Log in Sign up
PROFILE MENU

Society of Makers

Don't have an account? Sign up.

Society of Makers

Already have an account? Log in.

Select Guild Forgot Logo Society of Makers

Balsa Wood Models Are Ideal for Kids

28 views  •  16 Feb 2023
Kids Craft Ideas
13 subscribers

Woodworking Is Really Fun With Balsa Wood

Balsa wood is a special wood. It is really light, so it floats very easily. And it is very soft, so you can cut it very easily. However, even though it is very light, it is still quite strong.

This makes it an ideal material for making fun little models, like boats and even model aeroplanes.

Thin pieces of balsa wood can be cut with a model knife of even scissors. Thicker pieces can be easily cut with a junior hacksaw.

Always ask an adult for help when cutting balsa wood.


Things We Need To Make A Balsa Wood Model

  • Balsa wood in different sizes and shapes, modelling shops usually sell balsa wood in packs of different shapes
  • Glue
  • Paint
  • Paintbrushes
  • Sharp craft knife, to be used only by an adult
  • Fabric for the sales
  • Scissors to cut the fabric
Balsa Wood Models Are Ideal for Kids

Glue The Balsa Wood Base

Cut seven lengths of balsa wood measuring 1cm x 1cm x 10cm. These pieces will make up the base of our raft boat.

Lay out two of these pieces for the ends and base. Then glue along the top of these base pieces. And carefully add the other pieces on top. 

You can lay them all out first to get the distances right and to make sure you know what you are trying to achieve. Glue all the pieces together in the right positions.

Now we need a mast. We need two small blocks of wood at the bottom of the mast. These pieces of wood support the mast and stop it falling over. Cut two little blocks, 1cm x 1cm. Then cut two more pieces 10cm x 0.5cm.
Balsa Wood Models Are Ideal for Kids

Paint Our Balsa Wood Base

Now we can paint the parts of the boat we have already made. Paint it any colour you like. Also paint the little mast blocks and the long mast supports.

Leave everything you have painted to dry thoroughly.
Balsa Wood Models Are Ideal for Kids

Making A Sail For A Balsa Wood Boat

Now we can cut the fabric to make a sail. Cut out a triangle of fabric. You can use any fabric you like. Make the fabric triangle about 8cms wide and 8cms tall.

We can use pinking shears to cut the fabric. Pinking shears cut in a zig zag line. This stops the fabric from fraying.

To fix the fabric to the sail. Lay the fabric triangle on your table, with the point up. Now apply a line of glue down the centre of the sail. Press one of the long mast pieces into the glue and press firmly.

Now turn it all over and do the same again. Lay down some glue on the other side of the fabric. And then press the other mast piece into the glue. The two masts must be lined up on either side of the fabric.

We will have a sail sandwich between the two wooden mast pieces.

Let the glue dry.
Balsa Wood Models Are Ideal for Kids

Attach The Balsa Wood Mast To The Boat

Now we can glue the little blocks of wood to the boat, on either side of the mast sticking up. You can try and line everything up first before gluing, just to get an idea of what you need to do.

Now you have an idea of what you need to do. Glue the blocks of wood on either side of the bottom of the mast. Hold until the glue takes hold.

Then glue the mast onto the centre of the boat. Hold for a little while and wait for the glue to start sticking.

Leave all the glue to dry again. If you have spilled a bit of glue, you can always use the paint again and paint over them.
Balsa Wood Models Are Ideal for Kids

Now We Can Play With Our Boat

Congratulations, you have made a model boat. Look how brilliant your model boat is. Balsa wood is used by even the most expert of model makers. And all of them started with a fun little model like this.

So start thinking about what your next project could be and start a studio on Society of Makers and share your pictures.

What other things can we make?
Balsa Wood Models Are Ideal for Kids
Maybe make a fun little doll's table and chair set for dinner. Look at pictures online and just think about what pieces you need to cut to make up the shapes. All furniture is just made up of different shapes of blocks of wood.
Balsa Wood Models Are Ideal for Kids
And don't forget to make a cute little bed for when you need a nap after a big dinner. Again look at the blocks in the model. Figure out what blocks you need to cut.

