DIY Sand Tray House Tutorial

As I mentioned HERE it is super important to have more than one house in your Play Therapy collection.  Two or more house allows children to play out themes related to transitions, divorce, moving homes, visiting friends (or conflict) in their neighborhood, being away from parents over night, and the list could go on! 
 
With this tutorial we are getting downright handy.  Like going to your local Home Depot, making saw dust, working with machines kind of handy. 
 
I think it goes without saying that if you are not a handy person (BIG shout out to my husband Reid for helping me with this one) find a handy spouse, best friend, or family member to lend some of their time.  I hope as therapists we know that we can always ask for help.  Now, depending on tools used the cutting portion will take 30-45 minutes.
 
I created these houses here for my Portable Playroom to get the most bang for my buck.  One 2x4 cost around $6-7 and made over 60 houses! That’s like $0.10 per house! And if you don’t need all of those houses?  Find a play therapist who could use a little bump to his/her collection!
 
I wanted these houses to be very neutral and non-descript so they could also serve as schools, stores, or almost anything you would want it to be!  AND making a TON of these were super cost effective. 
 
Here are the step-by-step instructions for how to create these for your Playroom:
 
Supplies:

• 2x4 8 foot board
• Skil Saw (you could also use a table saw)
• Chop Saw (or Miter Saw)
• 120 Grit Sand Paper
• Cutting Board Oil

 
Process:

• Take your 2x4 and cut 2 45 degree angles on the narrow side of the board (using the Skil Saw or Table Saw), down the entire length of the board to create the peak of the houses (see image below)
• Determine how long you want your houses (I made mine 1.5 inches wide, so overall the base is 1.5 x 2)
• Using any of the saws (Chop, Miter, Skil) cut your houses to length
• Sand the houses and edges with the 120 Grit Sand Paper until surfaces and edges are smooth
• Finish with Cutting Board Oil (coat liberally), let sit for 10 minutes, and wipe excess oil (this step protects the houses a bit more from sand and play!)
• Distribute them to your playroom, play kits, and the world! Make some for your friends!

So after this project you can say - YOU GET A HOUSE! YOU GET A HOUSE! YOU ALL GET HOUSES! AND it's so much cheaper than when Oprah gives away houses! ​Okay – now go out and create!

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