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
Tools and Materials
- Hand saw
- Carving hatchet
- Carving knife
- Wood carving sloyd knife
- Linseed oil
- 120, 200, and 400-grit sandpaper
Recommended Wood Type
- Birch, willow, cherry, apple, maple, basswood, and poplar
Time to Complete
- 45 minutes to 2 hours
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
Tools and Materials
- Protective gloves
- Axe
- Whittling knife
- 220-grit sandpaper
- Wood finish
Recommended Wood Type
- Greenwood
- Basswood
- Cedar
- Pine
- Beech
Time to Complete
- 60 to 75 minutes
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
Tools and Materials
- A wood chunk
- Sharp whittling knives
- Pen, pencil, or marker
- Tung oil
- Protective gloves
- 400-grit sandpaper
Recommended Wood Type
- Birch
- Basswood
- Pine
Time to Complete
- 45 minutes
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
Tools and Materials
- A small piece of lumber
- Tools
- Pen or pencil
- Sandpaper
- Wood finish
Recommended Wood Type
- Black walnut
Time to Complete
- 45 minutes
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
Tools and Materials
- Safety tape
- Chisel
- Whittling knife C16
- Wood finish
Recommended Wood Type
- Butternut
- Aspen
- Pine
- Cedar
Time to Complete
- 60 to 75 minutes
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
Tools and Materials
- Safety tapes
- Pencil
- Drake knife
- Paint
- Paintbrushes
Recommended Wood Type
- Basswood
Time to Complete
- 30 to 60 minutes
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
Tools and Materials
- A small block of lumber
- Tools
- Pen or pencil
- Sandpaper
- Wood finish
Recommended Wood Type
- Paper birch
Time to Complete
- 65 minutes
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
Tools and Materials
- A small block of timber
- Carving tools
- Pen or pencil
- Sandpaper
Recommended Wood Type
- Apple
- Basswood
- Mahogany
- Birch
Time to Complete
- 2 hours
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
Tools and Materials
- Safety tapes
- Pencil
- Drake knife
- Paint
- Paintbrushes
Recommended Wood Type
- Basswood
Time to Complete
- 30 to 60 minutes
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
Tools and Materials
- Basswood
- White pine
- Cedar
- Beech
Recommended Wood Type
- Safety tapes
- Pencil
- Drake knife
- Paint
- Paintbrushes
Time to Complete
- 45 minutes
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
Tools and Materials
- A small block of wood
- Carving tools
- Pen or pencil
- Sandpaper
- Wood finish
- Paintbrushes
- Acrylic paint
Recommended Wood Type
- Maple
Time to Complete
- 80 minutes
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