I have always enjoyed making wooden toys, from rattles to hobby horses to log cabin building sets. So, when I saw a homemade version of this stacking toy at an antique store, I knew I wanted to build one. This is an educational toy in more than one sense; it certainly will teach toddlers problem solving and fine motor skills, but it can also teach you a few tricks as you build it. It features templates, pattern drilling, dowel making, and food coloring as stain and kid-safe oil finishing. It's a lot to pack into a small project, so let’s get started.
Forming the Dowels
While you can buy pre-made dowels, making your own allows for many size and species options that may not be available commercially. I chose beech for our burger because it is strong and will take color well. All you need is some squared up stock, a router table, and a selection of round over
