Woodworking Ideas for Father and Son

As all fathers know, finding common interests with children can be trying at some times. The things parents watch their kids do-the music they listen to, the friends they make, and the activities they enjoy-rarely resemble the upbringing we, as parents, remember. This makes it difficult at times to spend quality with our offspring. For fathers especially, who usually spend most of the day away at work, this inconsistency in interests can strain the parent-child relationship.

One time-tested and reliable way to spend quality time together is to embark on a woodworking project. Kids enjoy making something tangible-much the opposite of the lectures and books they learn from in the classroom, and what father doesn’t enjoy an excuse to spend an afternoon breathing in sawdust? A woodworking project brings parent and child together, and the early yet subtle introduction to the practical applications of what students learn during school, as math and geometry are used in woodworking, will help show education and its many uses in a positive light.

Best of all, it is an inexpensive project. Most people have almost all they need around the house. Wood-unlike video game consoles or plastic building blocks-is relatively inexpensive, and these projects teach real, usable skills to both parties.

As previously stated, the best kind of woodworking project is one the child can see and use regularly, and with this in mind, here are a few ideas:

Go-Kart
Building a small push go-cart produces an activity for two siblings, or two friends. It can be constructed from plywood and small dimensional lumber, with wheels from the hardware store and axles of all-thread. It need not be fancy, just a simple steerable cart that one can ride on, with a small seat back. Make two for races down the block. A fun addition is a brake, which can simply be a friction pad that touches the wheel with the pull of a lever.

Bird House
A simple bird house can be made out of one 1×12 board cut into walls, a floor and a roof. It can also be painted a color to match the garden or house. A child can watch how his creation houses birds from the neighborhood, and it will last for years with an appropriate exterior paint.

Play Table and Chairs
Building a simple square four-legged table and chairs (in miniature) can give your son or daughter and his/her friends a place to eat or play outside, without worrying about them destroying a nice piece of furniture. It is about as simple as a project can get, with few angles and no moving parts, so it is appropriate for even the tiny ones.

These are only a few examples, but there are countless others that can be substituted. Be creative. Find a need and make something to fill it. Not only will you be improving your home, but you will also strengthen your relationship with your child, and imbue them with an appreciation for their education.