LF serious carpentry mag/plans... for a 4 year old

[AKfamily]

I have a 4 year old with big plans and a former carpenter/current engineering student dh who wants to help him fulfill them. We need a book or a magazine or a blog or something with FULL plans for projects (i.e. materials list with dimensions and step by step instructions - dh can make time for the projects but not for making the plans first). And we need the projects to be more work with balsa or thin plywood so ds can actually hammer and get a nail through the wood. Any ideas?

[IlluminatedAttic]

Check out the woodworking section at For Small Hands (also Montessori Services) here. We gifted my son several of the tools for his fourth birthday and he and my husband have done some of the projects from both books listed there. We also put an old stump out for my son to practice hammering and drilling and such which he loves. Have fun!

[*Jessica*]

I have no idea how many of these plans would be possible for a 4-year-old, but I thought I would share the link anyway.

Ana-White.com

[AAK]

Ok, haven't found a great magazine for this. But, the first two books listed have been great! We got them from our library and really didn't want to return them. The third one is on my wish list--I think it will be really good.

But about the first two: They both have plans and projects that children really can do themselves. Depending on your child, you may or may not need to assist with some parts of it. I like having the first project be a tool box that they can put all their tools in. I know on amazon there is an updated version of at least one of them--but I haven't seen that version so I linked to the one that I have used.


http://www.amazon.com/Woodworking-Ki...9232192&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Kids-Building-...ref=pd_sim_b_4

http://www.amazon.com/Handy-Dad-Awes...=15ZX6GBEW35UE

[Stacey B]

Two things, first 4 year olds can hammer through regular wood when they get a chance. Ds (4) helps dh build loads of stuff using our regular hammer and screw drivers. If they are going to work on projects together. Make and Instructables have some fun stuff, they aren't your birdhouse variety projects. Last spring they built his bed together.

[AAK]

Originally Posted by Stacey B

Two things, first 4 year olds can hammer through regular wood when they get a chance. Ds (4) helps dh build loads of stuff using our regular hammer and screw drivers. If they are going to work on projects together. Make and Instructables have some fun stuff, they aren't your birdhouse variety projects. Last spring they built his bed together.

So true, but stilts, rope ladders, etc are fun too! The books are great for getting ideas. We (as kids) had free access to the scrap bin. I don't know how many "airplanes" we built. . . my kids seem to make countless coat racks (row of nails in a board for hooks). My dd did make the whistle out of one of the books.

Amy

[raelize]

there are books out there for kids that have instructions for building their own houses (playhouse size), with all the blueprints etc. if i could find my copy i'd tell you the name.