10 Easy DIY Wood Carving Projects

There’s magic in taking a raw piece of wood and creating something beautiful from it, and that’s exactly what these DIY Wood working projects are all about! Wood carving is more than just a craft; it also has health benefits, as it helps relieve fatigue, builds patience, and allows you to express your creativity through wooden pieces. It’s a hobby that anyone can start as a mind-relaxing activity. Here is a list of 10 DIY Wood Carving Projects that will inspire you to turn scrap wood into decorative and practical pieces.

DIY Wood Carving Projects

Whether you have knowledge of wooden tools or not, adopting the carving hobby is quite simple. Our collection of DIY carving projects caters to all needs, whether you’re looking to craft a decorative piece for your home, utensils for your kitchen, or carve a toy for your child. These creative projects are made with simple carving materials and just pieces of wood. Each DIY project is rich with visual and textual information, making it accessible even for beginners. So, never get bored and carve these DIY ideas that are perfect for adding a unique touch to your room and great for gifting purposes.

What are the basic things to carve out of wood?

Animal shapes: A fun and engaging way for beginners to start carving.
Signs: A welcoming piece for your home and a simple carving project.
Coasters: A straightforward, creative, and useful woodworking project.
Picture Frames: Offers creativity and customization with a touch of personal style.
Chess Pieces: Challenging and rewarding, perfect for honing your carving skills.
Bookmarks: Simple yet functional, also make for wonderful gifts.
Keychains: Handy and allow for various design explorations.
Letter Openers: Simple, yet give room for creativity.
Bowls: A bit challenging but produce a highly useful and beautiful outcome.

Whittled Standing Shark

Using simple tools, this DIY guide will teach you to carve a beautiful Brown Trout out of wood. The resulting sculpture is perfect for enhancing your room decor or gifting to a loved one obsessed with marine creatures.

The creator begins with a representation of a Brown Trout. The sequence starts shaping a gentle S-curve at the back of the Dorsal Fin and a very subtle C-curve on its front side. Lines are created level with the fish’s back with the intention of positioning the fin on the creature’s right. The burning in of scales commences from the head, followed by a lateral line from the tail to the gill plate. The carving process advances with guidance requested and given by the community. The final piece is shown with captured progress throughout the creation journey.

Materials:

A piece of wood
Wood carving tools or knives
Sandpaper of different grits for smoothing
Wood stain or paint for finishing purposes

wetcanvas

Little Whittled Dinosaur

Spend your spare time creating this charming DIY Whittled Dinosaur using this handy guide. This delightful sculpture would make an adorable gift for a friend or serve as an elegant decoration for your shelf! You can bring your dinosaur model to life by painting it or letting its natural wooden appearance speak for itself.

Start your wood carving adventure by getting used to the correct tools, like a top-quality knife and supplies to keep it sharp. Pick a suitable softwood block with clear, straight grain lines. Learning how to hold your knife properly and follow safety rules is crucial. Get better at noticing the direction of the wood grain and always carve with or across it. Improve your carving method by making slight, scooping cuts, and keep on practicing to gain more insight and skill. Most importantly, always have fun!

Materials:

Knife
Sharpening Supplies
Wood

instructables

Carved Viking Chess Piece

This Viking Chess Piece is all set to be a star of your game. In a ready stance, the knight can move anywhere on the board. Made skillfully from a big piece of sandstone and having a wooden base, it’s great for any game room or Viking set.

Start by preparing and splitting a length of green wood. Using coarse cuts, begin to mold the face and beard of the Viking. Soon after, refine these initial markings with a more detailed outline. The finishing touch involves adding precise details like eyes and mouth for a realistic chess piece. Your carved Viking chess piece is now ready to take on the battle of chessboard!

Materials:

A small whittling knife or a chip knife for carving
A bigger knife for splitting the wood
A pull saw
A length of green wood

instructables

Carving A Eagle Feather

In this distinct carving project, an eagle feather with an eagle head etched into it is carved from a simple piece of wood. This project is an artistic expression, excellent decor, or a heartfelt present for weddings, graduations, funerals, and spirit quests,

Create an impressive eagle feather carving by following these steps. Begin by drawing the pattern and cutting it out. Carefully thin the wood, round off the feather, and create the quill. For the head, shape ancd round it, carve the beak and define the eyes. Smooth the feather and add numerous lines along its length. Finally, paint the carving with precision and watch as your eagle feather comes to life.

Materials:

Piece of wood
A pattern for carving
Bandsaw or coping saw
Knife and V-tool for carving
A gouge
Sandpaper
Paints

instructables

Chisel Carved Tiki Idol

This island statue is a great present for someone you care about or to show off in a set. Its real-looking design brings some beauty and fits well with any room design. This is a cool and low-cost way to decorate your house, beach home, or flat.

