When it comes to sharing woodworking with my grandkids, I keep it simple. In fact, I really don't care if they take a shine to woodworking, I would just rather they get the opportunity to be creative.

When they come over for a visit, they don't ask if they can do woodworking, they just ask, "Can we build?"

At this point, I have done very few structured projects, I usually just let the kids have at it with the bin of wood scraps. Kids don't need to be told what to build with the scraps, their imaginations kick into high gear and they figure it out naturally.

I call this the "empty box effect." An empty box is an open ended toy and a child's imagination starts exploring all of the possibilities of what the box can become. The same thing happens with the wood scraps.

During the kids' build sessions, there is plenty of opportunity to teach them about safety, how to use the tools, and problem solving skills.

I think that both structured and unstructured projects have their own advantages and lessons to offer, so I do not necessarily value one over the other. But I will admit that structured projects require more prep time because you have to make parts in advance.

When working in the shop, the kids are exposed to a limited set of dangers, but that is an inherent risk of having them in the shop. Overall, the exposure is controlled and gauged according to the abilities of each child.

The fear of allowing kids into the shop will never give them the opportunity to learn self-control and respect for the tools and a somewhat hazardous environment. Personally, I don't see that it is any less hazardous letting kids ride a bike, a skateboard, or jump on a trampoline. I will not allow an unreasonable fear to keep my grandkids from such a valuable learning experience as they have in my shop.

In the end, I am trying to develop a culture of activity, creativity, and exploration in my family. I think all of the benefits of this far outweigh the perceived dangers.

And to think, I have not even mentioned the added benefit of the hours that the kids have spent with me, Grandpa Todd. There is enough content and lessons there for another blog.

I hope you enjoy the video.

Your friend in the shop-

Todd A. Clippinger

Leave a Legacy - Share the Love, Share the Knowledge

A Gathering Place For The Grandkids

Future American Craftsmen & Artists in the making.The shop is becoming a regular gathering place for the grandkids when they visit. I always go through the emotions and thoughts of, "Not now - I have to get this project done."

But once again, I relent and tell the kids, "You know where the stuff is, get it out. And you can set up over there on that end of the bench." I shouldn't be working on Sunday anyways - right?

The "stuff" includes the hammers, nails, glue gun, markers and what ever else they fancy to be a part of their project.

Don't Be So Stingy

While the kids were getting their supplies out, I was picking through the materials and came to a realization - Don't Be So Stingy.

Recently, I went through a big shop organizational effort and had given away or burnt years of scraps that I had hoarded, each piece had been earmarked with the thought "I can use this someday..."

Some of it was highly figured wood, but to be honest, most of it was ordinary. Just like any other piece that I could find sitting on top of the bunk at my local wood supplier. So what was I holding on to it for?

I don't have to go out of my way to accumulate scraps of wood in the shop, it is a naturally occurring phenomenon. Allowing the kids to come into the shop is a great way to cull out some of the material that tends to build up over time. I decided to override the hoarding instinct and let the kids use those pieces that, in reality, would be there 2 years from now if I did not share them.

The Empty Box Effect

You guys know what the empty box effect is right? It's when you give the kids a gift and they find the empty box more fascinating than the toy itself.

Call me lazy, but I call it smart parenting (or grandparenting in my case) to take advantage of this. I don't plan out anything that the kids have to build. I just provide the various shapes of wood and let the kids' imagination take over.

A shark's fin project.There is plenty of skill and coordination being developed while they work on their project. And I like to think that by allowing them free expression, I am encouraging the next generation to be more creative and think outside the box. Perhaps I am raising the next generation of studio furniture artisans:)

Ultimately, I don't really care if it is woodworking that they enjoy. For kids it is just about being creative, no matter what the medium is, and the shop is just one great big, ultimate craft room.

When I decided to let go of a piece of plywood, that had a curved shape on one edge, my grandson found a shark's fin hiding within it. Now what good would it have done if I had kept that piece on the shelf?

That's all for now.

Your friend in the shop - Todd A. Clippinger

Share the Love~Share the Knowledge

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American Craftsman Workshop