How to make a growth chart
Remember Mum or Dad marking your height on the door jamb every year until you were too old (or way too cool) to let them continue? It’s a time-honoured way of charting growth, but one that gets left behind or painted over when it comes to moving or renovating. Keep those memories close using this height chart you can create from a timber plank and display on a bedroom wall. It’s even transportable, so it can go where they go, and you can keep it for a lifetime! Start a new tradition with your kids, one centimetre at a time.
Gather your supplies:
• Recycled timber board or similar (here, about 1400 x 180 x 18mm)
• Self-adhesive numbers (see Note)
• Acrylic paint in white
Note
Quantity of numbers we used: 0 (15); 1 (7); 2 (2); 3 (2); 4 (2); 5 (2); 6 (1); 7 (1); 8 (1); 9 (1)
You’ll also need: Pencil; ruler or tape measure; painter’s tape; white marker pen; small paintbrush; selfadhesive picture-hanging strips
Step 1 Measure and mark up in pencil 1 long side of timber in centimetre intervals.
Step 2 Before you continue, consider hanging position of chart on wall. Because ours was mounted 15cm above ground level, we led with five 1cm intervals from the bottom, then made a longer mark to indicate 20cm. Once you have decided on your hanging height, make longer pencil marks at 10cm intervals. These will be painted and accompanied by numbers later.
Tip Tall family genes? Mount height chart higher on wall and lead with a higher number (or choose a longer timber board).
Step 3 Draw over centimetre pencil marks using white marker pen. Don’t go over longer pencil lines as they will be painted later. Let dry.
Step 4 Use painter’s tape to mask up longer lines. Keep lines about 5mm wide and evenly spaced from opposite long edge of timber, allowing ample room for numbers.
Step 5 Use small paintbrush to paint masked-up lines in 2 coats of white acrylic. Allow to dry after each coat.
Step 6 Carefully remove painter’s tape and discard.
Step 7 Stick self-adhesive numbers in position, to suit.
Step 8 Hang completed height chart using a spread of picture-hanging strips.
