Category Archives: Kids
Working Wood with My Children (Mostly Pictures)
Ever since my children were old enough to hold tools, I have included them in my woodworking. My workbench is right in our main living space–on one end of the dining room–so the kids can all see me every time … Continue reading
The Best Tire Swing Ever
We have a large oak tree in our front yard, and while we have attempted to put up several different kinds of tree swings for the children over the years, this tire swing has been by far the best. The … Continue reading
The Folly of “Prepping”
What is the best way to preserve a seed? I first came across this question in a gardening book, and it’s a trick question. The answer, of course, is to plant it. I have thought about that question a lot … Continue reading
Build a Cedar Bench in an Hour
One summer afternoon not long ago, my wife and oldest daughter had gone out, leaving me to mind the little ones. We decided to make a fire in the fire pit and roast hot dogs for supper. We lit the fire … Continue reading
A New Door, a New Bed, a New Daughter
My summer ended with big woodworking plans for the coming year. (Most people’s year begins on January first, but being a professor, I think as much in school years as in calendar years, so my year effectively begins in mid-August.) … Continue reading
She Sure Fooled Me!
Some time ago, I had been working on a big home improvement project for which I had collected a lot of lumber over the past year. One evening at quitting time, I left some of the lumber out on the … Continue reading
Little Helpers Who Actually Help
My children have always enjoyed playing at working wood. I’ve taught them to handle some basic tools, like braces, spokeshaves, and even gouges, but they’ve mostly contented themselves with playing in the sawdust and shavings as I work. But recently … Continue reading
Making Wooden Spoons (Quickly)
Our local art museum, the Mobile Museum of Art, is hosting an arts-and-crafts fair next month. I don’t usually sell my work at craft shows, but the table fee was reasonable, so I signed up. The problem is that I … Continue reading
The Junior Armory–Again
This evening I finished a small commission for a very good friend of mine: His three children will be getting wooden swords for Christmas. These are made from osage orange and walnut, and the two pieces are joined with a … Continue reading
WIA 2014 Kids’ Corner: Special Thanks to North Carolina Woodworker
The Woodworking in America conference naturally caters to the facial-hair-and-flannel crowd, but our experience this year was enriched by the “kids’ corner” set up by North Carolina Woodworker, a statewide association of woodworkers. They had several quick, kid-friendly projects for … Continue reading
