Easy Wood Projects for High School Students

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Woodworking has taught me some pretty useful skills, and I’m excited to share with you some amazing and straightforward projects, especially suited for high school students. If you’re looking for a fun and worthwhile activity, this is it.

All you need are a few basic tools and a couple of hours to dive into these enjoyable and handy creations. Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!

Setting Up a Workspace + Safety Tips and Reminders

Before you start these cool woodworking projects, you need to set up your workspace properly. First, make sure you have all the right woodworking tools and art materials. 

Next, determine what kind of workspace is going to be best for you. Do you want a permanent one or just something temporary? As high school students, you may not have a permanent space where you can work. 

woodworking as a hobby

What you can do is dedicate an area and table where you can lay down all your tools and materials temporarily. 

Make sure everything is well lit, and there is plenty of room for movement without bumping into anything else in the process to protect yourself from accidents.

More importantly, do not forget to wear protective clothing like goggles and gloves when working with power tools and other woodworking tools. Always don ear protection when operating noisy woodworking project machines like drills or saws.

Lastly, keep all flammable items at least five feet away from any heat source.

Benefits of Introducing Highschoolers to Woodworking

Woodworking projects help high school students develop an appreciation for art. 

It also makes math and science concepts interesting since woodworking involves measurements and angles. You need to think about those things practically to ensure your project comes out correctly.

woodworking class

Woodworking projects also teach high school students ideas and ways of how to use their hands creatively. These activities will uncover their creative flair and bring their art ideas into reality. They will be fulfilled with what they’ve done once they use their project personally.

Another understated benefit is that woodworking projects teach high school students how to problem-solve. It helps develop their critical thinking skills through the creative process, allowing them to do things on their own.

Read Next: Millenials’ Pride: Doing Woodworking Things On Their Own 

11 Easy Woodworking Projects for High School Students

#1: Hiking Stick

Hiking Stick

Difficulty Level: Easy
Cost: No expense or around $5
Time: A couple of hours
Required Skills: Knowledge of using a drill

Tools and Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Find the right size of the stick. Make sure that it meets the height you need. If longer, trim it. 
  2. Prepare the surface of your hiking stick. Leave all the bark on for a simple look or sand and carve it off for a smoother, more polished effect.
  3. Create a loop to bind to the top of your stick, which can be used as a hanger or as an alternative way to carry it around when you’re not hiking.
  4. Add color and seal your stick for a colorful finish, or experiment with different stains and varnishes. 

#2: Wood Burning

Wood Burning

Difficulty Level: Easy
Cost: Less than $30
Time: Open-ended
Required Skills: Woodburning experience 

Tools and Materials:

(Check this guide for finding the best pencil for woodworking.)

Instructions:

  1. Experiment with your woodburning pen on scrap wood and get used to how it works (you can search online). It allows you to create a different style, effect, or construction.
  2. Print out a design from the internet and use transfer paper to trace it onto your wood.
  3. Keep sandpaper nearby to remove any buildup on the wood as you work.
  4. Keep in mind the temperature of a hot pen tip – it might be helpful to have pliers nearby for quick tip changes.
  5. Add more color, patterns, textures, and designs to your woodburning projects with stains and paint. 

#3: Jewelry Holder

Jewelry Holder

Difficulty Level: Easy
Cost: No expense or around $10 
Time: A couple of hours or less
Required Skills: Sanding and drilling experience

Tools and Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Select a piece of wood that’s big enough for the number of hooks you want your holder to have. 
  2. Select your hook screws. Check the length of each screw against the thickness of the wood to make sure it won’t stick out the backside.
  3. Sand down the exterior and customize it however you like.
  4. Drill a small hole to make it easier to put in the hooks.
  5. Finally, you’re ready to hang it up on your shelves and start using it. This woodworking project can also be a nice gift!

#4: Wooden Spoon

Wooden Spoon

Difficulty Level: Easy 
Cost: $40-$60
Time: Varies on your experience
Required Skills: Woodcarving experience 

Tools and Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Using a wood carving tool, trace the shape of a spoon onto the finish. Then, cut it out.
  2. Make sure that you’re using a sharp knife. Always secure the object with a firm grip and avoid carving near your body.
  3. Create a solid facet for your spoon bowl. Start by tracing its outline. Cut the bowl into your desired size using the hook knife and a spoon gouge.
  4. Carve the handle by first determining its size and shape. Use a roughing knife to create the handle.
  5. Your carved spoon can be made to look its best by either polishing it down to its desired smoothness or adding a decorative layer.

#5: Bath Tray

Bath Tray

Difficulty Level: Easy
Cost: $10 
Time: Around 2 hours 
Required Skills: Wood measuring and cutting ability

Tools and Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Measure the width of your tub. If your tub frames are closed against a wall, you need to consider the space restriction. 
  2. Before you start making your tray, make sure that you know how big it needs to be. You also need to cut out two long wooden slats.
  3. Take the board and place it across your bathtub. Mark where the 6-inch slats should be placed. Remove all of the board pieces and attach the slats.
  4. This is the finished version of your tub tray, so it’s ready to be used for various purposes.

