In short, I am busy: Maker Workshop: Woodworking

• Program Goals
• Teach kids new skills
• Offer the opportunity for hands-on learning
• Encourage kids to try out different activities and skills

I ended up making this a maker kit for people to take home. I'm willing to revisit it in the future, but the lack of sturdy tables for hammering is a huge problem.

Supplies

• 6x6 squares of wood
• Sandpaper
• Nails, hammers
• 2 cordless drills, screws, hammers
• Wood burning set (extension cord)
• Safety glasses
• Pencils, paper
• acrylic paint, brushes, aprons, paper plates

Resources and Display Titles

• woodworking books

Promo:
Kids and teens will have the opportunity to create with wood, including using a wood burning tool, and learn some basic carpentry skills along the way. Registration is required and space is limited, so if you are unable to attend please let the library know. Kids and teens are welcome; you must have the following skills to attend:

Required skills:

• Ability to work independently and wait patiently for assistance when needed.
• Can safely use carpentry implements with minimal supervision (sandpaper, hammer, nails)
• Can safely use a hot glue gun, cordless drill, and wood burning tool

Introduction

• Tools not toys
• Plan before you drill, hammer, or burn!
• Use safety glasses when drilling

Notes:

This was in two spots. All of the materials except the tools were organized in the Storyroom. Kids picked out their materials, made a plan, and sanded their wood.

Drilling, hammering, and burning was supposed to happen outdoors, on at least one workbench, but it rained and I didn't get a workbench. We used tables in the Community Room.

Then they brought their items back to the Storyroom to paint.

Evaluation

• 6-21-18
• Attendance: 25
• Notes: This one still needs work. Some improvements - 1" wood, not plywood. We had Lowe's cut it up for us. I got about $15 worth. I also had a lot of scraps and some pieces from last year. I added drills.
• What still needs work: I could have used more wood and/or a way to cut what I had. I also really needed more tools - more hammers, more drills (both kept dying and had to be recharged) and we killed several drill bits. I also need a REAL workbench that can be HAMMERED on. Everything I have is too flimsy and shakes when you bang on it. The burning tool was mostly a fail. It took far too long for the kids' patience and a tip broke in half, making it unusable. A more expensive one might do a better job. More options/lengths of screws and nails too.
• 7-1-16
• Attendance: 14
• Notes: We did bird houses - 5x5 pieces, one with a hole in it. This had the most sign-ups and enthusiasm. Next time I'd have small hammers, different nails, and a workbench instead of sitting on the ground outside.