The third edition of BUILDER BOARDS – Now available on Amazon
The neighborhood kids playing with a set of Builder Boards:
BUILDER BOARDS, the Complete Plans (third edition) contains all the details a woodworker needs to construct the full set of parts for this remarkable imagination set. Wide-eyed children put BUILDER BOARDS to work, using them to erect structures actually large enough to play in.
Builder Boards was first published in 1997. The 2024 3nd edition, contains information gleaned from 30 years of building experience combined with stories about using Builder Boards with the children themselves. It includes new gable-end and roof-board designs and covers the use of recycled and leftover materials to construct the notched boards. There are easy-to-use layout plans, tips on how to use a shaper and a discussion of a CNC to cut notches. Included are new sanding and finishing recommendations.
Builder Boards at the Farmer’s Market:
Color pictures give you a sense of joy children feel while turning their ideas into a structure that stands on its own. A new chapter on taking the “World’s Largest Set” out to community events is a tour-de-force eye opener.
The first edition of Builder Boards was published in 1997. The changes below are in this 2024 3rd edition available on Amazon:
- New roof design eliminating the hook and loop fastener.
- New gable end design.
- Use of a shaper to cut notches, instead of a router.
- Discussion of CNC to cut notches.
- New color pictures.
- Sanding shortcuts.
- New drawings and easier plywood layout.
- Slightly different board lengths, but same notch spacing.
- Boxes and bungee cords replaced with trays (mostly).
- New low VOC varnish recommendations.
- Split pieces eliminated because they are too easy to break.
- Elimination of the Cedar Playhouse chapter.
- New chapter about taking the world’s largest set out to community events.
Reviews
- If you have kids or know kids get this book, build these boards, and strike fire into their imaginations. The design is so basic, yet unique, you’ll say, “why didn’t I think of that?”
Daniel Carter, This Old Workshop - A real prize for young builders. Its a terrific idea!
Home Education Magazine - The Children’s Museum of the Shoals loves Builder Boards!
Leslie Martin, Director - Builder Boards are perfect any place young children are encouraged to learn through play and hand on experience.
Mindport Exhibits - We have several sets of Builder Boards at the Explore & More Children’s Museum and we LOVE them!!!
Barbara Park Leggett, Director - Builder Boards are the first thing the children go to when they enter the playroom.
They have hours of fun making the most creative “houses”.
Maureen Baker, Women care shelter - Builder Boards have been a wonderful classroom experience.
Margie Sawyer, teacher
Builder Board Posts
A Two Year Old Plays with Builder Boards
When my grandson Lucas, was two years old he wanted to go out to my shop. It seemed to me like there wasn't much for him to do out there but I took him anyway. The last time I'd been in the shop I had been working on a set of Builder Boards so there was a stack of...
Builder Boards as an Eagle Scout Project
Boards ready for notching. The pattern for 10 notch, 6 notch, and 4 notch boards are on top of the proper length boards.
Builder Boards, a short history
…. children taught me Builder Boards could be more than a playhouse. The idea of building a playhouse gave way to the idea of building from a child’s imagination.
Builder Board Update: New Roof System
The new way to hold the roof boards on requires no hook and loop fastener….and keeps the kids from knocking them off from the inside of the house.
Builder Boards……24 Years Later
Recently a teacher friend completed a set with her class of sixth graders and told me an amusing story about teaching practical math. She divided the class into groups, gave each group a board and the plans, and told them to draw the position of the notches on the board. Of course, each group had the notches in a different position so….. they had to figure out which plan was right.
Builder Boards Update 2: Cutting the Notches
Eventually, someone suggested a shaper and that worked best of all.
Pictures of the “World’s Largest Set” of Builder Boards at the Park.
Builder Boards goes to the park: More pictures: A good time was had by all.
Builder Boards, a Cedar Set
Ford Pranther set me these two wonderful Builder Board videos of a cedar set he built. The first set I built was using cedar boards, too. It's cheaper and you don't have to worry about finishing, which is a big job. He shows another way to cut the notches: with a...
Lucas Discovers Builder Boards
I was surprised a two year old would stick with it for so long
Recycled Builder Boards
Here is a small house made from recycled plywood