4Real Forums: Woodworking for boys

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Topic: Woodworking for boys

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Maria B.
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Joined: Jan 16 2006
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Posted: Jan 01 2008 at 1:06pm \| IP Logged

Does anyone know of a source for purchasing some wood craft kits for boys (10-12)? I am interested in real projects that require hammering and nails ... not just gluing!

Thanks!

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Maria in VA
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SallyT
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Posted: Jan 02 2008 at 11:21pm \| IP Logged

Maria --

I don't know offhand of any kit sources -- my brother is a woodworker, so he is our source -- but you might start by just gathering some tools (hammer, nails, sandpaper, pocketknives for whittling, etc) and some scrap wood, for practice and self-generated projects. My brother got his start in woodworking by making footstools and other simple objects out of scrap wood: his early projects looked like glorified tree stumps, because that's what they were. Now he makes Shaker furniture held together by hand-whittled wood pegs. But his original inspiration was the wood itself, and what its shape suggested to him. He still makes beautiful bowls whittled out of large sections of tree trunks, cured and oiled.

He has encouraged my 10yo son in whittling, and also in using a small hatchet to shape a piece of wood. But that's definitely something to do in an apprentice-type situation! I wouldn't just turn my kids loose with hatchets! But I do let them pound with hammers and nails on wood they find -- we're always finding scrap lumber that people put out on the curb in our neighborhood, and they do build some interesting contraptions . . .

Here's a link to my brother's site, Lower Mississippi Woodworks. He does write a bit about his methods -- don't know how much is applicable to 10-12yo boys, but it might be of interest, if they are interested in woodworking!

So, um, a more holistic kind of answer than you were probably looking for, but there you go!

Sally

PS I think American Boy's Handy Book outlines some basic woodworking projects, like birdhouses and boats, if I recall correctly. My 10yo adores that book.

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guitarnan
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Posted: Jan 03 2008 at 6:50am \| IP Logged

Birdhouses are a great first or second project. If you Google "bluebird nesting boxes" you can find some simple plans.

You might also take a trip to the library to look for simple project plans in books and magazines. Try some regional magazines, too, not just woodworking publications.

My son (15) loves woodworking, too. He spent a week with my parents learning from my dad last summer.

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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.

lapazfarm
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Posted: Jan 03 2008 at 8:42am \| IP Logged

Plans for simple projects are pretty easy to find online. Just google something like "simple birdhouse plans" and you'll come up with a lot, some for purchase, some for free.

One tip, if you don't want kids using power tools to cut the wood to the right size: buy the lumber at Lowes and they will make a few simple cuts for free. I think Home depot has this same service.For example, if you need a 2x4 cut into two-foot long sections, or whatever.

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Theresa
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MaryM
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Posted: Jan 03 2008 at 11:29pm \| IP Logged

You can also have the children attend the Kids Workshop sessions at your local Home Depot. They are offered the 1st Saturday of each month. The kids can build a project there from kits and they are free. It's a great program.

Also:
My First Project kits from Woodcraft

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Mary M. in Denver

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lapazfarm
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Joined: July 21 2005
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Posted: Jan 07 2008 at 8:32pm \| IP Logged

MaryM wrote:

My First Project kits from Woodcraft

Those look great! I think I'll get one of those for my JBug!

I just posted about my 12yo's woodworking projects and it reminded me of this thread. Check it out if you like:Doing something constructive

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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning

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