#6: Pencil Holder

Pencil Holder

Difficulty: Easy 
Cost: Free (if you have the essential equipment)
Time: A couple of hours 
Required Skills: Drilling experience

Tools and Materials:

Instructions:

  1. To make pencil holes, draw a grid on the top exterior.
  2. Make a hole in specified places using a saw bit. You need to make sure that the hole is big enough to fit a pen or pencil. Also, make sure the drill angle is at least 90 degrees.
  3. After you have drilled every hole and the saw bit has been removed, sand the object’s finish to remove any splintering. You can search online for other styles and design ideas to use for this project.

#7: Tablet Holder

Tablet Holder

Difficulty Level: Moderate
Cost: $10-$20
Time: 3 hours or more 
Required Skills: Woodburning experience

Tools and Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut 4 wooden parts. Make sure that your tablet fits in it. 
  2. The size of wood A should be thrice as much as wood B, which is essential for tablet holder balance. Use a measuring tape for accuracy. 
  3. Use wood glue or nails to join the parts.  
  4. By now, you have your table holder ready to use!

#8: Wooden Chest

Wooden Chest

Difficulty Level: Moderate 
Cost: $20
Time: 4-5 hours
Required Skills: Wood measuring and cutting ability 

Tools and Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Make a box with the front, back, and side pieces using wood glue. Finish the attachments using a drill and screw.
  2. To make the box more sturdy, cut the support pieces at an angle and glue them to every corner. 
  3. Cut the length of the chest’s baseboard to your desired length. Attach it with screws and glue.
  4. To attach the top of the box, use the two large hinges. You can also add decorative details to the edges by making a bevel.

#9: Wooden Ruler

Wooden Ruler

Difficulty Level: Easy
Cost: Free or $10
Time: 1-2 hours
Required Skills: Using a hand saw or table saw  

Tools and Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Get the timber and cut it using a hand saw or a table saw.
  2. Cut shallow grooves on the ruler surface to create a line. 
  3. Carve the numbers into the ruler. Use various tools such as leather stamps and stencils to craft your desired effect, creating a more appealing look.
  4. After drying the numbers, apply a sealer with a clear and strong paint to the ruler.

#10: Fireplace Insert

Fireplace insert

Difficulty Level: Moderate
Cost: $30-$40
Time: 4 hours or more 
Required Skills: Woodcutting experience

Tools and Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Use a bandsaw to cut the tree branch into two-three pucks.
  2. After cutting, clean the surface using sandpaper. 
  3. Stain the wood’s surface to protect it from future damage. 
  4. Before you can start putting the hockey sticks into the backboard of your fireplace, you need to make sure that it has a square opening. 
  5. Cut out the backboard and coat it, then dry. 
  6. Glue the wood puck onto the backboard. 
  7. To secure the backboard into the fireplace, carefully push it into the opening edges. It should be firmly seated and secured using friction from one side to the other side. 

#11: Wooden iPhone Speaker

Wooden iPhone Speaker

Difficulty Level: Moderate
Cost: $10
Time: 2 hours or less
Required Skills: Wood measuring and cutting ability

Tools and Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut the 24 inches into two 12 inches sections.
  2. To determine the slot used for your phone’s front piece, place it on the surface, and the rest of it will stick out over the top edge from one end to another.  
  3. Cut out the line that you traced around your phone. Layout a section of wood on some paper and trace the outline. Measure the sides of the front piece and the back portion, and then cut out a section of the wood that will match the size of the speaker. 
  4. Lay the back piece of the phone flat on the cutting surface, and then lay the other parts of the dowel on top of it. Make sure everything is lined up properly.
  5. Measure and mark the center of the front piece by going back to the top portion, then mark the location where the speakers will be. Cut out a circle that’s 2 inches in diameter. You can also add decorative touches by shaping the edges of the circles, creating a more unique effect.
  6. After attaching the front and back pieces, glue them together. You now need to paint or stain the speaker and use it!

Basic Care and Maintenance Tips

Engaging in these enjoyable woodworking projects for high school students is a fantastic experience. However, it’s crucial to maintain them regularly. Here are a few essential tips:

Similar Topic: Fall Woodworking Projects 

Conclusion

These easy wood projects for high school students can be an art course in school or simply for fun. It ranges from beginner-friendly wooden carving projects to moderate-level woodworking projects, but surely all of these are simple enough for beginners and teens who want to try out crafting

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, look for those woodworking projects labeled as “easy”. Then, work your way up to moderate and difficult woodworking projects on this list.

robert headshot

Robert Johnson is a passionate furniture maker & carpenter, sought after for his knowledge on the craft.
You’ve probably seen his down-to-earth wisdom in USA Today, Bobvila, Family Handyman, and The Spruce, where he has shared commentary and guidance on various woodworking topics.

Robert is the brain behind Sawinery, where he aims to share tips, tricks, and a passion for all things carpentry.

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