Woodworking presents a wonderful and educational opportunity for kids to engage in. Yet, it’s crucial to exercise caution, particularly when tools are in play, to ensure their safety. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the best wood projects tailored for kids.
Reviews of the Best Woodworking Projects for Kids
1. Annie's Young Woodworkers subscription box
Annie’s Young Woodworkers Kit Club has multiple selections of easy wood projects for kids. They have a subscription service known for providing fun crafts for kids monthly.
This comes with clear instructions and kit supplies for the first 3 months, including tape measure, screwdriver, carpenter’s square, hammer, and others. The creative kits are suitable for children from 7 to 12 years old, with varying options of toys that kids will enjoy playing with. The variety of options is a great thing, and each woodworking project for kids is well-made and safety-assured.
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2. Kraftic DIY Deluxe Carpentry Kit with 6 Projects
This Kraftic DIY wood kit has 80 pieces of real wood, ruler, glue, nails, hammer, 2 pencils, sandpaper, and one storage bag. Detailed instructions are included as well. While you don’t need power tools like a drill or saw, this is like following a detailed wood shop layout plan for adults. Kids will have fun making this set of easy woodworking projects during a lazy afternoon.
3. Lakeshore Build-It-Yourself Kit
If you’re dealing with a mix of younger and older kids who have a shared interest in engaging with enjoyable and straightforward woodworking projects, I can attest that the age range for this Lakeshore kit is quite accommodating. The project kit includes a lightweight hammer, nails, top wood glue, and over 80 pieces of smooth pine wood. The pieces of wood are plain in color, so it’s a great idea to paint the project in different colors afterwards. Your kid can make this with family and friends as well.
4. National Geographic Da Vinci’s DIY Science and Engineering Construction Kit
With this National Geographic kit, you get three different simple DIY projects for your kids to make – a catapult, a bombard, and a ballista. All the pieces are included, with supplies like rubber bands, laser cut pieces, sandpaper, and the instructions. If you’re looking for woodworking projects for kids that could inspire an interest in science and engineering, this is a great choice.
5. Liberty Imports DIY Deluxe Foam Wood Kids STEM Toys Carpentry Construction Engineering Tool Workshop Kit
This is another DIY kit with some of the best craft kits and woodworking projects for kids. It includes 6 diagrams to make 6 easy toy ideas, and all materials are safe, simple, and fun for kids 3-10 years old. You can also paint the finished DIY wooden project after. The entire experience is pretty simple, so it’s a great activity to spark your kids’ interest in a new hobby of woodworking.
6. Toysmith Beetle & Bee Build A Bird Bungalow
Most children’s minds immediately go to birdhouses when they consider their first woodworking project. They don’t require much time or effort to produce and have practical uses, like this Toysmith Beetle & Bee Build A Bird Bungalow Backyard Birdhouse Kit.
This set is perfect for kids ages 5 and up, thanks to its simple tools and instructions. It wouldn’t take hours to finish this birdhouse project. You can trust the quality of this kit because it has received certification from FSC.
This kit equips kids with the tools they need to create their backyard masterpiece, complete with a paintbrush and paint pots. It’s a great way to encourage imagination and creativity while fostering a love for animals by providing a hanging living space for birds. All in all, it’s one of the top woodworking projects for kids that I recommend for your little ones to explore.
Want to build a feeder to match? We can also recommend Make a Bird Feeder Kit from Inner Child Fun.
7. SparkJump DIY Candy Dispenser Wood Building Kit
Included in this SparkJump DIY Wood Building Kit are the natural wood pieces, nails, sandpaper, mason jar, and instructions necessary for your youngster to create their homemade candy dispenser.
We like that it includes some sample sweets to get you started. Each kit is also pre-cut for your convenience, so no power tools are needed to complete the project. Young people benefit from this since it helps them develop STEM abilities and fundamental engineering skills.
Help your kids practice their motor skills and reinforce their foundational engineering knowledge. Children of all ages can benefit from instilling life skills through exposure to STEM subjects, and this is a great first project for your own kids to get started.
8. Wooden Solar Car STEM Projects for Kids
Making a solar-powered car out of balsa wood is a great woodworking project for kids interested in carpentry. Woodworking kits like this one are perfect for kids ages 10 to 12. They may easily practice their math and engineering skills without using tools or screws.
