Woodshop for Kids: 52 Woodworking Projects Kids can Build

I bought this to be a fathers day gift for my husband to do with his young son.... HOWEVER, its a bit of a disappointment. I am pretty sure I will need to return it once the gift is opened.First, the book is very wordy and I am not sure my hubby is going to read all that.Second, the projects require old fashioned tools we just do not own. I understand that old fashioned tools are safer to use with kids and gives them time to visually appreciate the process.... but we just do not have those tools and no one sells them. I cannot forge them either.Third, the projects feel too simple (one hold in a piece of wood) or dated (using a vinyl record), or not woodworking necessary (a pin hole camera or tornado in a bottle), and not safe like stilts.I did not even like the formatting. I twas hard for me to separate each project out ... so I think its really 52 complete academic lessons. This is NOT 52 projects that you can just flip through the book and pick on to do. It almost seems like you kinda have to go in order.Overall, this book not exactly what I imagined.. I wanted something usable and practical like building a bird feeder, a bird nest box, a bed frame, etc. I was very pleased to see a climbing bear though as i love those little toys. Plus, what are you supposed to do after the projects? You didn't need them and don't have room to store them, but your child is not going to want you to toss them or burn them in the fireplace or anything.For full disclosure, I don't do woodworking, my husband does. If gift this book to him and he does not like it, then my review will stand.

I recently purchased this book for my husband, my eight-year-old son and me. My son loves to build, but neither my husband nor I are particularly handy. This is exactly what we needed. It goes into enough detail step-by-step to help us know how to approach woodworking projects without getting overwhelmed. I really appreciate the careful descriptions of tools that will be safe and useful. Without sounding condescending, Mr. McKee begins with very basic information but also includes pointers that I suspect even seasoned woodworkers will appreciate. We're still gathering our supplies so I cannot comment on the projects themselves yet, but we're eager to get started. Instead of feeling intimidated now I feel equipped with enough knowledge to successfully help my son build real projects. Thank you, Mr. McKee!

wish i had this years ago

Very important skills to learn

Jack McKee has written two nonfiction books about ways to teach manual skills to children through building projects: Woodshop for Kids and Builderboards. I proofread his second book and I was stunned by the importance of the book because what he's really offering (along with woodworking projects) is a model for offering respect to children and a way to give them power through safety rules and permission to play. It's a wonderful book. I sent a copy to my grandson, who sleeps with it under his pillow.Janey Bennett,author, The Pale Surface of Things

This has a number of good projects and suggestions for younger kids. I think the book may be better than I am rating it. However, I was looking for something geared toward middle and high school students and so was a little disappointed.

This book has laid out a plan of activities to make it fun to work/play with your kids in the workshop. Great book. My 8 and 9 year olds really liked it.

I purchased this book for our son-in-law to use as a resource for helping our grandson acquire woodworking skills. With lots of basic information on appropriate tools and projects, I think it will be very useful.

Don't make this purchase, buy learning through woodwork by Pete Moorhouse! Far more inspiring, and a must have for all practioners! I sent this back-not geared to Early years as stated.

good starting book, Grandad and grandson (aged 7) had good fun an has now got grandson in woodworking... joined a club

Great book to start little ones with

Great little book for the kids to make models.

For grandson, he hasn't seen it yet.