Woodworking Projects for Kids to Make

Most kids and preteens today just while away their free time playing video games and watching television. While as a parent you might complain and moan about it, just take a few minutes to review how are you working to solve it. One of the best way to limit their time in front of the television and video games is to involve them in arts and crafts. Of course, you might need some time and patience in figuring out which craft your child might take an interest in. Woodworking is a great craft that you can introduce to your kids and, contrary to popular belief, it is not that hard to learn. Before you start any woodworking project, make sure that the project is a simple one that is suitable for your kid's age. Since woodworking involves the use of sharp instruments and tools, adult supervision is essential when your kids are creating their woodwork. Here we bring to you a collection of simple woodworking projects for kids.

Easy Woodworking Projects for Kids

Mini Photo Block

Things Required

• Wood molding
• Fine grit sandpaper
• Any small photograph
• Acrylic paint
• Strong glue
• Clear varnish
• Saw
• Gold glitter

Procedure

Measure the dimensions of the photograph and mark the dimensions you have taken on the wood molding. Cut the wood molding into the required dimensions with the help of a saw. Once you have the wood molding cut to your measurement, sand down the edges with a fine grit sandpaper. Clean the wood molding and apply a coat of acrylic paint in the color of your choice and allow the paint to dry. Once the paint is dry, apply clear varnish on the wood block and scatter some gold glitter powder over the wood surface. Allow varnish to dry completely. Now apply strong glue on the back of the photograph and mount it on the wooden block. Your mini photo block is ready.

Wooden Sailboat

Things Required

• 4 rectangular wooden blocks
• 1 square wooden block
• Chopsticks
• 1 cork
• 1 envelope (rectangular)
• Ruler
• Glue
• Pencil
• Fine grit sandpaper
• Acrylic paint
• Hand saw
• Hand held drill

Procedure

To make this wooden sailboat, we are going to use wooden blocks that your kids have outgrown. First glue together 4 wooden blocks side by side with strong glue. Allow the glue to dry completely. Next drill an ¼ inch hole in the center of the wooden blocks that you have just glued together. Apply a bit of glue to the hole and place the cork in it. When the cork is secure and the glue has dried, glue the chopstick to the cork.

Fold the rectangular envelope diagonally and cut it along the fold. Place the longest side of this triangle along the chopstick and glue it in place. With the help of a ruler and pencil mark the midpoint of the square wooden block. Cut this square wooden block diagonally so that you are left with two triangles. Sand the edges of these two triangular wooden blocks with a fine grit sandpaper and then glue it on both edges of the boat. Paint the boat with a coat of acrylic paint in a color of your choice. Your wooden sailboat is ready!

Wooden Bird House

Things Required

• 1 by 6 inch board, 6 foot long
• Screw driver
• Hand saw
• Hand held drill
• 1 eye screw
• Galvanized wood screws
• Hammer
• Finishing nails

Procedure

Cut the 1 by 6 inch board into three 9 inch length pieces, one 13.5 inch piece, one 7.5 inch piece and one 4 inch piece boards with the hand saw. One of the 9 inch pieces will form the front of the bird house, and the other two 9 inch pieces will form the sides. The 13.5 inch board will form the back, the 7.5 inch piece will form the roof and the 4 inch piece will form the bottom of the birdhouse.

Next drill a medium-sized hole into the front piece of the board with the hand held drill. Make sure that the hole is big enough for a small bird to enter through it. Next drill two small holes on the side pieces for ventilation. Drill 4 holes on the 4 inch piece which forms the bottom of the birdhouse for drainage. Now use wooden screws to join one of the 9 inch side piece to the 4 inch bottom piece. Next join the front and back pieces to this side and bottom pieces with galvanized wooden screws. Install the roof of the birdhouse by using finishing nails. Join the second 9 inch side piece by using two nails on the top corners so that it swings open. Finally install the eye screw on the bottom of the pivoting side of the birdhouse. Your birdhouse is ready!

These were some simple woodworking projects that can be made by kids. Use of hand saws and hand held drills should be done by the parent. But remember that it is your kid's project and not yours. Wanting to help is all fine but don't take over your kids project completely or hover around giving too many directions. Once the project is finished, display these in your home and see how pleased your child is at his handiwork.