The process of constructing this car is a great way to teach kids about following directions and paying attention to detail. There is also no need for batteries.
This set includes a solar panel that can convert the wooden vehicle into an electric vehicle by storing energy from the sun.
9. Rescue Vehicles by Made By Me
This simple kit for kids ages six and up has everything you’ll require for a satisfying afternoon of play. You can easily craft this on the kitchen counter or in your kid’s room.
I found that this kit offers the opportunity to assemble three distinct rescue vehicles from the 34 pre-cut wooden pieces. It’s worth noting that while the wheels do turn, the finished product is better suited for display rather than active play. Nevertheless, it stands out as one of the simplest woodworking projects for kids due to its straightforward assembly process.
Although more time is spent painting and gluing than there is crafting, if all you want to do is build with wood, look at the other projects we have on this list.
10. Stanley Jr. Lifting Crane Tool Box and 6 Piece Tool Set
A good project that can be made by kids 8 and up (or younger with supervision) is the Stanley Jr. Lifting Crane + Toolbox Wood Kit. This is one of the woodworking projects for kids that your young one can play with after they complete it.
This kit includes all the pieces and two sets of instructions, making them easy to assemble and well-supported. And the fact that children have their own set of instruments and storage is another plus.
We recommend the Stanley Jr. lifting crane kit as a good introduction to woodworking kits in general. Though it isn’t the cheapest option, we figured it was worth it because it came with everything the project needed.
11. S&S Worldwide-WD3213 Unfinished Transportation Kit
There are 9 different crafts in this S&S Worldwide-WD3213 set, and they all require glue for assembly. Once they’re done, they’re ready to be painted on.
Although some waiting is involved because the glue needs time to dry, this fantastic kit provides excellent value for the time invested.
Pieces of pine and luan wood are already cut to size, and there is also sandpaper, wheels, dowels, and a set of instructions included. The downside is that the package does not include wood glue or any other decorating materials. But overall, this is a set of easy woodworking projects for your little ones.
12. Glintoper Woodworking Building Kit
Customize your wooden automobiles on wheels with a coat of paint and creative detailing with the Glintoper DIY kit.
The wooden bricks in this kit are produced from high-quality wood that is both non-toxic and safe for children and pets, and they are already pre-cut and slotted for easy assembly; it also comes with an instruction manual.
Additionally, you don’t have to worry about splintering because the wood bricks are finished to a smooth and even texture that are free of rough edges. All paints included are safe for kids and may be removed with water and soap.
Woodworking Projects for Kids Buyer’s Guide
Woodworking is an excellent hobby that will help in the development of your kid’s fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and creativity. It’s also a great way for them to spend quality time with family or friends, all while developing art and life skills.
When finding easy woodworking projects for your kids, there are some factors you need to consider. For one, how would you know if it’s the right woodworking project at all? With all the ideas and options out there, it can be confusing to find an easy project where the end result is something that your kids will love.
What to Look for?
Age Appropriate
Just like enrolling your kids to art or woodworking camps, you also need to find age-appropriate wood project kits for kids that they will love to craft. If you purchase one that’s too easy or too complicated (something like a coat rack, a gazebo house for the birds, or a mason bee house), your kid will likely lose interest very quickly. For toddlers, parents should choose a kit without too many pieces or tools.
Great woodworking projects for kids don’t have to be difficult to make. Some involve the use of basic tools and materials. This is a great start for younger kids to learn basic woodworking skills and use the tools properly. Some good examples of simple DIY projects for little ones include a wooden robot, wooden airplane, wooden blocks, wood sign, stick puppets, board games, and a DIY catapult. A crayon holder is also good, and will teach kids to organize their crayons.
Older kids might want bigger projects, especially if they know how to work with real tools and they already developed some skill in woodworking. If they’re not interested in learning how to build a toy, some easy woodworking projects they can create include wind chimes, wood sculptures, a hanging planter for the garden, a picture frame, balance board, or a LEGO coat rack. A camping tent is an excellent idea as well. You can put it up in the backyard, perfect if your kid loves the great outdoors.
