Shop :: Wooden Sorting Bowls and Acorns

NOTE: Kits for this project will be available in our shop Monday, 4-23-12 :)
 
Preschoolers will love sorting and matching colors with our Wooden Sorting Bowls and Acorns. These pretty little acorns will help young children in color recognition, counting and sorting abilities. It also encourages agility and dexterity in wee hands. And, because they are beautiful, they add to the warmth and charm to any room!  
 
To make your own you will need:
 
Wooden Sorting Bowls and Acorn Kit from Wee Folk Art's Market Place [Available April 23]
 
Note: Kit includes 6 wooden bowls and 18 wooden acorns. To finish the project you will need fine sandpaper, wood stain (optional), paint and beeswax wood finish.
  
 
~OR~
 
6 wooden bowls 
18 wood acorns
sandpaper, fine
wood stain (optional)
wood paint
beeswax finish
 
Note: All materials used should be non toxic and child safe.
 
MATERIALS AVAILABLE IN WEE FOLK ART'S MARKET PLACE: [available April 23]
Wooden Sorting Bowls and Acorns Kit
Wood Finishing Kit (Non toxic soy wood stain (optional) in Fruitwood or Walnut, Beeswax Finish, and Fine Grade Sandpaper - Each item is also sold separately)
Non toxic soy paint
 
IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING: The acorns are small and considered a choke hazard. Although generally it is recommended that small parts should not be given to children under 3 years of age, we highly recommended you do not give small parts to any child that still puts toys in their mouth, no matter how old they are!
 
Using fine grit sandpaper, sand wood pieces smooth. Wipe off to remove any saw dust.
 
  
Using a non toxic, child safe wood stain, stain just the OUTSIDE of the bowls and the caps of the acorns. I found it easiest to use a hard bristle paint brush to apply the stain to the acorn caps. Note: If you prefer, you can choose NOT to stain the wood. The bowls and acorns in this tutorial have not been stained.

 
Choose 6 different colors of paint. Paint the inside of each bowl and the rim a different color. Paint your acorn bottoms to match the inside of the bowls. You will paint groups of three acorns the same color.
 

  
When the paint and stain are thoroughly dry, seal the bowls and acorns with a Beeswax Finish.
 

Notice the 2 acorns below. They have not been stained. The one on the right was sealed with our Beeswax Finish. It naturally gives the wood a wonderful patina.

Now your bowls and acorns are ready to be played with. Remember to reapply the Beeswax Finish periodically to the wood to maintain a beautiful luster and to prolong the life of the wood.

  
OTHER IDEAS FOR USING THE WOODEN CUPS AND EGGS
 
Of course, children will come up with their own ways to use the bowls and acorns :) The bowls and acorns will undoubtedly be moved to play kitchens, the acorns can be used for counting and sorting, and, you can flip the bowls over, and hide acorns under them for a super fun guessing game :)