Woodworking with Children: Craft Ideas for the Kids' Workbench

In an older blog post, we explained how a kids’ workbench can support children’s development. Today, we have prepared 3 do-it-yourself tips for simple woodworking projects with kids. You can choose from the following creative step-by-step instructions for children:

1. Wooden Pencil Holder
2. Build a Wooden Puzzle Yourself
3. Craft a Decorative Heart with Wood, Nails, and String

Now it can begin: a place to work has been found and the tools are ready. Little craftsmen are practically ready to swing the hammer. But especially when it comes to working with tools, kids need a helping hand from mom and dad. Because what should you do now with hammer, nail & saw? And for safety reasons, it’s important that an adult always supervises and assists during woodworking with children.

DIY Pencil Holder: Instructions for Little Craftsmen

The kids’ workbench is brand new and your child wants to take their first steps as a young craftsman? Then we recommend starting with simple woodworking projects for kids. Our first idea: a pretty pencil holder for the desk. It’s super easy to make and always makes the little ones proud when they sit down to do their homework. Here’s everything you need:

• Wooden block, approx. 10 x 10 cm
• Hand drill
• Sandpaper
• Pencil
• Decoration of your choice (photos, glue, varnish)

Here’s how: 

Step 1: Set the Grid

First, you should mark an even grid on the wooden block for the drill holes that will later serve as pencil holders. We recommend using vertical and horizontal lines spaced one centimeter apart. It’s best to mark various intersection points with a pencil. Then, place the wood drill bit at these points. 

Step 2: Find the Right Drill & Get Started 

Depending on which pencils will be stored in the pencil holder, the holes need to be different sizes. The drill bit should always be about one millimeter thicker than the respective pencil or brush. To check, place the drill bit on the end of the pencil, brush, or pen – this way your child can test which drill bit is the right one.

Once the right drill size is found, you can start drilling. We recommend drilling three to four centimeters deep. This way, you ensure that the pencils will stand firmly later. 

Step 3: The Finish for the Pencil Holder 

Now the little junior craftsmen are called upon again for the finish. With sandpaper, your child can carefully sand all edges, surfaces, and corners.

Finally, all that’s missing is the personal touch. Your child can either paint the pencil holder nicely or stick on individual photos with family or friends as they like. For this, you just need some wood glue. Voilà: The handmade little gem for the desk is ready. 

Instructions for Building a Wooden Puzzle Yourself – Woodworking with Children

Making toys yourself? No problem with your own children's workbench! Our idea: How about a little wooden puzzle with great shapes like rectangles, triangles & co.? These can then be brightly painted and create a great visual highlight in the children's room. For this, you need:

• 2 x wooden strips sized 28 x 2 x 2 cm
• 2 x wooden strips sized 14 x 2 x 2 cm 
• 1 x plywood board sized 18 x 28 cm (8mm thick)
• Wooden strips in sizes: 6 x 2 cm, 4 x 2 cm, 2 x 2 cm 
• Hammer, saw, nails, sandpaper, pencil 
• Paint, brush 

Here’s how: 

Step 1: Building the Frame 

In the first step, you need a plywood board and the respective wooden strips in sizes 28 x 2 x 2 cm and 14 x 2 x 2 cm. Whether you want to cut these yourself or get them already sized is up to you. In the first step, you should sand the strips. The little ones can do this by hand with some sandpaper.

In the next step, the wooden strips are nailed from below onto the plywood board. Now the little junior craftsmen can get involved. But be careful: safety is the top priority when woodworking with children. Support the little ones at first, as this requires a delicate touch. 

Step 2: Making the Puzzle Pieces

Now you should take the wooden strips in sizes 6 x 2 cm, 4 x 2 cm, and 2 x 2 cm. From these, you can saw various puzzle pieces. From cuboids to triangles to cubes – feel free to get creative. The more geometric shapes, the better! This also positively affects motor skills later on. First, draw the respective shape with a pencil. Then saw the puzzle piece from the wooden strip and sand it again afterward.

Step 3: Decorating & Painting 

Woodworking with children wouldn't be complete without the necessary creative finishing touch. The finished, sanded puzzle pieces can now be painted and decorated as desired. Whether they end up solid-colored or with fun motifs is entirely up to the little ones. After crafting, playtime can begin as children try to fit the puzzle pieces into the frame. 

Instructions: Heart thread picture for the children's room

What is still missing in our series "Woodworking with children" is a pretty decoration for the children's room. Our DIY inspiration: a thread picture! Here the little ones can prove their motor skills while hammering. What you need for this:

• Plywood board
• About 30 nails (2.0 x 23 mm)
• String of your choice 
• Hammer, scissors, pencil
• Heart template of your choice 
• Masking tape

Here’s how:

Step 1: Select and stick the template

In the first step, you should first choose a heart template of your choice and stick it onto the plywood board. Masking tape can help you with this. 

Step 2: Now hammering begins 

Now you can start hammering! This will surely be a lot of fun for the little ones, and working with children can also promote motor skills. Simply place a nail evenly spaced along the heart template and hammer it in firmly.

Step 3: Tension the thread 

Once all nails are firmly in place, the template can be removed. Then the picture can basically be filled. For this, take a piece of string of your choice. Ideally, it should be 5 meters long. Then choose the nail at the bottom and tie the string there with a knot. After that, the crazy wrapping and crossing can begin until the picture gradually takes shape. Wrap the string once around the nail before pulling it to the next nail. When you are done, tie a firm knot at the last nail again. Voila: the decoration for the children's room is ready. 

Workbench for children: what should be considered? 

Have our ideas for creative woodworking with children inspired you? Then we wish you lots of fun trying it out.

When purchasing a workbench, we recommend considering a few points. The following factors should be met in terms of quality:

1. Robust construction (preferably made of wood)
2. Age-appropriate height and size depending on the child 
3. Child-friendly tools / easy handling
4. Sufficient accessories 

Feel free to also visit our howa online shop under the Wood Toys - Children's Workbench tab. There you will find various children's workbenches and accessories for young craftsmen.

Image rights: © iStock / shironosov, © iStock / LiuNian, © iStock / Odem1970