One of the most important things we can do as woodworkers is pass our love for the craft on to someone else. And our kids and grandkids are naturally drawn to the friendly sounds of the hand-tool woodshop. What better opportunity to make a lifelong maker than to build a project together?
Author and educator Doug Stowe has spent decades teaching children and adults the love of woodworking. Utilizing his experience, enthusiasm, and the valuable principles of Educational Sloyd, he has put together a wonderful guide for getting our kids working in the shop. The Guide to Woodworking with Kids is a practical book full of bright photography and project ideas that are sure to inspire. From the basics of tool usage – hammer grips for the littlest kids, proper shop safety – to kid-sized workbenches and toolboxes, Stowe helps us get ready to get creative. And the projects he describes are full of fun, from simple tops to toy trains, wooden animals, sliding-top boxes, and more. If you’ve been unsure about how to direct a child’s imagination in the shop, this book will give you the confidence to begin.
We at M&T love having our kids in the shop, and teaching them to work with their hands and do precise tasks with simple tools is extraordinarily valuable for their development and self-confidence. They can become lifelong makers who won’t flinch at a project or challenge because they know they have the skill to take it on. The Guide to Woodworking with Kids seeks to develop these kinds of skills in young makers, and will generate many lasting memories for old and young alike.
8"x10". Softcover. Published by Blue Hills Press, Whites Creek, TN. 2020. 144 pages.
