10 Kids Woodworking Projects for Rainy Days

Woodworking with kids builds patience, planning and confidence. Keep projects short, let them make real decisions and do the risky steps yourself.

Safety first

• Kids wear safety glasses every time, and hearing protection near power tools.
• Adults handle power saws. Kids can use hand tools with close supervision.
• Clamp the work down so hands stay away from the saw.
• Use untreated lumber and non-toxic finishes or paints for anything kids will handle.

Projects by age

Ages 4–6

1. Nail art board. Hammer nails into a traced shape and wrap yarn around them.
2. Sanded block set. Kids sand pre-cut blocks and paint them.
3. Simple boat. A pointed block with a dowel mast.

Ages 7–9 4. Toy car. A block body with dowel axles and wooden wheels. 5. Bird feeder. Pre-cut parts that kids glue and nail together. 6. Pencil holder. A block with drilled holes (adult drills). 7. Picture frame from craft sticks or thin strips.

Ages 10 and up 8. Tool tote. A small box with a dowel handle. 9. Step stool for the bathroom or kitchen. 10. Birdhouse with a hinged roof for cleaning.

Keep it fun

Pre-cut parts so kids spend time assembling and decorating, not waiting. Let them choose paint and design details. Finish within one session if you can; younger kids lose interest over multiple days.