Simple and Easy Woodworking Projects for Kids

Children are brimming with energy and are always on the lookout of finding something interesting to do. Art and craft activities are great ways to put their energies to use, as it not only helps increase their creativity, but also improves the dexterity with which they can use their fingers. Simple and easy woodworking projects are great ways to occupy kids, however, these projects are dangerous and need adult supervision and assistance. The tools used like hammers and nails can injure children, which is why they must not be allowed to work without adult supervision.

Simple and Easy Woodworking Projects for Kids

Here are some simple woodworking projects that you can undertake with your children or at a school that you teach.

Snowmen Fence

Since kids below the age of seven cannot handle any kind of woodworking projects, we have come up with this simple project for the little ones. This is a popsicle stick craft that does not require the use of any dangerous tools and small children will love this activity, especially during Christmastime.

Requirements

• Popsicle sticks (about 6 inches long and ¾ inch wide) - 6
• Paint stir sticks - 5
• White craft paint
• Rub-on snowmen faces
• Felt buttons and yarn to make outfits
• Glue
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Wire or string

Directions

• The paint stir sticks have to be painted white in color. More than one coat may be necessary. You can use a paintbrush to paint the sticks. Let the sticks dry completely.
• Similarly, Popsicle sticks have to be painted white in color. More than one coat may be necessary. Let the sticks dry completely.
• Rub the snowmen faces on the paint sticks as per the directions provided on the package. You can also paint the faces using markers or craft paint.
• Now make scarves for each snowman and glue it in place around the 'neck' of the paint stick. Get as creative as you can with shawls, scarves and braids.
• Make small hats and glue them to the 'head' of the snowmen. You can even use a pom-pom for a funny look.
• Glue on the buttons for their hands.
• Apply glue on the back of the painted snowmen and stick them to the Popsicle sticks to make a fence. The bottom popsicle stick is about three inches from the bottom of the snowman while the upper stick is about three and half inches above the bottom popsicle stick. You can use a scale to mark the positions where the paint stick will be glued to the Popsicle in an effort to ensure that your fence is straight.
• You can also use wood glue to strengthen the joins.
• Tie some wire or strings at the end of the fences to hang it in a room.

Pumpkin Heads

This is a very interesting piece of craft and is especially useful, if you have odd pieces of wood in your house. The kids will love these customized pumpkins heads during the Halloween.

Requirements

• Wooden blocks of any shape
• Sanding foam block
• Craft paint - orange, black and white
• Paintbrush
• Ribbon
• Nail
• Hammer

Directions

• A block of wood is required. If you do not have any lying around in your backyard, you could probably ask the building supply store for a scrap end.
• Sand the block of wood thoroughly and remove the sharp ends or the splinters. Dust off with a damp piece of cloth.
• Paint the block of wood in orange color and let it dry. Paint on the facial details and let the same dry too.
• Hammer in a nail and leave the head of the nail about half an inch above the wooden surface.
• Tie a piece of ribbon and a strong string around the nail.
• The wooden pumpkin heads are ready and can be hung near the fireplace or can be placed by a window.

Key Chain Holder
This activity is meant for children eight years and above, nevertheless, they too require adult supervision and assistance.

Requirements

• A rectangular wooden piece (any shape will do)
• Nails
• Craft paints
• Sanding Foam
• Paintbrush
• Plaster of Paris (one pound)
• Fevicol or any other thick adhesive
• Cling film
• Hammer

Directions

• Take the rectangular piece of wood and after having sanding it thoroughly to ensure all the splinters are taken care of, wipe it with a moist cloth.
• The next step is to take the craft paint and paint the piece of wood. You may require two to three coats, to give a good finish.
• While the wooden piece is drying, take the plaster of Paris in a bowl and add Fevicol to it. Using a spoon mix the plaster of Paris and add enough Fevicol till a rough dough-like consistency is formed. Don't expect the dough to be smooth, because you are not using your hands.
• It is important to note that you are not allowed to touch the plaster of Paris mixture with your hands, because the heat from your hands will harden the mixture. So carefully spoon the mixture into the cling film and seal it. Let it rest for ten minutes.
• Next dollop a little mixture onto a smooth working platform and seal the rest of the mixture again. You can now work with the little dough on the platform. Using your hands, smoothen the dough and shape the dough into little flowers, etc. as quickly as you can. Work quickly, as the dough will harden quickly.
• Make any design, shapes, alphabets, etc. according to your liking and set is aside to dry.
• Once it's dry, paint the little flowers you have made.
• Take the wooden piece and mark equidistant points to hammer the nails to hold the keys. Hammer the nails one by one into the marked spots. Paint the nails as well.
• Then stick the little plaster of Paris flowers that you have made onto the wooden block. Decorate it any way you like. You can even paint a few designs using the paintbrush. Allow the whole piece to dry.
• Hammer two nails behind the wooden block as well and tie a strong string or metal chain between them, to hold them on the wall. The string can be put across any nail on the wall, thereby holding the key chain holder on the wall. Your key chain holder is ready!

Woodworking projects for kids are really fun projects to carry out during the vacations. Moreover, these activities excite children. You can even have them gift wrap these lovely homemade crafts and present it to their dear ones. Have fun!