Step it up! DIY walking blocks for fun and balance

19 Mar 2025

Winter isn’t here yet so make the most of the outdoors with this fun DIY! These walking blocks are a fantastic way for kids (and playful adults) to challenge their balance, coordination and creativity. Using just a few pieces of wood, some vibrant Resene paints, and a little bit of rope, you can create your own set of walking blocks for hours of entertainment. Whether it’s a backyard obstacle course or just a fun new way to get moving, this simple project is sure to be a hit. Let’s get stepping!

You will need:

• Pine wood, 90mm x 90mm square x 300mm long

• Saw

• Drill

•  Sandpaper

• Resene Quick Dry

• Painter’s tape

• Paintbrush

• Resene testpot paints in your choice of colours. Fleur used Resene Chelsea Gem, Resene Karma, Resene Rain Forest, Resene Blue Moon and Resene Madison

Step 1:Cut a length of 90mm x 90mm square pine wood into two 13cm lengths. Drill through both blocks using a drill bit that is big enough to fit the rope through. Sand any rough edges smooth and prime with a coat of Resene Quick Dry. 

Paint each of the four side faces of the block with a different colour of your choice. Fleur used Resene Chelsea Gem, Resene Karma, Resene Rain Forest and Resene Blue Moon.

Step 2:Use some painters tape to tape a diagonal line across each of the four faces and paint one side of the triangle with another of your chosen colours – Fleur used Resene Madison for this. Do this for all the other faces. Remove the tape.

Step 3:When the paint is dry, thread the rope through, make it long enough to reach up to the walker’s hips and tie with a simple knot.

Step 4:Walk and enjoy!

Retaining wall stained in Resene Woodsman Pitch Black.

project and images Fleur Thorpe

Published: 19 Mar 2025