For the parents of all the little Sawyers and Carvers
19
Oct
I picked up this Stack-On Step N Stool toolbox for my son so he could stand on it while working at my workbench, and then store his tools in it when he is done. They are made in the USA and well built. They are deeper than the average toolbox this size and are well […]
28
Sep
Passing this story along because it is so powerful and is what is needed so much more than high stakes standardized testing. A North Carolina Woodworker started a workshop for at risk kids. The students work, succeed and even sell their work. See the video below or visit kidsmakingit.org for more details about this very […]
24
Sep
This wooden crane project has quite a few parts, but makes a very cool toy for kids and has a few challenges for young woodworkers, but nothing that can not be done a little at a time. The plans are included.
23
Sep
This project is easy and combines a bit of simple woodworking with drawing or painting. The only bit I can add to making these concentration tiles would be to draw tools on them as the subjects. Tip: If you use cedar, then the tiles can be used as coasters when your child outgrows the concentration […]
22
Sep
When a toy is made of wood in the shop and is a replica of a tool, then it is a good project for everyone involved. Here is a nice example of a wooden toy hand plane patterned after a Stanley No 3.
17
Sep
Quick & Easy Woodworking: 28 Fun Projects to Start and Finish in a Day or Less is a nice set of projects that are useful and realistic. The book is intended for new woodworkers, but it also lends itself well to projects that woodworkers of any skill level could do with their kids. What I […]
16
Sep
As we move into Fall, many parents are taking their kids out into the woods for one last hike or walk before winter sets in. Here are some old-school books with intriguing wood and forest activities. These are also great to read before heading out on a camping trip. The Field and Forest Handy Book: […]
15
Sep
This is a nice post from Rob at The Logan Cabinet Shoppe about time spent with his young girls in the workshop. There are some great lessons to be learned here. Small bites, don’t over complicate things, let kid’s ideas reign supreme and several more. A truly great example that can only be improved by […]
11
Sep
I’ve already covered some tips for getting kid sized real tool sets, however sometimes you need to provide toy tool sets. There are a few limiting factors that may cause you to choose toy tools instead of or in addition to real tools Kids are too young for certain tools You need a set of […]
10
Sep
There are a number of tool sets for kids. They all differ in what items they have and the quality of those items. I tend to buy single tools at a time that are adult tools but approachable by kids. I find they are often made a little more solidly and they are designed more […]
9
Sep
Kids and parents building wood projects together is a great bonding experience and teaches kids things they can not learn any other way. Sometimes parents need a little help choosing projects that will hold the interest of their children yet not be overwhelming to build. The book The Kids’ Building Workshop: 15 Woodworking Projects for […]
3
Sep
An “eggbeater” style hand drill is a relatively safe tool for kids to use. They can often be found at garage sales or even on ebay. Some are collectible and have more value, but most sell for under $15. Older eggbeater drills made by Millers Falls or Stanley can still perform very well. If you want to […]
1
Sep
Ear protection for Kids is as essential for kids as it is for adults in the workshop. I do caution however to carefully consider the use of powertools in the presence of kids. Once the appropriateness of powertool use has been considered, if the task is loud, then kids need ear protection. That’s true even […]
31
Aug
I often had trouble getting my 2yr old to keep his safety goggles on. I had some small ones that came from a Home Depot activity. They made him uncomfortable and he would take them off as soon as I put them on. I couldn’t blame him. They fogged up, were uncomfortable AND they didn’t […]
Tools by Taro Miura is a 52 page book with clear and uncluttered drawings of tools. First a set of tools are shown by themselves along with their names, then they are shown in use. It is not strictly woodworking, some sets are for mechanics, some for sewing, and even some for watchmaking.