Simple project ideas

[jgrobler]

I have volunteered with a friend to start a WW class at a local non-profit for kids. They want me to do a few single session, 90 minutes each projects, to test the waters, and I can use some help for ideas. I can make up plans, just need ideas.

So far I was thinking of a wooden salad spoon, a simple bookshelf, bird nest, toy car, toy boat.

Their main tool (recently donated, hence the interest) is a Woodsmith Mark 5 (all-in-one table saw, lathe, drill press), with the band saw, jointer and scroll saw attachments. Also have a 8 1/4" Ryobi miter saw. There's no workbench, so I'll set up a simple 2x4 frame with plywood top to start, and not a lot more hand tools. (I have not checked inventory, but don't expect much)

I'll appreciate all your ideas.

Johan

[Warren]

What ages will you be dealing with? I'd suggest kits to begin with. I'd see if the local Ace, or whomever, would be willing to donate some. Bird houses and the like usually require some hammers and nails, no power tools and a little paint. This way you can kind of ease into it and check out the kid's capabilities ease them into the skills necessary for more complicated projects.

[LCHIEN]

depends on the age of the kids.
Generally you need to keep it simple so everyone can get in 5-minutes work on the machines, one at a time, with supervision, while the others work at manual tasks - gluing, sanding, finishing, detail painting, assembly with supervision by a second adult.
for cubscouts in the ~5th- grade we did the following 4-5 projects:
peg game (like the ones at Cracker Barrel restaurant, a triangle with 15 Drill-press drilled holes using golf tees for pegs), a xmas hotplate (frame of 1x2 45° mitered corners and routed rabbet to mount a ceramic tile on which we screen painted a holiday image),
pine box derby car stand, and a cactus stand keyholder (a two-armed cactus silhouette abour 6" high in 1/4" plywood with a 1x2 slotted stand and some cup hooks and green paint)

Also bird houses and bird feeders are popular, you may have to precut the pieces.

In general I'd say the safest power tools for kids of that age are drill press, sander, scroll or bandsaw. I'd avoid projects with table saw and or router (or pre make the cuts). A miter saw, well, maybe let them make one cut carefully supervised...

remember to emphasize safety verbally and then observe it religiously (safety glasses and ear protection, and avoid loose clothes, at least)

[Tom Miller]

For starters, you might want to ask if the organization has insurance to cover accidents, either to you or the kids, involving WW equipment.

Then, if I were you, I'd put a fair amount of thought into presenting safe use of the equipment you plan to use.

OK, enough wet blanket.

One thing that can really make kid's eyes pop out (uhhh, in the good way ) is cutting circles on the bandsaw with a simple circle cutting jig. It can be done relatively safely, too, since the kids can turn the piece on the far side of the pivot pin by pulling towards themselves. There are a few projects that could be based on cutting circles....

Regards,
Tom

[ejs1097]

I did birdhouses for kids 3-5 this past spring. The house had a porch roof with posts and a chimney to boot. the sides were rabbited and pre-drilled for easy kid assembly. I shipped a few to nephews as well and have very detailed assembly instructions if you're intrested.

The 3yos could make the house but the older 5 yo had a blast and is still asking when he can come back, 7 monthes later.

[jgrobler]

Hey, Thanks for the comments and ideas guys. We don't know how old the kids will be. I'm expecting around club scout age, although apparently there has been interest from older kids as well.

Thanks also for the wet blanket Tom. It's always better to say it, rather than assume someone thought of it.