Ideas for woodworking for kids?

[farmmilkmama]

We have two boys, ages almost 5 and almost 6. We homeschool and are looking to start woodworking into what they are doing. (Perfect article in the last issue!) Anyhow, does anyone have any suggestions on some good projects to get them started on?

[rhart]

I have a son and daughter age 10 and 8. They both started woodworking at about six years old.
They both started on a scrollsaw and a mini lathe.
As far as projects go we started with cutting out shapes for Christmas ornaments. I let them draw them out, then cut them and paint them. Simple puzzles are also easy to make with a scrollsaw.
Both of my children started woodturning at about six years of age also. Since then they have turned tops,ornaments,and wooden pens and pencils.They have even sold several pens and pencils.They also make them and give them as gifts.
Both the scrollsaw and lathe are safer than many other power tools.They also offer many projects that can be finished in an afternoon.I believe this is important in keeping children interested.

[kybarrels]

We have two boys, ages almost 5 and almost 6. We homeschool and are looking to start woodworking into what they are doing. (Perfect article in the last issue!) Anyhow, does anyone have any suggestions on some good projects to get them started on?


If they like to paint may I suggest painting on barnwood. Lots of fun and marketable.
If you think they are big enough for scroll sawing there is a place where you can get lots of FREE patterns.. Go to: http://scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.com/ ..
Sign up and they will email free patterns to you each week.

[backlash]

I started my son out building bird houses.
He made several and gave them to family members.
Lots of simple and free plans on line.
If they are young kids then you can do the cutting and pre drill for the nails.
AC

[CarolAnn]

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w246/carolwyborny/jpaddleboat.jpg

This is a little paddle boat I used to build a LOT of, using a coping saw and scraps of cedar shingles. I've also made them from soft pine, but cedar is nice for kids to learn on because it saws and sands smooth so easily.

The boat should be more curved than my rough sketch shows (can't use curves in Sketchup yet!) but you get the idea - the back where you cut out the paddle slot actually gives you the piece to use as a paddle. It is stuck between the sides of a heavy rubber band and then turned to twist the rubber band.

When you let it go - it paddles (for a little while!)

I've also gotten wooden puzzles for a dollar each (on sale) at Harbor Freight. They have all sorts of 3-D animals and bugs that are pre-punched into thin wood. You have to be very careful getting them out, but my great neice and nephiew enjoy sanding the edges and then putting them together. We've made dinosaurs, spiders and a motorcycle. The wood is raw - so it can be painted or colored with felt tip markers (or both) - if you wish. Each puzzle comes with directions and a bit of sandpaper - not bad for a dollar!

[clawmute]

Wreath making is a good, satisfying, simple creative project. Gather some lengths of wild muscadine grape vines or other non-toxic vines and wind them together in the size of whatever wreath you want to construct.

Pine cones, evergreen leaves etc are added to this. It leaves a child (grown or otherwise) free to use their imaginations and make something useful and pretty.