Sawdust News February 2022
5 Woodworking Projects Every Child Should Build
Granting children access to hands-on activities is one of the most constructive ways to engage and empower students. Woodworking in particular provides a safe and enthusiastic environment where students can test their ingenuity with hand tools and build confidence in their capabilities at a young age. Woodworking naturally offers the opportunity for students to develop their communication and problem solving skills while building 3D works of art.
Here are 5 great projects for kids ages 7-15 to build. Each project takes between 2 to 3 hours to complete, and gives children the opportunity to practice life skills by building creative and household items.
1. Keepsake Box
What student wouldn’t want to build something they could use every day? The keepsake box is a simple project that allows young woodworkers to create a box of their own to store belongings, gift as a present, or even share with their class. This project not only serves as an easy and safe starter project for any student interested in woodworking, it is one that can constantly be improved upon and refined over the years.
2. Footstool
Much like the keepsake box, the footstool is a pragmatic household project. The footstool shows students that their creations have real-world applications and are appreciated by family members and friends. As straightforward as a footstool may be, it's a convenient piece of furniture that is exciting for a young woodworker.
3. Towel Rack
The towel rack is another great project for any student interested in independently tackling a woodworking project, and we even recommend it for students as young as 2nd grade. This project allows students to reap the benefits of their hard work and understand that the projects they build are useful in everyday life.
4. Sailboat
Not every valuable woodworking project that children are capable of creating is limited in use to their homes or classrooms. Building a sailboat, for example, empowers students to test their crafts against the forces of nature. Building a sailboat encourages children to expand upon their own creativity while allowing them to use their imagination to create something they can proudly display.
5. Cutout Car
The cutout car is an enjoyable and creative project that, like the sailboat, provides a fun reward and long lasting memories. While the cutout car starts off basic, students will gradually familiarize themselves with woodworking tools and processes and will eventually advance to more detailed, 3D projects.
This list provides a brief glimpse into the Maplewoodshop woodworking projects students can build as they develop essential life skills. There are a vast number of potential creations they can work with to start off, and endless possibilities once their woodworking journeys have begun. At Maplewoodshop, we provide safe and portable woodworking endeavors that inspire students to expand their knowledge and life skills.
Learn more about how our projects can provide your students with tangible, equitable opportunities and achievements.