Handmade Wooden Toys and Playful DIY Projects
Trade your keyboard for a saw and build something real. From whittling small figures to crafting custom toys, I help you create things you can actually touch.
This is a prototype for a Jallikattu racing bull toy, carved from a block of scrap wood. It's a fun little project that combines carving with toy-making.
A close-up of a wooden airplane, a classic toy that is always a joy to make. This project is great for learning shaping and assembly techniques.
A student admiring the wooden airplane he just finished. There's a special kind of pride that comes from creating a toy with your own hands.
Another look at the handmade wooden airplane. The body is shaped from a solid block of wood, and the wings are carefully attached.
Ajesh with some of the experimental animal cutouts he made. He's building a catalog of home decor articles for his new business, and these wooden animals are a great start.
More of Ajesh's animal creations. Using a jigsaw, you can create almost any shape you can imagine, from farm animals to exotic creatures.
Ajesh showing off his growing collection of wooden animal cutouts. These are perfect for nursery decor or as part of a larger art piece.
Rajashekhar adding the final touches to the wishing well he built. The roof is carefully tiled with small, individual wooden shingles.
A little mouse I carved from a small piece of wood. I used a chisel for the main shaping and a V-groove tool for the details, then brought it to life with a bit of paint.
The beginning of a whittling project. This small piece of Salwood is slowly being transformed into a dog, one small cut at a time.
About Handmade Toys & Playful Creations
Whether you are whittling a small animal from a block of Salwood or using a jigsaw to cut out shapes, these sessions are about the physical joy of wood. I guide you through using hand tools and power equipment to turn a simple piece of timber into a functional object, ensuring you walk away with a toy you built yourself, not just a memory.
It is rarely just about the finished toy. It is about how you get there. In these workshops, I focus on building your confidence with tools that might seem intimidating at first. We start simple—using a chisel to shape a dog or a plane to smooth pine—and we move into experimental techniques like kerf-bending, where we cut slits into plywood to allow it to curve into unique forms like boat planters.
You might be surprised at how meditative the process becomes once you start. Using a Japanese pull saw or a V-groove carving tool changes how you look at a piece of wood. You are not just following a plan; you are learning why grain behaves the way it does and how to work with it rather than fighting against it.
Whether you are a parent looking for a collaborative weekend activity with your child, or an individual wanting to learn a new craft, I keep the atmosphere low-pressure. You do not need any prior experience, just a bit of curiosity. We provide all the safety gear, wood, and guidance. By the end of the day, you will leave with your own project in hand. For those who want to push further into complex joinery, we also explore detailed art forms like Kumiko, but in these sessions, the focus stays on accessible, playful construction that anyone can master.
Kydo
I run these workshops because I believe everyone has a maker inside them. You do not need a background in engineering to pick up a chisel and turn a block of scrap wood into something that actually brings a smile. I am here to help you get the sawdust on your hands and find your flow state.
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