Woodworking for Kids

4kids — Wed, 23 May 2012 05:24:12 +0000

Here is a nice introductory article about woodworking for kids by Doug Stowe that appeared in Fine Wood Working Magazine. It is written with the intent of promoting the start-up of an elementary school woodworking approach, however, it covers some great concepts and issues for parents just wanting to get their own young children into their [...]

Woodworking Kid Allstar

4kids — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 04:26:06 +0000

Meet Matthew A. He is a young woodworker with some great skill who is not only having fun building things with his Dad, but is filming it to share with all of us. Matthew and Dad’s website The Newfoundland Woodworker geared toward woodworking kids. Matthew on LumberJocks Way to go Matthew and keep up the great [...]

Danger is Good for Kids

4kids — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:47:32 +0000

This is only loosely related to woodworking but includes the concept that by bubble wrapping our kids (figuratively speaking) we are restricting their intellectual and physical development. Here is a video of a presentation given by Gever Tulley, author of the book 50 Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Kids Do and founder of The Tinkering School. The video is [...]

Kid Sized WorkMate

4kids — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 05:00:12 +0000

I really like the idea behind this kid-sized workmate. Keep the workpiece clamped to keep little hands off the wood when they are sawing, screwing, drilling, chiseling or even nailing. It is when kids (or adults) use one hand to hold the workpiece that injuries happen. Unfortunately, this particular bench is built by someone with [...]

Teach 911 in the Workshop

4kids — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 19:52:55 +0000

Watching this video leaves little doubt that we should take a few moments to teach our kids how and when to call 911. This 3 yr old called 911 after his dad cut himself badly with a chisel. Here are some posters you can print out and hang in the shop to help remind them [...]

Gimlet Style Drill

4kids — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:59:26 +0000

Thanks to Sean Hellman for sharing Ian Swain’s idea for mounting a drill bit in a wooden file handle to make what is essentially a hand drill for kids. These are probably more accurately referred to as a Gimlets. They lack the power of a Hand Brace, and the rpm of the egg beater hand [...]

Vise Safety Tip

4kids — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:39:26 +0000

A vise is rarely one of those tools where we expect kids might get hurt. Typically a vise is more of a safety feature than a risk. You want kids to get in the habit of securing their workpiece in a vise rather than trying to hold it by hand. Other than a workpiece slipping [...]

Assembled woodworking kit for kids

4kids — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:38:59 +0000

Highland Woodworking has just put together a grouping of various woodworking tools for kids. This is a good quick way to get your child up and running with a set of decent tools. These are not cheap toy tools, but quality woodworking tools that just happen to work well for kids. You can find and [...]

Saws for Kids

4kids — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 21:46:02 +0000

When your child is ready to use a handsaw, safety should be the first requirement. Secure the wood with clamps, vises or kid friendly miter-box. Kids should be taught to keep both hands on the saw or one hand behind their back. That will eliminate nearly all potential sawing injuries. With that out of the [...]

Build It Together: 30 Projects for Kids and Adults

4kids — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 20:49:56 +0000

by Katie and Gene Hamilton. A good source for projects that parents and kids can build together. Available from Amazon.