BABY PLAY GYM

Provide entertainment for your baby with a handmade play gym. Coordinate the decorations with your nursery decor.

YOU’LL NEED: 4 lengths pine 4cm x 2cm x 50cm, saw, sandpaper, electric drill and bits (1 the same diameter as dowel, 1 smaller), 50cm length dowel (2cm diameter), wood glue, twine/rope, felt, thread, batting, wooden beads. 1 Cut pine into 4 lengths as above. Sand off the corners and edges.

2 At one end of a length of pine, measure, mark and drill a hole for the dowel. Repeat for other 3 lengths, making sure the holes all line up.

3 Thread 1 length of pine onto either end of dowel to create the inside legs of your gym – they should be loose enough to rotate a little.

4 Apply wood glue to drilled holes of remaining pine legs and push onto each end of dowel. These will be the outside legs. Hold in place until set.

5 Mark each leg quarter of the way down and drill a small hole that will fit your twine or rope. Set legs so dowel is at desired height off the floor. Thread twine or rope through legs and knot ends to secure.

6 Drill 3 equally spaced holes through the dowel – the holes should be big enough to thread the twine or rope through.

7 Cut out 2 identical felt shapes (eg stars). Sew together around edges, leaving a 2cm gap. Stuff with batting, insert the end of a piece of rope/ twine then sew closed. Repeat to make 3 stuffed shapes each on a rope. 8 Tie a knot in rope above felt shape then thread on some beads. Thread rope through dowel, thread on a bead and tie securely with a knot.