For some of these, they might have to drill holes and create simple cuts, so adult supervision is still required with all the tools they have to use. Unless you have a teenager, handling plywood or creating furniture is definitely too advanced for boys and girls.
You might also encourage your kids to construct a dog house if you have a puppy at home.
Safe Materials
As parents, safety is crucial. It’s best to make sure that all the planks, wood pieces, and other instruments including the carpenter’s square you’re using for any DIY wooden project for kids are non-toxic and BPA free. Safety certifications are also a big bonus, even for things like paint. If a drill is needed to piece the project together, that’s best done by a parent to maintain safety.
When connecting wood pieces, some DIY projects may need wood glue or a hot glue gun. If you’re working with stronger products, like Gorilla glue, adult supervision is best even for older kids.
If you’re going to use big pieces like a log or a big board, you might need to use power tools in the garage, such as a table saw. Make sure your kid wears proper protective gear while the grown up makes the cuts.
Clear Instructions
There are many kits made with very clearly laid out instructions and templates for every wood project, whether it’s an easy or advanced woodworking craft. When choosing woodworking projects for kids, it’s best if the guide has photos so kids can imagine and follow the steps easily. This way, information is easier to understand than your typical woodworker’s book.
That said, your kids don’t always have to start with a great project on some level of difficulty. Especially for beginners and little ones, free play is a good way to promote creativity and the formation of ideas. Parents can encourage kids by letting them hammer nails onto a large piece of scrap wood or block. Kids playing with wooden blocks and glue would also be a learning experience. This kind of play is helpful and can encourage your child to form ideas on their own without it being such a challenge. The point is, learning through games and playing is very effective.
What to Make Out of Wood?
You can select the difficulty level for the art project based on your child’s existing woodworking skills. Choosing something they can successfully complete is important, as this fosters a sense of accomplishment and encourages further learning. Introducing children to highly complex and time-consuming crafts may not be conducive to their development, as it may discourage their enthusiasm for woodworking.
Below are some easy woodworking projects for kids. You can either purchase a kit or create these with scrap wood.
- DIY Bird Feeder
- DIY House for Mason Bees
- DIY Wooden Picture Frame
- DIY Crayon/Pen Holder
- DIY Wooden Toy or Wooden Robot
- Shape Coasters
- Kids' Workbench
- Balsa Wood Wind Chimes
- Textured Stamps
- Wooden Sign for Rooms
- Board Games
- Block Sculptures
Your kids could also take their creativity further by painting their finished pieces for a pop of color. They could also decorate with fun stickers or other art items. This is a great opportunity for them to explore their imagination and create a fun woodworking project that’s uniquely their own. You can also start teaching them how to work hard to earn money, because even as young as they are, they can already make money woodworking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I build with my son?
You can build a variety of DIY projects with your son, including a toy catapult, bird house, toy truck, crayon holder, piggy bank, toy blocks, stick puppets, storage box, and phone speaker.
Depending on the age of your little boy, you can also create a list of more advanced projects and crafts such as a coat rack, A-frame tents, bookshelf, or a kid’s desk. Decor and other stuff for your boy’s room is also a great idea.
Since these things are a bit more advanced, kids may need parent supervision and assistance when using woodworking tools like a drill or saw. It’s likely that you have to cut wood, drill holes, or make angled cuts when building projects like these.
Want a homemade wood project for you instead? We have recommended 8×12 shed plans to build for your yard. You will require more advanced equipment such as a table saw and drill, and maybe learn a few skills from DIY books.
Conclusion
Woodworking projects for kids are meant to be fun. Never take away the element of fun and play from DIY projects that are meant to bring joy to your child.
This activity has been a part of family activities for generations, and it’s a great way to teach life skills that can shape your kids’ values. With any woodworking project on our list, your kids will surely have a great time. We hope you enjoyed this piece!
- Looking for subscription boxes for kids? Check our Young Woodworkers Kit Club review.
- Want to do your own? We have ideas for furniture that you can do with plywood.
- Find out if it’s also worth spending money on plans Teds Woodworking are offering.
- Planning an event on a budget? Try using Sola Wood Flowers decor, a perfect alternative for expensive flowers for your venue.
- Planning some DIYs at home? You can check our list of Top 100 DIY woodworking projects for beginners here.
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.
