Easy DIY Woodwork Projects – Summer holidays with a tween

Welcome to my mini-series of inspiring tweens to be creative over the summer. How about a week focussing on woodwork? My husband and I are united in the thought that if we don’t teach our children DIY skills no one will.  There is no doubt it can be nerve-racking handing an electric drill to a tween, but with good supervision, great projects can be made together. My children love the feeling of accomplishment when they make a project (I may have mentioned before that it is one of my regrets that I was never taught any woodwork skills at school). Develop new skills with your tweens with these easy DIY woodwork projects.

Easy DIY Woodwork Projects

Bird Houses – These can be such fun, decorated with maps, fabric, all sorts. I particularly love the recycled/upcycled feel of this birdhouse one from Running With Sisters. You can find instructions to make a bird house here.

Easy Tablet Stand – There are lots of tutorials for IPAD stands out there, but this one is straight forward using basic tools. Find the tutorial at That’s My Letter.

DIY Driftwood Mirror – the instructions for this gorgeous mirror are detailed, using a jigsaw to cut out the frame. I suspect, with patience, you could find a round mirror already constructed and decorate. This project from sustain my craft habit involves some skill but it is so gorgeous I couldn’t resist including it!

DIY Chalk Board Calendar – this project is a little more involved, but step by step achievable. Find the tutorial at That’s My Letter. Your tween will be able to see at a glance their personal calendar.

Wood Wall Art – Find a collection of random items, pieces of wood, rusty objects, chalk paint – have fun creating a mixed media collage. You can use a glue gun to adhere the various objects together.

These wood collages were made by my children as my birthday present, my favourite gifts by far:)

Check out the previous posts in this crafting with tweens series for some fabulous inspiration, Printing and Pebbles. I hope you are managing to squeeze creativity into your no doubt busy summer,