School is hardly out and already the youthful complaint grows louder by the minute: “There’s nothing to do.”
But rather than allow children to wallow in front of video games or TV, why not revert to old-fashioned fun and engage their imaginations to make something with their hands.
Even if kids convert scraps of wood into who-knows-what, how to handle materials and modest tools are a lesson learned. Excited cries of “Look what I made!” are always preferable to uninspired pleas of “I’m bored.”
Not that elementary-age children should wield circular saws, drill presses or soldering irons unsupervised, but some simple, inexpensive equipment along with some parental rules can introduce children to the wonderful world of tools and how-to. Plus, many tools such as palm size drill drivers are downsized for smaller hands and cost as little as $20.
Cordless tools with rechargeable batteries are best. (Here’s a bonus: Guess who gets the tools after kids have moved on to other projects.) Scarcely a single garage doesn’t have some scrap wood. Or, lumber yards and home centers may be willing to part with leftovers from jobs cut for other customers.
Whatever tools you allow children to use, take some time for in-home show-and-tell time. Talk about how to handle tools safely.
If you are cutting or trimming wood to specific measurements, use the opportunity to teach how tools work and why equipment is to be respected.
Mike Farrah of the home improvement outlet Home Depot says his firm offers workshops for kids at no charge and that while picking up skills is a good thing, so is acquiring self-confidence that comes with handling tools.
To help children plot their project, the drawing feature of word processing programs allows creators to put basic ideas on paper. Otherwise, blue pencils or crayons and white paper are great for creating mock “blueprints.”
Possible projects are any sort of building structure, boxes for spare change, a coat rack for the garage – and storage for video games, DVDs and CDs. That’s not to mention cars, rockets or anything else little minds can conjure up.
In this day and age of super-
structured play time, it’s OK to let children freewheel with scraps. Still, it’s a good idea for adults to start pilot holes for screws or small nails. If you’re concerned with the ability of very young children to handle basic hand tools, a small bottle of fast-drying wood glue and simple clamps or rubber bands can hold creations together.
No project is finished until it’s properly painted. Some fast-drying acrylic or latex paint lets kids layer on the color. But keep solvents or oil-based paints away from young artisans.
Aside from drill drivers, hand tools should include a ratchet for young arms and hands to apply torque to hex-head screws or small bolts, a small hammer, sandpaper, and an assortment of fasteners.
Projects are a good way for children to learn cleanup and tool-care habits. Keep a shop vacuum or broom and dustpan close at hand. When the job is finished, children should put tools back in the right spot.
Youthful tool list
Small cordless drill drivers and bits
Ratchet-action screwdrivers
A ratchet set to torque in hex-head screws
Spring-loaded or C-clamps
Inexpensive 1-inch paint brushes
Tape measure
Small cans of colorful nontoxic latex paints
T-squares and rulers
Phillips screwdriver
Assortment of Phillips and hex screws and nails
Small hammer
Sandpaper
