In talking with some of my woodworking friends on this subject, I learned that most were not comfortable with kids being in their shops because of safety concerns. Granted, there are extra precautions that must be taken when kids are present, but don’t let this keep you from introducing woodworking to your kids, grandchildren, or even the kids up the street. And if you’re a parent or grandparent who doesn’t have a lot of knowledge around woodworking, but your kids have an interest, don’t let fear of them getting hurt keep you from teaching them.
It is up to us as adult woodworkers to pass our knowledge down to those that show interest. If we don’t, who will? Our schools? Doubtful. Find a child to nurture and teach what you know. Don’t be afraid to let them in because they “might” get hurt. How did you learn?
Here are somethings to keep in mind when working with kids in your shop:
- Make sure all your power tools are unplugged. That way you don’t have to worry about it.
- Make sure that all the blades on your power tools are covered or lowered so they’re not exposed to little fingers.
- Stick to hand tools in the beginning no matter how old the kids are. They need this foundation anyway.
- Don’t leave your kids unsupervised in the shop no matter how comfortable you are with their knowledge, maturity level, or skill. Accidents can and will happen.
- Using hand tools like hand saws can wear kids out quickly. Watch for this, step-in and help out during these times. When kids (and adults) get tired, mistakes are more likely to occur.
- With that last point being said, however; don’t do all the work for kids just because YOU CAN! Let them do the work they can, and be willing to let them make mistakes on their own. This one is tough for us parents, trust me, I know.
- First and foremost, make it fun for them! Let them have some say into what they build. There are only so many bird houses a kid can make.
The video that we shot on shop safety for kids is not all encompassing, not even close. But, it will give you some good points to help you get started. My hope for this video is take it will make you more comfortable with having kids in your shop and for your kids to have a good and safe time with you.
If you have any questions or comments about the video after you’ve viewed it, let me know.
Enjoy!
-- Craig, www.WoodworkersResource.com (Where Information meets Inspiration)
10 comments so far
Ad Marketing Guy - Bill
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302 posts in 186 days
posted 61 days ago
FANtastic Post- Essiential reading for anyone with young children around the shop – Great Job, in production and message – By the way your kids are naturals, they stole the show.
-- Bill - - Ad-Marketing Guy, Ramsey NJ
WoodworkersResource
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31 posts in 360 days
posted 61 days ago
Thanks Bill,...I know they always say, never work with kids or animals, but I took a risk. Glad you enjoyed the video.
-- Craig, www.WoodworkersResource.com (Where Information meets Inspiration)
Ad Marketing Guy - Bill
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302 posts in 186 days
posted 61 days ago
Craig, Would not hurt for you to post in on YouTube with a link to your site——give it some nice tags – Could do wonders for your site traffic, also setup a free account at sutree.com and get the video listed.
Good Luck
-- Bill - - Ad-Marketing Guy, Ramsey NJ
WoodworkersResource
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31 posts in 360 days
posted 61 days ago
Bill, I’ve got some of my videos up on YouTube, but not many. The problem I have is the 10 min. max limit on the length of the video. Most of mine are over that. For a quite guy I have a hard time shutting my mouth when talking about woodworking. I need to just divide them up into 10 minute parts I guess.
Thanks for the suggestion on sutree.com. Never have heard of them.
-- Craig, www.WoodworkersResource.com (Where Information meets Inspiration)
joey
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234 posts in 292 days
posted 61 days ago
Great post, I taught woodworking at a summer camp in CT for 3 years and safety was my biggest concern. It took a while for me to relax enough around 10 kids and all them sharp tools to really start being able to teach, but I did and it was the best experience as a woodworker I ever had. I think I learn as much in them 3 years as I taught But safety was always # 1
-- Joey~~Sabina, Ohio http://sleepydogwoodworking.blogspot.com/
teenagewoodworker
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1678 posts in 156 days
posted 61 days ago
thanks for the video. I always use a lot of those things mentioned in the shop as you said. being a teenager i know that safety is very important. you should check out my video podcast. you can find all of them here
http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/teenagewoodworker/blog
and the teenagewoodworker ones are here
http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/teenagewoodworker/blog/series/550
so thanks again for the video. its very important to keep kids safe and teach them safe woodworking.
WoodworkersResource
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31 posts in 360 days
posted 61 days ago
Joey,
I too have had the pleasure of teaching kids for a while, and it is surprising just how much you can learn from them. I think it’s because their minds haven’t been polluted with how thing “should” work.
-- Craig, www.WoodworkersResource.com (Where Information meets Inspiration)
WoodworkersResource
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31 posts in 360 days
posted 61 days ago
Nice podcast! Keep up the good work, and good luck on that commissioned mirror project.
-- Craig, www.WoodworkersResource.com (Where Information meets Inspiration)
Eric
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492 posts in 172 days
posted 56 days ago
Craig, this was outstanding. Very informative and fun to watch – a double whammy! Oh, and the production was great as well. Superb contribution to the woodworking community.
-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com
WoodworkersResource
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31 posts in 360 days
posted 56 days ago
Eric- Thanks for your comment about our video. I appreciate it! It was fun doing it with my kids, and I hope that was conveyed in the video.
-- Craig, www.WoodworkersResource.com (Where Information meets Inspiration)