Introducing a youngster to woodwork

[AidanC]

I would like to get my son (9) into woodwork however I have no experience. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get him started? I am also interested to learn alongside him to make the process more fun and encouraging for both of us.

Many thanks in advance

 

[Sportique]

Welcome Aiden

Sorry I can't help, but a lovely idea - good luck.

I hope you both enjoy the experience

Dave

 

[AidanC]

Dave,

Many thanks for your kind words.

Aidan

 

[Smudger]

One of the things my kids loved was to make little cut-out figures (one did a flour grader, so that dates it!) A simple drawing, cut out of thin ply or balsa, then a base made with a slit sawed in to stand it up in. Coloured or painted, looks great on their bedroom shelf. Until they discover girls... Would also work with cars etc.

My youngest at about 12 wandered into my wife's workshop and came back with a nice piece of scrollwork! If you have a scrollsaw there are lots of ideas. Usually the child's name - perhaps a name plate for their bedroom?

Or - my latest project - how about making a toy for a younger child? The Hobbies Duck Train looks easy enough (even for me) and would go down well with a toddle.

 

[Chems]

I'd avoid power tools for a start. You could do lots with hand planes etc. Chris Schwartz often talks about his daughter helping him out in the workshop doing planing and things. A drill driver would be ok.

 

[Smudger]

Agree with that.

 

[chingerspy]

Nice. When I learnt with my grandad when I was young and before life got in the way we built stuff for the garden animals. Bird houses, feeders, food/water tables, etc... we could then hopefully watch the birds and other animals use them. Birdhouses are great to do with kids, I plan on making one with my friends son when he is a little older.

 

[big soft moose]

if you look on the "teaching woodwork to kids thread" I put a whole load of links to simple projects (including bird boxes)

 

[Smudger]

That's a great idea Chingers - I commented on the Teaching Woodwork thread that I had seen bird houses made (and sold) at Richmond College by their special needs kids, so should be about right for a 9-year old. And there is so much that comes with it, in terms of feeding birds, observing and so on.
I'm always amazed at how little kids actually see of the wildlife around them, until you show them. Our 16-month GD now likes to look out to see birds, foxes, squirrels etc., though the only word she associates with them is 'quack'...
As soon as she's able she's getting the job of refilling the feeders, too.

 

[Chems]

Does he like Lego? You could make a lego table.

 

[chingerspy]

I agree Smudger, the kid in question started fishing with me and his dad not long ago and it's amazing how much he has picked up. He even wanted a telescope for xmas to watch out for animals. He is 7 so a little young in my opinion to hold any bladed tools. For now he can sit on my Honda monkey bike and watch if he wants to

 

[Smudger]

Does he like Lego? You could make a lego table.

What a brilliant idea! GD has just started with Lego (big stuff). Would also work as a simple board to rest on the floor/table?

 

[kasandrich]

Aiden, hi welcome, I loved woodwork when I was a kid, but I had no one to help and encourage me.

I remember seeing a stool similar to

when I was a kid and thinking "I could make one of those" I cycled to the wood yard, bought some 2x2 for the legs and rails, and I figured I could use dowels for all the joints, and string for the seat.

I carefully cut all the legs and rails, then cut the dowel to short lengths, and carefully drilled the holes in the legs and ends of rails, but I was working on the floor holding the work still with my hands and feet. The dowel holes ended up at all sorts of angles, and it was not possible to assemble it, I was GUTTED! If I had access to a suitable workbench, a vice, (a b&d workmate would do the trick) a square, and some support and guidance, that stool may have made it to fruition!

Where abouts are you? somebody may be in your area and able to help.

I think a sensible 9 or 10 year old could help with pen making, if carefully supervised, enough to feel a sense of achievement.

 

[wizer]

Whatever you do, don't show him this forum :shock: :lol:

Well done for encouraging him to get interested in making things. It's the right age to plant the seeds that could change his life and chose his career path. Keep us updated with his progress, pics of the work preferable

 

[Chems]

Does he like Lego? You could make a lego table.

What a brilliant idea! GD has just started with Lego (big stuff). Would also work as a simple board to rest on the floor/table?

Ah fanks, no one ever likes my ideas. I'm sure it would work as a big board on the floor just as well. Or even better with legs that fold in for storage. Can't wait till I have kids so I can get back to lego again. Doesn't matter if the kid doesn't like it, I just need the kid for the excuse

 

[Smudger]

No you don't! Just go for it.

 

[Chems]

Not to derail but I did buy a few pieces a year back, the big super car and a lego AT-ST. I just dont have space for anymore

 

[Mr T]

If you could do the lego table in different colored squares it would be a lego chess table!

Chris

 

[Smudger]

And then make Lego chess sets! (Might be a job for Dad).

 

[AidanC]

Aiden, hi welcome, I loved woodwork when I was a kid, but I had no one to help and encourage me.

I remember seeing a stool similar to

when I was a kid and thinking "I could make one of those" I cycled to the wood yard, bought some 2x2 for the legs and rails, and I figured I could use dowels for all the joints, and string for the seat.

I carefully cut all the legs and rails, then cut the dowel to short lengths, and carefully drilled the holes in the legs and ends of rails, but I was working on the floor holding the work still with my hands and feet. The dowel holes ended up at all sorts of angles, and it was not possible to assemble it, I was GUTTED! If I had access to a suitable workbench, a vice, (a b&d workmate would do the trick) a square, and some support and guidance, that stool may have made it to fruition!

Where abouts are you? somebody may be in your area and able to help.

I think a sensible 9 or 10 year old could help with pen making, if carefully supervised, enough to feel a sense of achievement.

Kasandrich

Great story and reminds me of my efforts. As I am totally ignorant in this field any chance you could expand on pen making?

Have tried someone in Saffron Walden but they were more concerned about Health and Safety and Insurance rather than teaching a 9 year old - a case of cold feet I suspect

Aidan