5 Easy Family Building Projects for Your Garden

With spring quickly approaching, it’s the perfect time to teach your kids how to use some tools while doing a few family building projects for your garden. If you aren’t a tool master yourself, that’s okay. You can show your child how to use the resources available in your area to learn how to use tools safely.

Most large hardware stores, like Lowe’s and Home Depot, have a tool rental program, so you don’t have to purchase a tool if you don’t think you’ll use it again. If using a power tool is beyond your comfort zone, there are other options, like a handsaw with some wood clamps instead of a power saw.

Whatever tool you decide to use, make sure you talk with your child about how to safely use the tool and what its job is. If you don’t have a hardware store that will teach you how to use a tool in person, there’s always YouTube. Just make sure you understand the instructions, and if in doubt, use a hand tool that will do the same job. Although hand tools can still be dangerous, they are relatively safer than power tools.

It’s also important to show your child how to use the tool safely and supervise them while they use it if you feel they are responsible enough. Otherwise, having them be your helper is an excellent idea until they reach the maturity level needed to use a tool on their own. Some tools that kids can safely use with supervision and/or some help, even at a young age, include a hammer, screwdriver or drill, handsaw, and sandpaper.

I remember many building projects from kindergarten that involved me using these items. I was also my dad’s helper and watched him use a table saw and skill saw for many projects as well as a hand and belt sander. Make sure you also teach your child how to properly clean the tools after they are used, so they will stay in good condition and be ready to use when your next project arises.

Some simple ways to teach your child to use basic tools (hammer, handsaw, screwdriver/drill, and sandpaper) include the following:

• Talk with your child about the proper way to hold a hammer and then show them by hammering a nail into a piece of wood or stump. Then start a number of nails in the stump or piece of wood and allow your child to hit the nails until they are flush with the wood. Or you can have your child stop before the nails are flush and show them how to pull the nails back out with the claw side.
• Discuss the blade on a handsaw and show them the proper way to hold it and use it. Talk about wood clamps and why they are good to use. Then clamp a piece of wood to a workbench and cut off a piece from the end. Then allow your child to cut off pieces.
• Show your child a screwdriver and/or drill. Talk with them about the difference between the two and when each would come in handy. If your child isn’t ready to use a drill, you can drill a few holes into a stump (possibly the same one they hammered into if there’s room) and then get some screws started in the holes. Show your child how a screwdriver works by screwing one of the screws in and then let your child screw the rest of the screws in. They can even unscrew them if they want to.
• Take the pieces of wood that your child cut off from the clamped piece of wood and show them how to safely sand off the rough edges with the sandpaper, then let them sand the remaining pieces.

Then put your child’s new skills (and possibly yours) to use with the following easy family building projects for your garden:

• Make a small planter or garden box (for inside or outside)
• Build a trellis for climbing plants
• Build a small garden shed
• Make a garden bench
• Make a birdhouse