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Work Tools for Kids

Kids love to share in the projects of grown-ups. Once they are old enough, completing projects of their own can lead to a lifetime hobby. Whether working in the shop to build a stool or taking apart an old tricycle, kids benefit from owning and caring for their own tools. Tools made for children are most often flimsy and unsuitable for real use. The right "adult" tools -- many of which are already suitable for children or are now available in lighter-weight sizes -- will last them a lifetime.

Measuring, Leveling and Storage
- Before they're even capable of putting together a project, kids will spend hours measuring things. Get them started with their own 16-foot tape measure. Stanley makes a lightweight, yet sturdy, one that is perfect for little hands. A bubble level is another toy-like tool that kids will enjoy long before they're able to build, and they are even available in glow-in-the-dark for low-light leveling. A speed square will familiarize your child with layout basics, and the numbers and notches will fascinate her. Finally, invest in a sturdy, heavy, plastic toolbox, in which she can easily store and transport her tools. Learning how to take care of real tools is as important as learning to use them.
Building
- From the time they are able to stack blocks, kids are fascinated by construction. When they are old enough to really build things, teaching them how to use tools safely is key. Knowing how to saw is a basic skill, for example, and a hand saw is the way to get them started. Japanese-style pull saws, which are lightweight and feature replaceable blades that cut on the pull stroke, are great for many projects and are relatively safe. A quality hammer can last a kid forever, and a 12-ounce hammer is light enough to handle easily. A bench vise is useful for everything from sawing and cutting to pounding things into shape. A couple of lighter-weight clamps will also serve them well. Finally, a ratchet and wrench set will allow a child to take his bicycle apart and put it back together again in a flash.
Power Tools
- Although you probably would not allow your 10-year-old to work a table saw, there are power tools for a variety of applications that are suitable for kids' use under supervision. A cordless drill/driver is one of the most useful tools your kid, or you, can own. Look for a lightweight version -- both Bosch and and Skil make them -- with variable-speed triggers. A compact dremel engraver is one other power tool you may want to consider so your child can decorate or "sign" her projects. Just be sure she knows not to decorate the furniture or your car.

Construction Toys