I purchased a wooden sled at a nursery the other week for a whopping $40! Worth it in the end because I was able to use it as a template to build 5 more as gifts, and share plans with you to build your own!
Make your own wooden sled
- (5) 13 ½” x 1 ¼” x 3/8″
- (2) 7 ¼” x 1 ¼” x 5/8″
- (4) ½” dowel cut to 3 ½” long
- (2) extra dowels (we’ll cut later)
- (1) 1″ x 6″ x 21″
Draw your sled front
Trace a Tupperware bowl or quart can of paint onto your 1″ x 6″ board. The highest point of the curve will be at about 5″, and the sled blade will be 1 ½”. This will use up part of your 1″ x 6″ board, but will leave you enough to trace a second sled front on the opposite end.
Cut your two sled blades out with a jigsaw or scroll saw.
Wooden sled seat
Cut a length of 2″ x 4″ to 13 ½” long.
Set your table saw fence to 3/8″, make sure you have at least 3 blade “gullets” showing above the height of your wood, and rip 5 strips.
After you’ve ripped down 5 strips, there will be enough thickness of 2×4 left to cut a strip at 5/8″ thick. Adjust your fence and cut one piece. Cut this piece to 7 ¼” long.
You will need two at 7 ¼” so you may have to dig up a second scrap piece of wood to make it. These will make up the seat base for your wooden sled.
Marking for placements
Mark your two seat base pieces (7 ¼” x 5/8″) at one inch in from either end. Find the centre of that line and mark it for drilling.
Mark your sled rails at 5″ and 12″ from the not-curved-end.
Drilling
Wrap painters tape around your ½” drill bit at the ¼” mark. This will be your stop point when drilling the holes in the sled pieces. (for better accuracy, I line my measuring tape up at the 1″ line instead of 0)
Drill ¼” deep holes at the marked points on the sled rails AND the sled seat base.
Remove the painters tape and drill through-holes somewhere near the rear of the sled rails, and two more through-holes in the curved front. One will hold a dowel to keep your wooden sled structurally firm and the other will be for threading rope through.
It’s very important to drill these holes now BEFORE assembling your wooden sled. I forgot to drill one set and tried to do it after the sled was assembled and the curved section broke off. Drilling them while flat, on a scrap piece of wood (hard work surface) gives it support so it won’t crack and break.
Dowels
Cut your ½” dowels to 3 ½” long.
Apply wood glue and tap them firmly into place in the sled rails. Repeat for the sled seat base.
Cut the remaining two dowels to fit the width between (and including) the sled rails. I found it easiest to slide a dowel through the lower sled rail, mark where it sticks out and then cut two to the same length. It will be just over 6″.
Use wood glue to hold these cross braces in place. If you have clamps, use them to hold these dowels in place while they dry. I found the curved front section of the sled spread further than 6″, so clamping ensured the dowels fit and that the front section didn’t splay out.
Attaching the wooden sled seat
Find the centre point of your sled seat base, and the centre point of one of your 3/8″ sled seat pieces. Line up these centre points and glue your first seat board in place.
Repeat outwards from centre so you have an equal overhang on both edges. I used a 3/8″ spacer between boards, but this is totally up to you.
Once your wood glue dries, you are ready to sand and finish!
Go with wood stain (this is dark walnut), or spray paint in soft or vibrant colours.
Thread the remaining through-holes in the front of your wooden sled with jute rope for that ‘antique’ added touch.
Holiday Centerpiece Extraordinaire
Use your wooden sled as the base for a festive dining table centrepiece.
Add:
- A floral centrepiece on top
- Mason jars filled with candles or greenery.
- Miniature trees and ornaments.
- A sprinkle of faux snow for extra magic.
This arrangement is perfect for holiday dinners and easily customizable to your theme.
Art That Wows
Set your vintage wooden sled on any surface for an eye-catching piece of art. Position it on your kitchen counter to display a hot cocoa station, or next to the tree to hold gifts.
To elevate the look:
- Decorate it with a garland of greenery and pinecones.
- Paint the sled with seasonal colors or distress it for a farmhouse aesthetic.
This easy idea instantly brings rustic charm to any space.
A Cozy Corner with a Wooden Sled
Place it next to a fireplace or an entryway bench. Add some warm tones with candles and a basket of pinecones to make it feel inviting.
Kids’ Room Nostalgia
Bring some playful nostalgia into your child’s room with a wooden sled. Mount it as a shelf or display it as a decor item to evoke fun winter memories. Personalize it by adding their name or a fun winter quote.
Caring for Your Wooden Sled Decor
To maintain your wooden sled’s charm:
- Wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove dust.
- Apply a coat of wood polish or beeswax for protection and shine.
- If displayed outdoors, seal the wood with a weatherproof finish.
Pin it for later:
So my $40 “template” has now built 4 more decorative wooden sleds as gifts and as free building plans for you (and me next year).
That’s a win all-around I think!
Have a great one!