Favourite kids projects?

[brewdexta]

My youngest daughter is just turning 5, she is definitely more rough and tumble whereas my eldest daughter is pink and fluffy. She already has the overalls and work bench, I just need to find a few projects suited to kids. She helps me in the workshop a bit at the moment, I had her rubbing down the bed on the mill the other day, but she wants to build something top to bottom. She's very independent and wants to do most herself but understands that I have to do the dangerous bits. She already has construction sets/lego etc.

I have a couple of books somewhere with wood projects for kids but I thought I would enlist the combined knowledge of the forum.

What is your favourite workshop project for kids? Metal/wood or otherwise.

Cheers
Andy

 

[Shox Dr]

Stocks.

 

[brewdexta]

Now there's an idea!

 

[jinjahbiscuit]

What about something like a Toylander project? There's a bit of everything in one of those. Maybe a bit long term for a young nipper who might want instant results, but it would be fun too, after being finished.

 

[Fazerruss]

Trolley cart. Bob sleigh if it snows. Rocking horse. Wendy house/workshop!

 

[Fazerruss]

Seesaw

 

[madkayaker]

Swing, zip wire, trike. Go cart and thing like that depending on scrap laying about

 

[Shox Dr]

Zip wire. That would ACE at your house, Andy. Just think how long it would take them to walk backup that hill

 

[Wendelspanswick]

2nd for a Go Cart, if you can get hold of an old wheelchair they make amazing go carts.
My two children had a wheelchair modified go cart each and competed against each other and with friends bombing down the country lane opposite our house (a public road). They used to cone off the end of the lane so the locals would know it was in use as a 'raceway' and divert around.
It starts off really steep at the top and levels out at the bottom with high banks and hedges either side.
Lots of minor scrapes and once I had to explain to my other half how my 9 year old son had broken his collar bone!

 

[cumbriasteve]

For long lasting playability you can't beat a little house for the garden where girls are concerned...been there got the T shirt etc etc.

I made one from that cheap sheeting that looks like compressed wood bits ( can't remember proper name), painted with exterior gloss and some roof tiles made from a roll of felt, it was about 6ft x 6ft x 5ft high, little windows and door, seats and table inside, chimney and flower boxes, even a little door bell.

Her and her friends spent hour upon hour playing and arguing in it, 3 years later sold it for the same price it had cost to make.

 

[Shox Dr]

^ OSB.

 

[cumbriasteve]

^ OSB.

Yep that's the stuff.. cheers

 

[nickk]

Yep that's the stuff.. cheers

O?? sterling board.

 

[Welderpaul]

O?? sterling board.

Oriented strand board

 

[brewdexta]

A zip wire would be good, the problem is the pub is at the bottom of the hill and you really want that easy journey on the way back

A go-kart may be good in a year or two, its nearly a 20% gradient outside the house!

I do like the idea of a toylander as a longer term project, I think she probably needs something smaller/quicker to start with.

Building a Wendy/tree house is on the cards for this summer. See saw is not a bad idea too.

Cheers guys, keep 'em coming!

 

[Shox Dr]

A zip wire would be good, the problem is the pub is at the bottom of the hill and you really want that easy journey on the way back

You need a winch as well: Your lass could hook your pants to the line and have a button to press when your tea's ready

 

[brewdexta]

You need a winch as well: Your lass could hook your pants to the line and have a button to press when your tea's ready

I would need some kind of intercom else I can foresee some embarassing situations, being dragged out of the bogs etc.

 

[Shox Dr]

So long as your feet aren't still in the shopping bag you'll be alright

 

[madkayaker]

Tirfor winch is a good place to start for zip wire then you have use of it for winch work. Having a pub at bottom and a winch return sounds good. What about one of those spring animals you see at parks a wooden animal shape you air on bolted to an old car spring

 

[brewdexta]

. What about one of those spring animals you see at parks a wooden animal shape you air on bolted to an old car spring

I like that, should be able to get some old springs easy enough.