Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
Ready to rock!
Build a toy rocker your toddler will love. Make sure they hang on tight – this snail’s built for speed!
Build your toddler a ride-on snail rocker from plywood and pine
They say slow and steady winssethaet race, but no-one told this gorgeous gastropod – unlike any of the snails you’ll find in your garden, it’s made to move! The beauty of this project lies in its simplicity. There are no complicated woodworking joins to master so anyone can give it a go. The contemporary styling will look great in any kid’s bedroom and your toddler will be champing at the bit to hop on the shell and get it rocking.
Bet you never thought your kid’s favourite animal would be a snail!
Here’s how
STEP 1 On 30mm plywood, draw a 50mm grid 800 x 400mm in size. Referring to rocker grid diagram (on page 135), mark where the rocker crosses the grid lines then join these points to make the shape. Cut out shape using a jigsaw. Use this as a template to mark and cut another 3 rockers. Sand cut edges to even out cutting marks. STEP 2 To join a pair of rockers, spread PVA glue along the sides where they will meet and bring them together. Nail using 50mm nails, then punch nail heads below surface with a nail punch. Repeat to join other pair of rockers. STEP 3 Spread glue along bottom of 1 rocker pair. Starting at the back, lay one body piece on top flush with end and side of rocker. Clamp to hold ,then nail together using wallboard nails. Space nails about 50mm apart. Move clamps along rocker to hold the body in place as you nail. STEP 4 Spread glue along second rocker, clamp and nail to other side of body. STEP 5 To continue nailing body to rockers towards the front, sit them on the bench with the back half hanging off the side. STEP 6 Spread glue all over body, then repeat Steps 5 and 6 to nail second layer of the body to the rockers. Punch the nails slightly below the surface.
STEP 7 On inside front of body, place antennae blocks so they are splayed, with the top corners 50mm on either side of the centre line of the body. Mark their position, remove then drill pilot holes through the body, 2 per antenna block.
STEP 8 Turn over, then countersink pilot holes on the face of body so screw heads will sit slightly below the surface. Glue and screw antenna blocks to body.
STEP 9 On front of body, draw shape of antennae and curve of body at the top of the rockers. Cut out shape using a jigsaw.
STEP 10 To draw shape of seat side, first drive nail into piece of scrap timber 150mm from 1 end. Nail to offcut of 30mm ply, then hold pencil at 1 end and swivel it to draw semicircle.
STEP 11 From ends of semicircle, draw straight lines 100mm long, then join these across the bottom. Slightly curve the bottom to match the curve at the bottom of the rocker. Cut out using a jigsaw, then use
as a template to mark and cut a second seat side.
STEP 12 Glue and nail both layers of seat lining to seat sides. On second layer, punch nail heads slightly below surface.
STEP 13 Along side edges of body, outside top edge of rockers and around curve of seat, use the router to curve these edges and expose the lines of the plywood.
STEP 14 Fill all nail and screw holes with wood putty and let dry. Sand snail body and seat to smooth putty and remove cutting marks. Around top of body and antennae, hand-sand to round edges for little hands.
STEP 15 Undercoat then apply 2 coats of water-based enamel to seat, leaving the sides and rounded edges exposed. Leave to dry and sand lightly after each coat.
STEP 16 Spread glue on bottom edges of seat sides and press against body 195mm from the back edge. Leave to dry.
STEP 17 Apply 2-3 coats of water-based varnish to entire rocker and seat for a hard-wearing finish. Allow to dry and sand lightly between coats.
STEP 18 Stick small pieces of double-sided tape to back of joggle eyes and stick to tops of antennae. (Caution: joggle eyes are a choking hazard for toddlers.)