When my daughter Lucy was a student at Clear Spring School, a small independent school in Northwest Arkansas, I developed a woodworking program called Wisdom of the Hands. It recognizes the importance of integrating the head and hands in the development of intelligence for all students. My daughter is now in college, but woodworking remains a favorite activity throughout the school. The direct, hands-on problem-solving that goes on in the woodshop helps the kids in all their other classes.

Below are a few of the activities we use in the Wisdom of the Hands program. These activities are fun, simple, and of course, very kid-friendly.

	A Small Bench Originally designed as a seat for preschoolers and made from oak, this bench can also be made from pine. The kids at Clear Spring School used pocket screws to attach the top, but it can be nailed or screwed in place. Check Out the Bench
	A Small Box This straightforward box with a sliding lid holds pencils, crayons, or markers, of course. But kids can easily make it shorter, longer, wider, or taller to hold other treasures. Kids can also make the box from different hardwoods. Check Out the Box
	The T-Rex Made from a single piece of 2×4, this figure is sturdy enough to withstand play. It has moving legs plus a movable jaw with fierce dowel teeth to provide lifelike animation. Check Out the T-Rex

For more family fun from the shop, see

• Furniture Kids Will Love
• Interview Mike Schloff of Maplewoodshop, a program for getting woodworking into schools that don’t have a dedicated shop space
• When Wood Fights Back: That special board you’ve been saving may harbor hidden health risks
• Fast Shellac Finish
• Hinges and Lid Supports for Chests (like a toy box for your grandkids)

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Suizan Japanese Pull Saw

A versatile saw that can be used for anything from kumiko to dovetails. Mike Pekovich recommends them as a woodworker's first handsaw.

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