This is only loosely related to woodworking but includes the concept that by bubble wrapping our kids (figuratively speaking) we are restricting their intellectual and physical development.  Here is a video of a presentation given by Gever Tulley, author of the book 50 Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Kids Do and founder of The Tinkering School. The video is only 5 of the 50 things, but it does a great job of setting the stage for child development through real life interaction.

Concepts I definitely support:

• Let kids take things apart.  In order to create, you also have to be able to deconstruct.
• Let kids have a jackknife.  Tools and the experience that comes with them  are important.
• Let them experiment with fire in a safe setting.

I really like the idea behind this kid-sized workmate. Keep the workpiece clamped to keep little hands off the wood when they are sawing, screwing, drilling, chiseling or even nailing. It is when kids (or adults) use one hand to hold the workpiece that injuries happen.

Unfortunately, this particular bench is built by someone with more welding experience than probably most woodworkers have. If you’ve got the skill though, this looks like a great project.

I do recommend that if you are buying an actual Black & Decker Workmate for your child to use, get the one that has the step to stand on. It not only gives your child a little height, it also adds their weight to the bench so it can’t slide.  It also has a 450lb capacity just in case you need it for your own use.

Watching this video leaves little doubt that we should take a few moments to teach our kids how and when to call 911. This 3 yr old called 911 after his dad cut himself badly with a chisel.

Here are some posters you can print out and hang in the shop to help remind them about 911. The poster itself may not remind them, but pointing to it and talking about it regularly might.
Posters in PDF. For older kids you can write your address and phone number on the poster with a marker.

Reminder: Two hands on the chisel and no hands holding the wood.

A vise is rarely one of those tools where we expect kids might get hurt.  Typically a vise is more of a safety feature than a risk.  You want kids to get in the habit of securing their workpiece in a vise rather than trying to hold it by hand.

Other than a workpiece slipping out of the vise, the other risk is the PINCH that can come from the vise handle catching a little bit of skin between the end of the handle and the hole where the handle resides.

The best way to keep the fingers of a kid or even an adult out of the pinch zone on a vise is to not let them get in there.  A rubber band wound around each end of the vise handle will keep flesh from getting pinched.

The rubber bands that I have found work the best are the fat blue ones that hold bunches of broccoli together.  They last longer and are thick enough to keep little fingers and big from getting pinched.

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)

I was concerned that some of the vintage tools that I was using with my son might contain lead paint, so I bought a lead test kit and tested them.

My Millers Falls Hand drill with red paint on the main gear (~ 1920′s) does not contain lead.

My Stanley Handyman plane (~1950′s)  with the red painted frog (the thing the blade attaches to)  does not contain lead.

If you are using other vintage tools with your children, it may be worth checking them out.  If you find lead or find no lead, please report what you tested and the results in the comments below.

Test kits can be purchased from most paint stores  or from Amazon: Lead Paint Test Kits.

Here is a great post with a handful of tips for parents on safety while kids are accompanying them in the workshop.

from LumberJocks >> Woodshop Safety for Kids

Included is a nice video