Make Wooden Boats

Workshop Overview

This hands-on workshop is tailored for children aged 3-5, with a specific focus on 4-year-olds. It introduces the concept of mitre-cuts and provides young participants with an opportunity to develop fundamental woodworking skills. The project encompasses tasks such as reading numbers, preparing wood for sawing, clamping, performing mitre-cuts, surface finishing, gluing, and hammering. Throughout the workshop, children will get to create a fleet of wooden boats for their kindergarten. They'll be using untreated pine wood, carpenter's pencils, squares, clamps, pull saws, saw guides, sanding blocks, a range of sanding paper grits, mallets, dowels, and wood glue. While four children can actively participate at a time, others will have the opportunity to observe and learn, taking their turn when it comes around. This project aligns with Te Whāriki and Mana Whenua, actively fostering teamwork. As children collaborate, they cultivate positive social skills by taking turns, listening to each other's ideas, and offering assistance. This experience instils a sense of pride and enhances their sense of self-worth as they recognize their contribution to the group. The children's handmade wooden boats create a strong sense of pride and ownership, deepening their connection to the learning environment as they navigate their creations. We recommend scheduling this workshop between 9 am and noon, as this is when children are most alert and receptive to learning. We supply all the necessary items for a successful woodworking session, including a workbench, tools, materials, and safety gear. The workshop requires a sheltered outdoor or indoor area with a flat surface, ideally around 3x3 meters in size.