Then get an adult to cut them and you can then glue them together and paint your model.
0 Comments
CANCEL
CLEAR
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260311141S11000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Make a Relaxing Hanging Mobile for Fun
Kids Craft Ideas
12 views • 24 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260310591S71000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Wooden Spoon Puppets Will Make You Laugh
Kids Craft Ideas
13 views • 23 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260310041S51000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Modelling Clay Magnets for Clever Kids
Kids Craft Ideas
16 views • 22 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260339561S81000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Make a Clever Pebble Owl Family
Kids Craft Club
18 views • 24 Jul 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260337291S51000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Make an Egg Carton Ant Model
Kids Craft Club
32 views • 6 Jul 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260320211S21000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Make a Cheap Display Case For Children
Things Kids Can Make
33 views • 20 Mar 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260313211S71000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Fun Fathers Day Gift
Kids Craft Ideas
21 views • 3 Mar 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260337441S0-standard-(1).jpg thumbnail
Pebble Pets Are Easy to Make
Kids Craft Club
15 views • 8 Jul 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260309501S91000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Make Your Own Snow Globe Shaker
Kids Craft Ideas
23 views • 20 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260323321S71000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Make a Funny Sock Snowman From a Sock
Things Kids Can Make
36 views • 22 Apr 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260338271S21000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Why Not Make a Toy Town
Kids Craft Club
22 views • 14 Jul 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260311261S21000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Make Funny Peg Doll Angels
Kids Craft Ideas
20 views • 25 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/261244401S1000a-standard.jpg thumbnail
Easy Way to Make Dolls House Furniture
Kids Craft Club
22 views • 16 Jul 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260321171S21000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Time to Build a Rocket Ship
Things Kids Can Make
42 views • 30 Mar 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260336591S21000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Make Driftwood Characters for Fun
Kids Craft Club
16 views • 4 Jul 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260100341S31001-standard.jpg thumbnail
Transform Felt into a Stunning Felt Heart Candle Holder That Will...
Ms Felt
24 views • 16 Sep 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250848411S41000-standard.jpg thumbnail
How To Make Paper Cut Bookmarks
Elizabeth Richards
36 views • 2 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260101341S11002-standard.jpg thumbnail
Craft a Stunning Felt Frosted Wreath for Christmas
Ms Felt
34 views • 26 Sep 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260311571S81000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Make a Fun Angel Christmas Tree Toppers
Kids Craft Ideas
12 views • 27 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260125221S11000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Make A Simple Regenerating Skin Serum
Natural Skin Care
25 views • 9 Sep 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260128141S01000-standard.jpg thumbnail
How To Make Chocolate Orange Lip Balm
Natural Skin Care
36 views • 10 Dec 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260311411S51000-standard.jpg thumbnail
I Love Making Paper Snowflakes
Kids Craft Ideas
31 views • 26 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260336311S21000-standard.jpg thumbnail
How to Make a Paper Pirate Hat
Kids Craft Club
18 views • 30 Jun 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250857331S91000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Make Star Sign Gift Wrap
Katie Isaacs
24 views • 1 Jan 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/261251331S91000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Can You Make Easy Origami Stars
Kids Christmas Projects
28 views • 6 Sep 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250903571S61000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Fun Christmas Gift Wrap And Tags Tutorial
Katie Isaacs
24 views • 25 Jun 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250843301S110521391000.jpg thumbnail
Paper Snowflake Christmas Decorations
Elizabeth Richards
22 views • 12 Dec 2022
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250839031S81000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Fun Shoe Display Boxes
Alison Jones
21 views • 29 Jan 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260345511S11000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Decorate With a Star Shapes Garland
Kids Craft Club
27 views • 3 Sep 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260309181S71000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Why You Need a Papier Mache Dinosaur
Kids Craft Ideas
22 views • 15 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260341211S11000-standard.jpg thumbnail
A Fun Decoupaged Picture Frame
Kids Craft Club
27 views • 5 Aug 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250836491S51000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Making Decorative Leaf Wall Panels
Alison Jones
15 views • 11 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260339281S51000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Make a Simple Teddy Bear
Kids Craft Club
35 views • 20 Jul 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250822211S81000b-feature.jpg thumbnail
Simple Star Shaped Decorative Papier Mache Drawer Knobs
Alison Jones
34 views • 3 Dec 2022
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260308191S21000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Paper Chains, More and More Paper Chains
Kids Craft Ideas
18 views • 11 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250824111S070235091000.jpg thumbnail
Beautiful Celestial Day And Night Hanging Mobile
Alison Jones
19 views • 8 Dec 2022
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/261249431S11000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Creating a Heat Embossed Christmas Card Is Fun
Kids Christmas Projects
24 views • 19 Aug 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/261249551S21000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Make Paper Feather Gift Tags for Gifts
Kids Christmas Projects
27 views • 23 Aug 2023