To craft a Tiki Idol, research designs, pick a soft wood piece, and sketch the design. Start to shape your idol by slicing off the excess wood using chisels and a mallet while occasionally using a saw for clear, straight lines such as eyes and eyebrows. Carve out the more intricate details by hand-push method for accuracy, maintaining patience throughout. Further, add more depth by cutting behind some features. Sand down the detail for smoothness and stain the wood to a preferred shade.

Materials :

45mm X 90mm
A chisel and mallet
A saw
Bench hook
Sandpaper
Wood dye
White spirit-soaked rag
A brush for applying the dye

instructables

Spoon Carving For Everyone

A great wood carving idea is making your own wooden spoon. This can be a fun hobby or a way to create unique utensils either to add in your collection or usage. This project teaches you how to choose right tools and guides you through the carving process step by step.

To carve a wooden spoon, select a block of softwood (like Basswood or Cherry), sketch out your spoon design, and cut a rough outline using a saw to create a blank. Use a straight knife/gouge to start carving the main areas of a spoon. Detailed carving should be done gradually with precision for the handle thickness, length, and spoon’s head. Once roughed out, use a sanding drum to smooth the surface and finish with a food-safe seal like beeswax.

Tools:

Belt sander
Dremel tool
Scroll saw
Table saw

instructables

Make A Natural Elbow Boomerang

Lets spend a fun playing time with the friends throwing this DIY Boomerang. Featuring an extensive guide explaining each step of the process, from finding the perfect tree elbow to the final throw, this project awakens the innate craftsman in everyone.

The only difference from our original is that you play with your arm normally extended rather than bent. . It curves around, so you really have to throw hard to make it come back! The Make A Natural Elbow Boomerang comes with all the info you need. You’ll learn how to throw and catch, where to buy your own elbow boomerang, and which ones are the best for beginners. And once you learn the basics, the section on more advanced tricks will take your skills to another level.

Pocket saw
Grafting wax
Polyurethane glue
Manual saw
Vice
Plane
Sander
Sanding paper (from 80 to 600)
Natural oil

instructables

Hand Carved Pizza Wheel

Experience the joy of homemade pizza cutting with this Pizza Wheel. This DIY project transforms ordinary kitchen utensils and a piece of wood into a unique pizza accessory. The cutter ensures precise pizza slicing, while the hand-carved wooden handle offers a comfortable grip and rustic aesthetic.

Get this DIY project by flattening a spoon on an anvil and covering it with leather or rubber to protect the surface. Use a math compass to find the center, draw a circle, and drill a hole. Next, punch out the circle using a steel puncher and remove the remaining pieces. File the wheel in a vice. For the handle, carve a wood piece with a machete, refine it with a knife, and sand it. Optionally, engrave or carve your initials, then apply beeswax or varnish. Finally, attach the wheel to the handle, and your pizza cutter is ready.

Materials:

1 Stainless Spoon
Piece of Wood
1” Screw
Punzon.
Mask Tape
Cutter
Sand Paper
Beeswax
Varnish

instructables

Carving Jack O Lanterns From Scrap Wood

Celebrate the Halloween spirit with this fun family project Carving Jack-O-Lanterns from scrap wood.It can be given as holiday gifts to your loved ones. It’s also a delightful holiday exercise that results in unique, homemade Halloween decorations.

Draw your desired jack-o-lantern design on the chosen wood piece, and cut out the pattern using a scroll, jigsaw, or coping saw. To securely work on the piece, attach a cleat and clamp it in a vice. Carve the edges and features using oscillating tools, such as a Dremel Multi-Max and a conical cutting bit for refining. Sand the piece, working your way up from coarse-grit to fine-grit sandpaper. Add finishing touches using a variety of paints or dyes, seal the wood, and mount it to admire your creation.

Materials:

Scrap Wood
Scroll saw, band saw, or coping saw
Dremel 7700
Scrap 1″ material for cleats
Sanding pad
Sandpaper
Finish (like spray paint, finger paint, food coloring, etc.)
Sharpie or similar tool
Helmsman’s wood sealer
Drill

instructables

Easy Wood Carving With Dremel Multitool Or Rotary Tool

This DIY wood carving project presents a simple method to carve an owl on a tree branch using a Dremel Multitool or Rotary Tool. It would make a heartfelt gift for a loved one, showcasing your affection. Moreover, it can serve as a durable decorative item that brings a retro vibe to your space for years to come.

Start your wood carving activity by picking an appropriate thick piece of wood. Draw your pattern and make an outline using a sharp cutter. Once enough wood is taken out, start smoothing the surface. Embark on your main carving, roughly shaping the design and steadily removing the nearby material. For round sections, alter your tool. Bit by bit, work on the fine details, changing tools based on what needs to be removed or put in. After achieving the desired design, refine the deeper parts. Add detailed bits using a tinier tool. Lastly, finish your project by applying a seal to your design as you like.

Materials: