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This toy's whole appeal is an optical trick: a stack of blocks that appears to tumble endlessly downward when tipped, even though it's really just folding along a repeating ribbon pattern. Getting that illusion right depends entirely on the ribbon attachment pattern, not on anything structural in the blocks themselves.
Cut every block from a consistent 2-1/2" wide board using a stop block on the miter saw — even a small variance in block length breaks the cascading illusion, since the blocks have to fold flush against each other at every joint.
Paint each face and edge a different color. Kids (and honestly, most adults) will spend more time flipping this to watch the colors shift than they will figuring out how it works.
| Item | Qty |
|---|
| Hobby board, 2-1/2" wide (poplar or similar)≈ about 8 ft of 3/4" × 6" board | 3 board ft |
| Grosgrain ribbon, 3/8" | 2 yard |
| Small brad nails | 1 box |
| Paint, assorted colors | 6 oz |
A board foot is a volume, not a length: 144 cubic inches, or a piece 1″ thick by 12″ wide by 12″ long. The “≈” note beside each row shows roughly how much 3/4″ × 6″ board that works out to.
Overall cost: $. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| BlocksHobby board | 12 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 3" |
Buy 1 board at 8 ft.
1 board
Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →
Cut the hobby board into 3in blocks using a miter saw with a stop block, so every block comes out exactly the same length.
Sand the corners of each block round.
Paint each block a different color on each face and edge.
Cut the grosgrain ribbon into pieces sized to connect the blocks in the classic zigzag Jacob's Ladder pattern.
Attach the ribbons to the backs of the blocks with small brad nails, alternating the attachment pattern so the blocks fold and cascade when tipped.
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