Woodworking with children

ByPaul Sellers

Had a cracking time in the woodshop at Penrhyn Castle today. Why? Well, Eleanor, my daughter, came to visit with six of my grandchildren and after kicking ball around for a while to let off steam after the drive we spent an hour making spatulas – 8 in all including my own. The age range of my grandchildren is 3 ½ to 14 years.

Here is my youngest grandson Alfie using his first spokeshave to shape his spatula.

 

 

 

 

Now Jack needed a little help from his Granddad…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

… and his Mum

Practicing what we preach is a must. I’m thankful for all those times, those pockets of opportunity, which have enriched my life through the past 20 years. Here are pictures at the different benches in the workshop today.

While I have your attention. Thanks to those of you who sent me pictures of your children working with you in your home workshops. They are just lovely.

 

Eve has a ‘boring’ job…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…and this is Max boring his hole with the brace and bit.

I will be releasing parts of my book series on

woodworking with children over the next few weeks to help you start working towards this goal. Meanwhile, this will hopefully inspire you.

2 Comments

  1. Good to see. Our kids started using sharp tools as soon as they could stand on a stool in the kitchen. First chopping banana with a tableknife for fruit salad, once the technique was good they were given a sharp knife for cucumber apple etc. By 4 they were working wood. At 6 and 9 we toured the frosts knife factory at Mora in Sweden and the owners gave them a knife each of their own. Wille Sundqvist was with us and gave them lessons in carving the famous Darlana horses. As teenagers they don’t carve so much at the moment but this work helps development in so many ways and always stays with you.

  2. Just found this one Paul how wonderful to see your grandchildren hard at it….keep trying to get my 14 year old into my workshop…..although he has CDT craft ..design ..and technology!! At school he will only come out if I let him squash potatoes in my vice…….what am I doing wrong

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