How to Make a Coastal Tree from Tumbling Tower Wood Blocks

Tumbling Tower Blocks are wooden game blocks sold at your local Dollar Tree store. They’re smaller in size than a traditional Jenga block. If you can’t find them there…check out 5 and Below. They sell their version of the wood blocks game but their in a little bit of a larger size. I used DT Tumbling Tower Blocks to make the tree and trunk. I used 5 and Below game blocks to make the base.

These trees can be decorated in a wide variety of different styles. You can make them shabby chic, country primitive, classic & modern, southwest, and I chose to make one in a fun Coastal Beach style. Just change up the garland, tree topper and the little decorative accents on the base to fit within your decorating style.

** This post contains affiliate links.

You will need to set aside a few days to make one. Why? I found that hot glue didn’t work well for adhering the wood blocks together. I chose to use Gorilla Glue instead, so I laid out all of the blocks and glued them together in small sections and once dry…then glue those sections to other sections until the entire tree was built (minus the base). I had my husband cut one of the blocks into a square to use at the tippy top of the tree.

How to Make a Tree from Tumbling Tower Wood Blocks

Tumbling Tower Wood Game Blocks
4 Wood Game Blocks from 5 & Below
Gorilla Glue
Hot Glue Gun and Glue
Scissors
Clear Fishing Line
Tiny Beads (your choice of colors)
Tiny Seashells
Star Fish
Jute
Mini Conch Shell
Mini Wrapped Present
Beach Sand
Modge Podge – Glossy Finish
Rainbow Shimmer Fine Glitter
White Acrylic Paint
Paint Brush

As I explained above…lay the unfinished blocks out in the pattern shown in my photograph. Work in sections gluing them together until the tree has been built. You can paint, stain, wax, etc. the tree into the desired color. I chose to paint mine with white acrylic craft paint (3 coats, front, back and sides) allowing for 40 minutes of drying time between coats.

While the paint was drying I worked on the mini tree garland. I purchased a multi-pack of tiny beads in aqua and seaglass colors. I measured the width of each section on my tree and added 2″ to that length. Knotted the fishing line end and started stringing the beads. Once I reached the desired width…knotted the end again and used scissors to trim. You’ll need 4 garlands in 4 different sizes.

The starfish that I used was in a natural beige color which I didn’t like. I painted it with 2 colors of white paint. Once dry, I painted on clear Modge Podge. While it was still wet I sprinkled on the fine rainbow glitter and set it aside to dry.

I used 4 of the larger wood blocks (glued together with Gorilla Glue) to form the base. I then used Modge Podge (heavy coat of it) and sprinkled on natural beach sand. I left it dry for 2 hours. Once it’s dry use Gorilla Glue to glue the trunk of the tree down onto the base. I had to prop up the tree (near the top) to get everything to lay flat while it was drying. It took about 3 hours.

Plug in the glue gun. Start by gluing on the beaded garlands with the knotted ends glue to the back. Start at the bottom and move up toward’s the top as you go. Then add the tree topper. The garlands looked plain so I opted to glue on tiny seashells that look like they’re dangling from it.

For the finishing touches I glued natural colored jute around the tree’s trunk. Then used the hot glue gun to add a mini wrapped present and baby conch shell onto the base. You can add more decorations or less, whatever you prefer.

* This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may or may not receive a small commission which helps to support this site. Thank you!