and passed down to their own kids one day!
Materials Needed:
- 1- 2×4
- 1- 2×3
- 1- 3/4″ project panel or scrap piece of plywood
- wood glue
- 2.5″ screws
- orbital sander
- drill/driver
- miter saw or skill saw
- jig saw
- clamps
- stain/paint depending on preference and frogtape for optional designs
- Felt or anti-skid strip (optional for the bottom)
Assembly Instructions:
Step 1: Cut List
You will need to cut two 10″ pieces from the 2×4 and a 13″ piece from the 2×3. These will be the legs and rockers. Next cut a 12″x19″ piece of plywood that will be the top where you will stand on the toy. These four pieces areall you need!
Step 2: Create the Rockers
Take the 2×4 pieces and mark the middle at 5″ and from their freehand a curve from the outer corner to the middle point, going both ways. You can always use a bowl or something round to trace but I found eyeballing worked out just fine once sanded. Use a jigsaw to cut the curves on both pieces and these are your “rockers”. Sand all the pieces before the next step, rounding edges as well.
Step 3: Assemble the Base
Align the 2×3 ith the middle of the rockers and predrill holes from the outside of your rocker to the ends of the 2×3. Add wood glue and 2.5″ screws to attache the rockers to either side of the 2×3. Make sure the 2×3 is level with the flat part of the rocker.
Step 4: Attach the Top
Evenly space the base to the plywood piece. It was approximately 1.5″ from the outer edge to the sides of the rockers and 5.25″ from the middle 2×3 to the other outer edge. Secure with wood glue and 2.5″ screws from the top board down into the base. Be sure to predrill the holes so they don’t split and countersink slightly so they can be wood filled. I added two 2.5″ screws in the 2×3 and 2 screws to each 2×4 all from the top board.
Step 5: Finish Work
Fill the holes with wood putty, sand them down and then either sand, seal or paint. I used a couple sizes of frogtape I had to create stipes and first used Minwax White Wash on everything followed by Minwax Special Walnut throughout. Lastly I used Minwax Dark Walnut for the small stripe. Once I peeled the tape back the natural wood was underneath and I sealed everything wioth a polyurethane top coat.
How Much it Cost?
Honestly with the amount of scrap wood I have laying around I could pump these out like a factory! BUT if you d need to buy lumber this project would be about $25 with wood to spare to make another. For a toy this big and durable? That’s a major win.
All in all I call this a win! If you end up building one too, tag me @nailgun_nelly — I’d love to see how yours turns out!
