working with wood allows children to appreciate a natural material, as well as giving them opportunities to use tools and learn skills. Some clubs are put off from trying their hand at woodwork by a lack of resources, time or playworker expertise. But why not have a go with these simple ideas?
Balsa aeroplanes
Soft, pliable balsa wood is ideal for children learning woodwork skills. It can be bought from model shops in blocks and sheets of varying thickness.
You will need
* Thin balsa sheets * Craft knife * Sand paper * Plasticine
What to do
1 Simply draw the outline of the body of an aeroplane and a separate outline of the wings directly on to the balsa sheet.
2 Cut out both shapes with a craft knife.
3 Lightly sand the edges of the wood.
4 Cut a slit in the body of the plane large enough for the wings to be pushed through.
5 Slide the wings into position.
6 Weigh down the nose with a blob of plasticine to help it to fly.
Pop-up puppets
You will need
* Small block of balsa wood * Coarse and fine sandpaper * Dowel * Junior hacksaw * Hand drill * Yoghurt pot * Card * Scissors * Coloured pens and accessories
What to do
1 Make the puppet's head by sanding a small block of balsa wood into an oval shape - begin with a coarse sandpaper and end with a fine one for a smooth finish.
2 Cut a piece of dowel to length with a junior hacksaw and sand the ends.
3 Make a hole with the hand drill in the bottom of the head, big enough to accommodate the dowel securely so that the puppet is on a stick.
4 Make a hole in the bottom of a yoghurt pot and push the dowel through, so that the puppet will pop in and out.
5 Draw and cut out the top half of a body from card and stick it to the dowel, leaving a small gap under the head for a neck.
6 Add drawn features, stick on woollen hair and decorate the pot.
Marshmallow mountains
Cocktail sticks can be used for so many things - with safety guidelines regarding the points.
You will need
* Cocktail sticks * Mini marshmallows
What to do
1 Simply spear a marshmallow on to both points of a stick.
2 Then push a second stick into one of the marshmallows and add another on the end.
3 The beginnings of a structure will soon emerge. Leave plenty of time for this activity as children can become quite absorbed.
Lollipop card holders
These are ideal for children to hold their playing cards or trading cards.
You will need
* Lollipop sticks * PVA glue * Craft knife * Sand paper
What to do
1 Lay three sticks side by side and glue them together with PVA to make the front of the holder.
2 Stick two together for the base, and four for the back.
3 To make a side, cut 6mm off the top and bottom of two sticks, sand and then join them along the long edges.
4 Repeat for the other side.
5 Allow the glue to dry on each section and then glue the sections together.
6 The card holders can be decorated and then varnished with a coat of PVA glue mixed with water (equal parts).
Extension activities
Children can use the same method to create simple model houses, treasure boxes and so on by building sides up one at a time. If they're up for a miniature challenge, children can try the same method with craft matchsticks - but lots of patience is definitely required!
Hardwood
When the children are confident with handling woodwork tools you can progress on to hardwood. Bird feeders and toy vehicles are typical first projects (instructions at www.kidscanmakeit.com).
But it's not necessary to have end products in mind - children often enjoy sanding, sawing and hammering nails simply for the sake of it.
SAFETY POINTS
* Tools need to be sufficiently sharp for the job - blunt tools can be dangerous as children will use extra force to make them work, adversely affecting their control.
* Always use real tools, but try to use children's versions that are the proper size for small hands to handle.
* Ensure children are closely supervised, with one-to-one support when necessary.
* Ensure tools are stored safely when not in use.
* Safety eye wear and masks should be used when appropriate.
* Be aware that sawdust can be a trigger for children who have conditions such as asthma.
