Getting your children into woodworking is not always as easy as just bringing them out to the workshop. However these 9 tips should help. Getting your kids interested in what you love is not always easy especially if you work in a shop where space may be limited. You’re surrounded with tools that can hurt them, and in general how do you make it something they will want to continue to do with you and not be bored in 5 minutes.Â
Children as young as 3 years old are capable of using basic hand tools with adult supervision. More important then age is maturity. You know your kids better then anyone. How good are your children at following rules? If you tell them to stop will they do so or wait until you raise your voice? Another very important thing to factor in is time. You will need to block off some real time to focus on them and teaching them. You shouldn’t be trying to finish a project at the same time.
It’s not always easy but with this list and a little prep it surely will be easier.
How to Prepare Yourself
- Be a Good Teacher
- Don’t Use Your Best Tools
- Let Them Fail
What You Need Before They Get Out There
- Clean Up
- Safety Equipment
- Have Lots For Them To Do
What to do when they first get in the shop
- What Age is Best to Get Them Started
- Have Kid Friendly Tools
- Have Fun
Below is ways to make this bonding experience painless and and something you both will look forward to.
How to Prepare Yourself
Be a Good Teacher
Like I stated above, block off some time to focus on them. Remember this is time for you too not just teach but to bond with you children, enjoy it. Show them how to do something and let them do it. You probably will have to keep reminding them to pay attention and focus on the task at hand when they are using power tools.
I got my 4 yr old son and 7yr old daughter out there running an orbital sander. It was great to show them how to do it. I had to explain to them not to lean to the point that your out of balance if it slips. I constantly had to tell them to focus on the project at hand not to be looking around.
Don’t Use Your Best Tools
Let them use tools you don’t care to much about or ones that are durable. They will beat on whatever tool you give them so be prepared for that.
My daughter found an old hand drill and I let her use it because I figured she couldn’t hurt it. I was partially right she couldn’t hurt that but she did break a drill bit. Again, perfectly fine it was a learning experience for her. I just let her know why it happened, cheap drill bits and not keeping the drill straight when using it. I was also a great chance to let her know that I too did the same thing a few times.
You want them to know everything has to be learnt and we had our share of mistakes and problems but the key is to adapt and problem solve.
Let Them Fail
To go with the above letting them fail is a important part of learning. Let me rephrase that letting them fail the appropriate amount is important. When they fail it’s important to talk with them on what they could do differently next time and it’s always best to show them. The other thing you can do is find a solution or work around to their problem. This again is very important not just in the workshop but in life as well.
What You Need Before They Get Out There
Now that you have prepared mentally let prepare the shop and equipment.
Clean Up
Before you even bring them out I suggest cleaning up the shop. With tools everywhere, sawdust, scrap wood, and some shops like mine are cramped you want it to be as safe as possible. The last thing you need is for anyone to be tripping over things.
Safety Equipment
Safety gear for them is a must especially if you plan to let them use power tools. With the dust, noise, and how easy it is to get hurt make sure you have eye, ear, and lung protection. Proper work attire is another must. Make sure they wear close toed shoes and nothing is hanging loosely from there person like long hair, jewelry, or clothes. Lastly, sooner then later you should implement safety guidelines like what they can and can’t use, when they can be out there, and whatever other rules pertain to your particular shop. Starting them early to respect the place and the tools within it is crucial for everyone’s safety.
Have Lots For Them To Do
Kids like to jump from one thing to another when they are in new areas, and the workshop will be no different. Take that excitement as a sign that they are enjoying themselves. Your best bet is to direct that excitement in forms of projects or tasks.
Kids especially younger ones love helping their parents. Tasks could be something like disassembling a product, painting, or trying their hand at a glue up. All this will be dependent upon their age.
When I got my daughter out there for the first time I had her swirling resin that I poured so the metallic pigment will have a nice flow to it. Did she make mistakes when doing it? Ya of course, she swirled something right out of the hole but I just added a little more and it’s all good. I’ve had her do something super simple as take some side tables apart with a screwdriver, put the hardware in a jar, and gives me the wood. She had a blast doing it. Now, taking a table apart will be fine for the younger kids. They will be happy just being apart of what you do. Now if I had a teen, to them taking a table apart would be child labor so I suggest you might want to try one of the projects below.
As for projects you can do, here are a few ideas ranging from easy to more difficult:
- Robot or monster from scrap wood and glue.
- Bird house
- Coin bank
- Box (like a jewelry box or tool box for them)
- Make a sign for their own room
- Gift for mom, grandparents, sibling, or other loved one
- Doll house
- Cutting board
- American Flag
- Desk for their room
What to do When They First Get in the Shop
Introducing them to the shop is like a right of passage. Present them their own safety gear, maybe a tool box with their first tool. Let them just explore the shop, seeing what they can find, see what’s interesting them will go a long way in them feeling comfortable being in the shop. Once they find a tool they are drawn to give them a board and let them explore what they can do.
I let my daughter explore my shop. She went through all the drawers, looked in tool boxes. She would find something that would interest her and ask what it was and what it was for. She was especially fond of a tiny hammer and an old carving knife.
What Age is Best to Get Children Started Woodworking
Get them out there early. Like I said above Children as young as 3 years old are capable of using basic hand tools with adult supervision. More important then age is maturity. You know your kids better then anyone. Make sure they have the ability to listen and follow directions.
This is where I failed with my oldest. I should have gotten her out there years ago. I’m doing better with my son in getting him out there at 4 years old.
Have Kid Friendly Tools
I don’t mean go buy real tools for kids. What I mean is a having a mallet for them that fits their hands or on weight with what they can handle. You could go one step further and start a tool box for them or work with them in making their own tool chest.
Have Fun
I’ll give you one last bit of advice. If they had fun just know they will want to be out there every time you are.
I struggling with that now. My oldest has her goggles and apron at the ready. If I even say anything that sounds like patio or woodworking she’s right there decked out in her gear. What I do is, if time permits, I try to get her out there with me because that is what I want. I want my kids to be excited to be with me
Getting your kids in the shop doesn’t have to be painful. It’s a wonderful way to bond with them. It takes them away from the computer, phones, tv, and the stresses of life and will only strengthen that bond between you. They will talk about these moments for years, it’s up to you to make those happy.
Feel free to reach out with more tips that have helped you.
