Ideas for building with kids

Does anyone have any suggestions on something I can build with my 7-year old grandson this summer? I am comfortable supervising him with the KREG jig, the jig saw, hammer, nails, power driver/drill. We are definitely going to do the birdfeeder....I was thinking a full blown birdhouse maybe? Toy carts? Any ideas? I'm hoping he LOVES it! I'm getting older and by the time he's a teen, I was hoping we would share a hobby and he could do all the heavy lifting!! ;-)

momma2three

Fri, 04/13/2012 - 09:45

I bought this book: http://www.scrollerltd.com/prodinfo.asp?number=FCB03

It has some great ideas for projects to do with kids. I'd pick things he'd love to play with or use. they had a small toy wagon, bike rack, bean bag game, swing, etc. All good ideas. So there a toy he really loves like legos that maybe he needs a small table for or storage for?? I built my girls a simple shelf system designed specifically for their doll houses and plan to make a shelf system for my son to display all his base plates for legos. He likes to build houses or things on each one and play with them all together and we don't have anywhere to keep 6-8 base plates with houses on them in his room right now. He's really excited to help me build something for that.

Amanda2760

Tue, 04/24/2012 - 18:38

Make something related to his interests that he can use. If he's into Nerf guns, build a hutch for him to store them in with "secret" compartments for the arrows. If he's into matchbox cars or models build a display "garage" to house them.

FallenAngel

Tue, 05/15/2012 - 09:17

Depends on his skill level, too. My son's a beginner and a cub scout, so we built a simple toolbox, At your grandson's age, he should be able to build a simple toolbox that doesn't even require complex tools. The one we built had him use a sanding block, handsaw, tape measure and a hammer and/or drill (provided you pre-cut the boards.) I also chose to pre-drill holes in the ends for the handles

It only utilized a single 1"x6"x6' (or 8' if you want excess) of pine & a 1" dowel (

Jake

Wed, 05/16/2012 - 18:39

My two grandkids ages 8 and 10 and the young lady across the street age 10 have completed a number of projects. If you look at my page there is a picture of the kids with the tool boxes they made (very simple) and the step table they made with a little help but mostly supervision from me (easy but tricky). We also made a small picnic table and a couple of kit type projects. They really enjoy the final product so I wish you the greatest success. By the way I just finished an easel which was very easy and I think will become a kids project. They can always use an easel especially with a white board.

YankeeBelle

Tue, 08/07/2012 - 16:25

Thank you for the wonderful ideas!! I'm going to check out the book Momma recommended for next summer's projects. Jake, I LOVE the pix of your proud grandkids with their step stools....they will enjoy them for life and tell the story to their own grandkids one day of how they made them with their grandpa!
Angel, I love the toolbox idea and am hoping that, as Amanda suggested, I can build things with him that reflect his interest.
We ended up making a simple birdhouse for his favorite Aunt. Under my supervision he used a chop saw and an air nailer. It came out very cute! Thanks so much, I can't wait to try some of your ideas next year!!