It wasn’t until the third or fourth time I introduced elementary school kids to tools and woodworking in the classroom that I noticed a pattern. Every young child seemed to have some interest in building things. It must be hard-wired from the start, though that wiring certainly is fragile. This seemingly small observation is worth remembering because there’s so much to be gained when kids engage their minds, hands and hearts building things of their own devising. If you’re interested in boosting the creativity and self esteem of a child in your life, then consider some toolbox time.

Do you have a tool phobia? Don’t let that scare you. The main thing is that the work be your child’s own idea, that it involve simple, manual work, and that it takes place in a supportive framework created and encouraged by you. It's not a lot of trouble, but without this kind of start, kids and tools never make lasting friendships.

My four children range in age from 2 to 11 years old, and of all the activities available to them outside of school, I consider their time with tools to be the most important because it’s unique. And I’m not saying this just because I’m a tool freak, either. It's all about balance. In a world where kids' lives become so full of orchestrated, preplanned activities, it’s good to reserve a few time slots for creative opportunities where children can get excited about their own ideas, figure out how to make them happen on a practical level, and bring that vision to reality under their own steam. This isn’t about training for a trade, though the start you make now may lead your kids in that direction. That’s great if it happens, but it’s not the main goal. Give a kid a toolbox, fill it with real, durable tools, and watch them take one step closer to becoming a more confident, capable human being.