Sand a wood project

What can we use if we don't have a sanding block, dust mask, or a specific grit of sandpaper?

Wrap sandpaper snugly around a flat scrap of wood or a thick book as a homemade sanding block, wear a tightly woven cloth mask and safety glasses if a dust mask or goggles are unavailable, and if you lack a specific grit follow the instructions by starting with the coarsest grit you have then move to the medium and fine grits.

My wood still feels rough after the fine grit—what might have gone wrong and how do I fix it?

Make sure the piece was secured with an adult's help in a clamp or on a stable table, resand the rough spot with long even strokes along the grain using the fine grit, check with your fingertips, and wipe dust away with the cloth or small brush before repeating if needed.

How can we adapt the sanding steps for younger children or older kids?

For younger children have an adult clamp the wood and let them sand edges gently by hand with coarse then fine sandpaper while supervising, and for older kids allow independent clamping, full progression through coarse–medium–fine grits, or introduction of a power sander under supervision.

What are simple ways to extend or personalize the sanded wood project after finishing the sanding steps?

After feeling the surface smooth and wiping away dust with the cloth or brush, personalize the piece by painting, staining, adding stickers or woodburned designs, then take a photo and share the finished project on DIY.org as instructed.