Project for a child to get involved in

[tony]

My 7 year old grandson is keen as mustard to make something out of wood

, it doesnt matter what, he just wants to make something with my help. I have a bandsaw , lathe, pillar drill & access to a scroll saw + pyrography gear, any suggestions welcome

 

[SVB]

My daughter is 5 and also loves being in the workshop. The projects we have done so far include - turning a dibber for the garden to help plant bulbs. Turning egg cup + heavy pyrography (more smoke the better over style!), turning a pendent for necklace and her fav item is just to have me cut a lump of softwood into random shapes and then together hot melt it together into what-ever her imagination decides (then airbrush and pyro again!).

Other projects I have in mind include a turned whistle, 'idiot stick puzzle', spinning tops, yo-yo. I have also thought about all sorts of vehicles - flat-bed truck + loads, tank etc. Room name plaque may be an option with pyro (I plan to use the PC to design the logo and transfer it with cellulose thinner as a guide).

I tried to do mini projects (pencil box for school) but she is too young at this stage - your 7 yr old may have a longer attention span. They only advice I have it to nuture the enthusiasm at this stage. Their imagination seems to overcome all sorts of woodwork short commings that you and I would spend more time to get right. My view is that if they are still keen, attention to detail can come later. The other thing I have done is to pre-cut some of the stuff, for example I have already cut with a tank cutter a small box of circles so we have a stock of 'wheels' for projects - keeps the momuntum going and therefore interest up.

Spaceship in final paint and detailing!:

Best of luck and have fun!

Simon

 

[skeetoids]

Hi,

My Son is 6 and when he joins me in the workshop I allow him to create whatever he wants (with suervision of course). The pieces are generally open to interpretation but so far he has made a shark, a mobile phone, a monster, a spaceship and a gun.

Cheers,

Lee.

 

[PsyMan]

I think you have to allow imagination be the designer and simply do the dangerous stuff yourself. I have a 5 and 7 year old and I make planes, wands, tanks, oojimaflips (generally offcuts hot melted together) and stuff you can only find in a childs mind. oh and ramps.

I am however seriously considering investing in some small but real basic tools and pre-cutting some softwood, then teaching my 5 year old the same as I was taught at school. bit young for the lathe though, maybe when he's 6 eh. It is nice to have them interested in using their hands at that age, especially if it keeps them off of the wii etc.

 

[SVB]

Simon,

I have let our 5 year old have a go on the lathe - I made a 'hop-up' from decking off-cuts (scrap wood so I can cut a couple of inches off the legs each year!). I stand behind her and we both control the tool. The Axminster (and I am sure others) full face mask (approx £7) will adjust small enough for a childs head. She does the sanding herself and holds one end of the wire scorching wire as everything ends up with loads of burnt rings on.

For her birthday in April we got her a 'power workshop' - battery powered and balsa only but it has a lathe, sanding disc, small jigsaw, pillar drill all in one unit together with a number of project packs. Not tried anything yet but will post a review here when we do.

As always though depends of the child - my niece is nearly 8 and is too nervous to have a go so no point forcing her.

BRgds

Simon

 

[tony]

Many thanks for all replies so far, its given me plenty to think about. Hes a cricket fan & he mentioned about making a bat, bails , wickets & ball !

 

[PsyMan]

have fun with the ball, I have been looking at home made ball / sphere turning jigs lately after being asked by avid skittle players if I could make them (far too early in my woodturning career to try yet but doesnt stop you researching it)

Beech skittles yes but Lignum Vitae balls, maybe left to the experts