Home Depots, across the country, offer monthly building workshops just for kids. Upon arrival, each child receives a packaged kit that includes pre-cut wood, nails, screws, hooks, and stickers or decals. The tools, glue, and paint are provided by the store. Instructions come in English and Spanish and have kid-friendly illustrations, as well. I use the kid’s workshop as an extension to our homeschool week. At Home Depot Kid’s Workshop, Andrew learns to build and use tools and he gets fine and gross motor skills practice. But the best part is taking home the finished project!
Set Aside Saturday Mornings!
Home Depot Kids Workshop takes place on the first Saturday of every month. Most workshops start around 9:00 am and lasts for a couple hours or until kits run out.
Workshops are Noisy
The workshops are loud! If you have a child with sensory issues it might be wise to take a noise cancelling headset. The workshop crews I’ve met are very understanding. If staying is overwhelming to your child you might give a quick explanation and take a project to take home. However, you will want to make sure that you have all the necessary tools and paint! Andrew and I team up with friends so when one family can’t make the workshop the other brings home an extra project.
so that he could do the projects without assistance. Progress not Perfection!
Kids Make the Final Decisions
Building projects provides one on one time for parents and child. Warning though, parents need to pack patience! It is difficult for youngsters to hold nails and pound or turn a screw driver at the same time. I’ve seen lots of stressed out parents. In the long run, the children learn about building, engineering, and tools while parents learn to take a deep breath and let the youngsters explore the world of wood crafting. The other difficulty parents face is to allow the child the freedom to choose desired paint schemes and adhere crooked stickers. Just keep “progress not perfection” in mind!
Project Pins
After completing the project, all builders receive a project pin. Andrew has a collection of pins that he keeps on a Home Depot apron. It is a nice way for children to feel satisfaction and to see all the projects that they have completed.
STEAM Activities Available
Home Depot has partnered with Discovery Education and created a website called Science Fair Central. On this site you can find STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) classroom and family activities. The REALLY COOL PART is that you can download or print additional extended activities to use with the workshop project! This allows kids to expand and take their newly built project to a higher level while they experiment and investigate engineering techniques using their new creation.
Find Science Fair Central on the web at:
https://www.sciencefaircentral.com/
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