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 designed to be stable for kids or adults standing on them.  It is reported to hold up to 325lbs.  If you buy more than one, they stack up just great.  My son likes RED so we went with the red tool box, but they are also available in gray. (The gray one is the same size even though it doesn’t look like it in the photos)

My son loves it, and often uses it as a workbench and a seat in addition to its job as a step stool and toolbox.  I have to admit that I’ve used it as a low workbench on occasion too.

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 impressive and much needed program.

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.

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 game.

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.

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 like is that the projects are not only skill appropriate, they are real and usable.  Kids can often pick up on if they are doing a project that made up just for pretend, or dumbed down for kids.  These are functional and will be a big source of family pride because the results can be used ever day.

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: New Ideas for Out of Doors first published in 1906
• Camp-Lore and Woodcraft
• Wildwood Wisdom first published in 1945
• Woodcraft and Camping first published in 1963
• Boy Scouts Handbook 1911 edition

These are the kind of books you leave laying around and the next thing you know your child is teaching YOU a bunch of old wisdom.  Gives a nice glimpse to the past too.

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 photos of the kids using safety glasses.

Some Projects are Just More Important Than Others.

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 play tools that are furniture safe so kids can play with them in places where real tools would not be appropriate like in the car, in the living room, at grandma’s house…
• Kids need time to PLAY, when they aren’t being watched with eagle eyes and told, no hammering with the screwdriver, no running with the saw, don’t put that drill in your mouth…

There are a lot of toy tool sets to choose from.  Some are more realistic than others.  I have found that the ones that look more realistic don’t hold up as well, and also create some confusion over what is real and what is a toy.  If it’s a toy, they can PLAY, if it is not a toy, they can’t – or shouldn’t.  I like to make the distinction between toy and real to be clear.

• There are toy tool sets from Home Depot
• Toy tools  from Craftsman
• Environmentally friendly and recycled plastic toy tools
• And chunky wooden tool sets

And of course if you don’t want to buy them, here is a great example of toy tools you can make for or with your kids.

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 for work than for play, so when put to use, they just function better.

However, I also have limited time for tool selecting, so I certainly understand the need to just buy a set of kid sized tools and go from their.

Kid Tool Set Safety

The sets come with a variety of tools, however, I encourage you to introduce one tool at a time , like one every few days.  It is easier to address function and tool safety.  It is also the time to address the specific rules of the tool. Such as

• Keep both hands on the saw
• Only saw on wood in the vise or in the miterbox
• No sawing on furniture.

It may be that some tools in the set need to be withheld for months or even years until you feel the tool is appropriate for the child’s age, skill and behavior.

Here are some sets of real tools [I covered toy tool sets here]

• Grip 9 piece childrens tool set
• Tool set.  I like that this one comes with clamps (a real safety aid)
• This tool set by Kaplan seems to be the most complete and look the most like real tools without all the fancy colors and diminutive sizes.
• 10Pc Tool Kit is another full set with clamps.  Interesting that they packaged it with a fret saw (a really deep coping saw)

When choosing tools, I look for the ones that look the most like mine.  It sometimes indicates quality, but most importantly my son wants to use THE tool I am using, so if his looks like mine, that helps a lot.

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 Kids and Parents to Build Together has 15 great projects to serve as suggestions and guide.

In addition to projects, the book also introduces tools and teaches their use, then applies them to the project for a great learning sequence.

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 go the new route, there are a couple of good options:

Fiskars 8511 is a modern version with the gear enclosed so you don’t have to worry about fingers getting pinched on exposed gears (they rarely do).  The Fiskars 8516 is a colored version.

If you prefer the exposed  gear “old school” variety but want to buy new, this Schroeder hand drill is styled off some of the old Stanley models.

Neither these new hand drills or their older counterparts can hold or manage a drill bit larger than 1/4″ in diameter so stock up on a set of bits with 1/4″ and smaller drill bits.

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 if they are just pounding nails with a hammer.  There are a few companies that offer ear muffs for kids.

Peltor Junior Ear Muff NRR 22dB also available in Kid friendly pink and blue.

Baby Banz Ear protection for kids  NRR 21 dB

Radians Folding Earmuffs True Jr.  for Kids NRR 21 dB

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 look like my safety glasses.  Then on a suggestion from another woodworker I tried these Radians Mirage Small Safety Glasses.

The change was dramatic.  They fit his face, they were clearer, more comfortable and best of all he keeps them on.  It doesn’t hurt that they look like mine.  He often wants to be just like Daddy…for now.    Since they cost less than $2 a piece, I bought a dozen of them.  So far he’s been using the same pair for several months now.  They only have  a few scratches on them, and we use them almost daily.  When they get worse I will throw them out and give him another.  They hold up well.  The only time he ever tries to take them off is if he works up a sweat and they get steamed up.   He is definitely more safe with these on.  They are even ANSI certified.

It is important that your child is comfortable wearing them so in case you child is uncomfortable with these.  There are a few other styles you could try.  Or perhaps choose them because they more closely resemble the safety glasses you use.

The MFASCO G4 Kids Safey Glasses

Pyramex Mini Ztek Safety Glasses for Kids

Kids Safety Goggles (useful if your child has prescription eyewear to wear under these)

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.