20 Easy Beginner Wood Carving Projects

If you buy something through our posts, we may get a small commission. Read more here.

Share It
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
WhatsApp
Reddit

Making a hobby with wood carving is an excellent way to refine your skills and have fun simultaneously. It may seem like a daunting task, but with the right projects, you will get the hang of it in no time. 

To help you out, our pro woodworkers have shared their recommended beginner wood carving projects.

20 Easy Wood Carving Projects

#1: Wooden Spoon

Wooden Spoon

Tools and Materials

Recommended Wood Type

Time to Complete

Carving wood to make a spoon is a very easy beginner project. It’s not restrictive, and it utilizes a combination of features, techniques, and decorative methods to achieve your desired look. 

Keep on working and revisiting your wooden spoon to carve and add some details. If you’re starting out, we advise keeping your wood spoon design simple to avoid botching your first project. You can also do several of these, as spoon carving will need just a few hours to be finished. 

#2: Bowl

bowl

Tools and Materials

Recommended Wood Type

Time to Complete

Making a bowl is simple and is a good way to start wood carving. It may not be as popular as other kitchen utensils like spoons, but bowls make for nice decorations. 

This is another carving hobby that follows the same cutting and whittling skills as that of a spoon. One difference is that this one requires a bigger block of wood. 

#3: Mini Whiskey Barrel

Mini Whiskey Barrel

Tools and Materials

Recommended Wood Type

Time to Complete

A mini whiskey barrel is another fun project that’s not overwhelming for novices. Use the hook knife to the barrel that will hold liquid. Also use a small pocket knife or wood carving knife to shape and decorate the barrel. 

The last wooden barrel is finished with tung oil and allowed to dry for a few days. Once finished, the barrel can be used as a good table accessory or can be used to take a shot of liquor.

#4: Kuksa Cup

Kuksa Cup

Tools and Materials

Recommended Wood Type

Time to Complete

The kuksa cup, or guksi, is a Norwegian drinking cup carved from a single block of birch. Continue to carve at the cup to get the ideal design.

This functional cup will complete the feeling of being a Viking. There is no limit to crafting a Kuska cup. You can do many designs that can result in a beautiful cup. 

#5: Basic Bunny

bunny

Tools and Materials

Recommended Wood Type

Time to Complete

Wooden rabbits or any small animals are fun beginner wood carving projects. You can start with a basic shape and continue to chisel away at forming details. 

Several iterations of a basic bunny can help you gauge your carving skills. This project can be accomplished under an hour and can instantly boost your confidence. 

You can use the basic bunny as an accessory, paperweight, and keyholder. You can make one by utilizing carving knives and gouging tools. 

#6: Simple Bird

bird

Tools and Materials

Recommended Wood Type

Time to Complete

A simple bird is a fun little project. Creating one will help you start carving as a hobby. It involves playful, stunning, and intricate artistry. To make one you need to make chiseled edges, irregular curves, and patterns of exact spots and stripes. 

#7: Wizard Face

wizard face

Tools and Materials

Recommended Wood Type

Time to Complete

Carving a wizard face from a flat piece of timber is simple. There is no need to have advanced woodcarving skills, especially since this is one of those whittling projects that are easy to do. 

This project will expect your dedicated attention and skill in carving facial features like wrinkles. Wizard faces are not only considered in fairy tales but can also be considered Santa’s faces on Christmas. This can also be given as a gift during this holiday.

#8: Wooden Flower

wooden flower

Tools and Materials

Recommended Wood Type

Time to Complete

A fairy forest collection will be complete with some flowers. This beginner wood carving project can be built and crafted with just a block of lumber and hand tools. There are many ways to pull off a wooden flower, and the more three-dimensional it appears, the more skills it requires.

Attention to detail is also required when carving out a flower from wood. More pronounced petals and little detail may require more skill to create a flower with a romantic flair.

For more project ideas, check these beginner Dremel wood carving patterns here!

#9: Mini Owl

owl

Tools and Materials

Recommended Wood Type

Time to Complete

Forest birds such as owls are considered basic projects. Furthermore, they are very interesting pieces that come out from carving wood. Owls are iconic, and no one will second guess their identity. 

They are a good beginner piece, especially with the flexibility and details you can add to them. Not only will these improve your skills, but they can also make a good gift.

#10: Cat

wooden cat

Tools and Materials

Recommended Wood Type

Time to Complete

The good thing about carving animals is that simple techniques can be easily applied to another. Carving cats from wood is no different. 

Cats have distinct features making them easy to recognize when done by a beginner. And making a wooden cat is generally easier, with fewer details to consider.

You do not need a lot of tools to accomplish this whole project. You can do this beginner woodworking project anywhere, even in the comfort of your own living room.

#11: Gnome

gnome

Tools and Materials

Recommended Wood Type

Time to Complete

Treat this woodworking project as a gradation item. A wooden gnome requires a lot of patience to carve out its details. It is normal to start with a rough shape. It gets better with every detail added to it. 

It can stand independently and be added to your fairy-themed forest co