I’ve always wanted a way to track how my daughter grows over the years but I wanted something that one, I could take with me if we ever moved and two, that didn’t look tacky. So I decided to make this wooden growth chart! It was super easy and you can do it a variety of ways. I’ve previously made them by staining the wood and using a black paint pen you can buy at Hobby Lobby. For this one I had a request to match a nursery so I used paint. All the steps are the same. That’s what’s great about this project. You can make it any color you want!
Start with a 8 in x 1 in board that’s six feet long. You can get this at any lumber store.
Now either stain it whatever color you want or paint it. I recommend using a light color stain or paint so that the colors will show up. I used some left over Annie Sloan chalk paint and watered it down a bit so the grain still comes through.
Let it dry completely. Now get your measuring tape and lay it across the board. Start measuring every inch starting at 6 inches. You will hang the board six inches from the floor and the board will measure up to 6 foot 6 inches.
After that, draw out the hash marks. I make each inch mark two inches long and each foot mark 4 inches long. I start with a pencil first so I can make sure it’s all level. I think typically the black paint pen covers up the pencil better but I went over the hash marks a couple of times and it worked out fine.
Next I printed out numbers 1-6 to the size and shape I wanted and cut them out. I laid them on the ruler and traced around them. I just eye balled the placement.
Once they were traced I went back with my paint marker.
Then I filled in the numbers.
I wasn’t thrilled with how this color sharpie turned out so I bought a similar paint color and ended up filling the numbers in with paint.
Here is the one I did for my daughter with the stain and black sharpie pen.
That’s about it! Once it’s dried, secure it to the wall and have fun tracking your little ones growth!!!!
Originally published October 10, 2016
Andrea
Monday 10th of October 2016
This is so cute! I am going to attempt it :)