Make room for kids’ craft sessions in your own workspace. And if you don’t have a space yet, maybe now’s a good time to change that. Whatever the case, expect a kid-generated mess, though don't let it go without comment. The main value of having kids in the workshop is the lessons it teaches them. Cleanliness and order are good ones to start with. Explain how to clean up after a work session and why. Demonstrate the value of good tools and how to maintain them. In fact, over maintain if you have to, just to make a point. Oil pliers, keep screwdrivers clean, protect saw teeth with plastic guards, and teach kids to keep an organized toolbox.

While it's important to set safety limits on the type of tools that can be used, small cuts and scrapes aren't the end of the world. Don't sanitize the building process to the point where it's completely free of every conceivable danger. Working with your hands involves risk. That’s true for all of us. Define the risk, explain how to work safely, monitor kids' performance, make them where safety equipment, then get the band-aids ready. “Oliver has gleaned a few good cuts and scrapes through

his learning curve”, explains Carla, “but nothing serious enough to require stitches or medical attention other than some cleaning and love from mama or papa.”

Teaching kids to enjoy the process of working with real tools fell out of favour decades ago. And that’s too bad, especially when you consider how many adults are now working at a desk when they really might prefer the good money and practical challenge of something more hands-on. And how many times have you heard about the shortage of skilled trade workers in Canada, yet wonder why this old lament never seems to go away? The problem is a cultural bias that directs young people into the trades only as a last resort, after academic pursuits have been abandoned. I hope it’s not too much to expect that pleasant, childhood experiences with tools might help change the second-class rating of manual skills. Perhaps I'm dreaming. But even if I am, mixing kids and tools is still worthwhile because it’s so much fun. And that's reason enough for me.

Since teaching the value of organization is one of the most important workshop lessons, always start your kids’ education with a toolbox. All-metal models are worth buying, as are plastic ones with metal hinge pins and clasps. Avoid inexpensive plastic boxes, especially the ones with pinless hinges that are simply flexible pieces of plastic. These are destined to fail and they do, devastating the hearts of little owners in the process. How would you feel if the door of your brand new car broke off in the driveway? That’s the equivalent of toolbox lid failure in the eyes of a kid. Remember, you’re building confidence as well as the start of a lifelong tool collection. Only buy items capable of proving that durability is real.