The Best Plywood Woodworking Projects for Winter

We’ve come to that incredibly sad time of the year where everything starts getting a little colder, wetter, and windier, making outdoor DIY jobs an uncomfortable experience, or even worse, impossible! With the weather becoming wild and the days getting shorter, a DIY warrior can become a little bored, unable to craft away to their heart’s content. At Plyco, we find that when the woodworking gets tough outside, it’s time to head indoors and flex those creative juices. Over the years we’ve compiled some of our favourite winter and indoor Plywood projects, and today we want to share them with you so you can survive the ever approaching winter period.

Winter Plywood Project 1 - No-Melt Snowman

Why not embrace the fact that winter is coming and start building your own snowmen? This is a fun little craft project that can function as a perfect time filler during school holidays or on those miserable weekends where going outside isn’t possible. All you need is a sheet of Plywood, and some paint and craft supplies and you’re good to go. Dress up your snowmen in warm outfits and paint on a wacky face to truly bring them to life! This is a perfect project to entertain the kids and to possibly spark their interest in becoming a woodworking warrior themselves in the future.

Winter Plywood Project 2 - Wooden Bathmat

A bathmat made out of wood? You might think we’re pulling your leg but bear with us for a moment. Wooden bathmats have become a popular thing recently, and it’s not too hard to see why once you see one up close. These mats look stunning and actually have some unique benefits over traditional bathmats, like not getting stuck to the floor when it’s drenched with water after you’ve just stepped out of the shower!

For this project, you’re going to have to pick up some anti-slip pads for the bottom of your mat, but outside of that the required materials are minimal. Even better is that, apart from some cutting and rounding, the creation process is so easy that even beginners would be able to tackle this with success.

We recommend using a high-grade Marine Plywood like Hoop Pine AA Marine. This will ensure you have the highest quality finish, while also having material that can handle wet areas with ease. Don’t forget to seal the board too! A common misconception is that Marine Plywood boards don’t need to be sealed, however, this process still needs to be completed if you want to get the most out of it.

You can view the full in-depth tutorial for this project here.

Winter Plywood Project 3 - Stacking Totes

Here’s a project that is not only for the kids, but can also include them in the construction process. These Plywood stacking totes are the perfect way to manage all of your little one’s toys in a clever and vibrant way. Much like the No-Melt Snowman, this project is incredibly simple to complete and requires just some basic cutting and drilling skills for you to get the entire job done. Once the final product has been put together you can get your young apprentices to help out with the paint jobs, where their imaginations and creativity can run wild. A perfect way to spend an afternoon with the kids!

You can view the complete step-by-step guide here.

Winter Plywood Project 4 - Couch Arm Tray

Creating Plywood masterpieces can be tiring work, and if you’re anything like us you love to sink down into the couch after a productive day of creating. So, why not combine both of these with an extremely handy couch arm try? This is one project where you have a lot of flexibility to make it as complex or as simple as you want. Do you just want somewhere to safely hold that cuppa while you start on your latest Netflix binge? Maybe you want extra nooks and crannies to hold your phone, books, and anything else you could possibly need? This simple but elegant design is able to be easily adapted to your needs while still looking gorgeous.

This one is a little bit more complex due to the measuring, edging, and a few other components, so it’s probably best to hold off if you’re just starting out. However, once you’ve got your feet under you it’s a great build for those who want to test themselves. We recommend something like our Birch Premium Plywood for this as it’ll give you a stunning looking product whether you decide to keep the look as is or choose to jazz it up with paint or an extravagant finish.

Grab the full tutorial for this project here.

Winter Plywood Project 5 - Giant Jenga

This one is a classic and bona fide family favourite! Just about every man and his dog have played Jenga, and almost as many people have come across a larger version of the game. While you’re trying to dodge the rain this winter, why not craft up your own version? All you need is some Plywood, and a saw and you’re good to go - you don’t even need to be a woodworking expert for this one! We think a Jenga set made from Bamboo would look incredible, however, if you’re looking to put your own creative flair into it, you might want to pick a product like Poplar Plywood that you’ll be able to paint over.

Here’s the short tutorial on how to make your own giant Jenga game.

Hopefully, some of these project ideas have sparked some inspiration so that your tools won’t end up lying dormant throughout the winter months. If they have, head over to our online store where you can browse our entire range products!