Woodworking kits for kids are a fun way to engage your children in hands-on activities, not to mention the cognitive benefits your child will get. However, you have to be careful in choosing a woodworking kit, as some options in the market could do your child more harm than good.
To help you choose a kid-friendly option, we’ve listed some of the best woodworking kits we’ve tested for young ones.
Best Woodworking Kits For Kids, Youth and Teens
1. The Young Woodworkers Kit Club - #1 Kids Woodworking Kit
One of the more popular options on our list, The Young Woodworkers Kit Club is ideal for older kids aged 7-12 years old. It contains various tools including a tape measure, screwdriver, carpenter’s square, hammer, and others. These could all be reused for future projects once you’re done with the kit.
Although your children would learn how to work with nails and hammers for their projects, this kit is kid-friendly and each piece of wood is already pre-drilled and pre-cut. No power tools are needed, whether your kid is making a truck, helicopter, or a candy dispenser – which are some of the projects you’ll have.
This woodworking kit has detailed instructions as well, with photos to help your kid create his chosen project. While your child should still be supervised with a woodworking kit, you can be confident that they can finish their task.
With woodworking kits like this, you can help strengthen your child’s cognitive development. It can help you prepare them to a more challenging task like making a small wood shop layout plan in the future. And for you, nothing quite compares to the sense of pride and achievement.
Pros
- Tools are included in the first 3 boxes
- A new box comes to the mail monthly
- Instructions are easy to follow
- Activities can help develop motor skills and dexterity
Cons
- Deliveries outside the US take longer
Discount Available only for the next 6 customers
2. Leonardo Da Vinci Catapult Kit
This is one of the best wood building or craft kits suitable for kids over the age of 5. Our experts agree that it’s best for beginner model makers, particularly because there are no complex hand tools included.
The kit comes with all the pieces already cut. All your child needs to do is to fit the pieces together with the best wood glue (which does come with the kit). Like our previous option, no power tools are required.
One thing that sets this woodworking kit apart from others is that your child will learn a bit of history while assembling the pieces. Leonardo Da Vinci was a genius in his time, while the catapult is a widely-used contraption in the Middle Ages.
We do recommend sticking with the age recommendation though, as there are small components in this kit that could be a choking hazard.
Pros
- Comes with clear instructions
- Easy to build for young kids
- Good price
- Catapult works as intended once built
- Offers a little history lesson
Cons
- Requires stronger glue than the glue included in the kit
- Finish on wood is not very smooth
3. Lakeshore Build-It-Yourself Woodworking Kit
This is a great introductory kit for kids looking to dabble in woodworking. It comes with all the tools and supplies needed, including hammer and nails.
Although the Lakeshore Build-it-Yourself caters to kids aged-11 years, we would advise parents to supervise the activity at all times due to the inclusion of hammer and nails in the kit. The smooth pine pieces are precut though, so things wouldn’t be too complicated for your child.
What’s great about this wood building kit for kids is the flexibility it offers. Kids can follow the project instructions set on the manual, or he can practice his creativity and make whatever he wants with the wood pieces that come with the kit.
Pros
- Good quality pre-cut wood
- The little hammer in the package is well-built
- Easy to build for young kids
- Multiple possible projects in the box
Cons
- Instructions are not straightforward
- Hammer is not heavy enough to use on nails
4. National Geographic - Da Vinci's DIY Science and Engineering Construction Kit
Another Da Vinci-inspired option, this woodworking kit offers three project options you can choose from. The battalion comes with a ballista, bombard, and a miniature catapult, so you can pick just one of them or all three.
While other wood projects for kids are just stationary items, each of the finished models are fully functional because the kit includes projectiles and targets. That means your child can actually play with the project once it’s done.
As for assembly, it will take anywhere between 1-3 hours to put the pre-cut wood and rubber bands together. You also have to finish it off with sandpaper. While the process may seem difficult, the kit comes with simple instructions.
One thing worth noting it the 100% satisfaction guarantee that National Geographic offers. They’re a trusted brand for over a century now, so this guarantee is great just in case the construction kit isn’t what you expected.
Overall, this is one of the best woodworking kits for kids. Without any special skills or tools, you can help stimulate STEM development and improve your child’s cognitive, problem solving and motor skills.
Pros
- Wood has fine finish
- Wood glue is included in this kids woodworking kit but is not necessary
- Pieces fit easily together
- Teaches kids basic physics
Cons
- Comes with small parts that can be choking hazards
- Some of the steps require adult supervision
5. Toysmith Beetle & Bee Build A Bird Bungalow Backyard Birdhouse Kit
A lot of people immediately think of a birdhouse when it comes to building a woodworking DIY project. That’s exactly what this kit offers, because your kid can create a 6” tall birdhouse – and decorate it as well!
The instructions for the project are clear and there are no complex tools needed. If your young ones are aged 5 and over, this is a great kit for them.
You get FSC-certified materials with this one, so you know it’s one of the higher quality wood building kits for kids. The materials include everything you need, including paint pots and a paintbrush. This will let your kid color the birdhouse on his own, further stimulating his imagination.
That’s one of the unique things about this woodworking kit, since most products focus on hands-on building, unlike theoretical lessons in manuals or books about woodwork. So while many enjoy the raw and rustic look of an unpainted birdhouse, allowing your child to do some finishing touches would encourage creativity too
Pros
- Parts feel sturdy
- Easy to paint
- Simple enough for younger kids to build
- Fast delivery
Cons
- Not appropriate for children 3 years and under
- Smaller than expected
- Poor instructions
6. Original Hobby Wood Craft 3D Puzzle Kit
If your kid likes the idea of decorating their finished project but you want to give them a bit of a challenge, this 5-pack 3D puzzle kit is a great choice. You get 5 paint sets with all the primary colors, plus green, white and black.
This kit is ideal for kids under 7 years of age. It is a great woodworking projects for a newbie, as well. However, we find the puzzles interesting so it might catch the attention of older kids as well.
No tools or glue are needed with this kit. You just need to construct the vehicles with the pieces of pre-cut wood. So basically, it’s just a matter of fitting the pieces together by following the clear instructions provided.
Pros
- Great quality wood
- Instructions are easy to figure
- Paint lasts long
Cons
- Comes with choking hazards for smaller children
- Instructions are written in fine print
Our Top Pick For Wood Building Kits For Kids & Youth:
Young Woodworkers Kit Club
Discount Available only for the next 6 customers
Among the kits we’ve mentioned, the Young Woodworkers Kit Club stands out as the best woodworking kits for kids. It strikes a perfect balance by offering an appropriate level of challenge with the tools and materials provided while ensuring that children won’t feel overwhelmed thanks to the clear instructions.
The projects in this kit are fun and useful, and they can send you new projects on a weekly basis too. This is like participating in a woodworking summer camp for kids without even leaving your house.
Don’t want to miss out on the fun? There are also age-appropriate plans for adults, courtesy of Ryan Shed Plans.
Conclusion
With STEM education [1] becoming increasingly important, woodworking is one of the ways your child can learn important skills while having fun. The things they’ll learn with woodworking can be transferred into adulthood as well, which proves how valuable this hobby can be.
Itching to build something for you and for your home? We also have the best 12×16 gambrel shed plans that should be built with adults, or at least adult supervision.
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