This review is on the Build-It-Yourself Woodworking Kit by Lakeshore Learning Company. It is geared for children ages 4-11 years old. It includes a little wooden tray box with over 80 pieces including a small hammer, ruler, glue, nails, sandpaper, and lots of wood in various shapes and sizes. It also includes an instruction book to build up to seven projects including an airplane, train, bird-feeder and coin bank. The wood is pre-cut smooth, soft, and ready to go. The price for this kit is $34.99.

My three boys ages 7-9 absolutely loved this kit. They started out making the projects in the instruction book using the quick drying glue and had a blast. The other projects in the booklet didn’t interest them and so they relished the chance to be creative with the remaining wood pieces. I am pretty sure it was getting to use a hammer that was just right for them and not too heavy that made this project extra spectacular from their stand point. They have asked if I would purchase another kit so that they can build more things. I will definitely get another kit at some point, because anything that keeps them off electronics and builds a skill set at the same time is a winner in my book. They were so proud of the coin bank they made me for Mother’s Day because it was something that they created themselves and didn’t go to a store and buy.

I would whole-heartedly recommend this product as a fun hands-on activity to anyone with children in this age group. It requires very little parent supervision if using just the wood glue and a little more if they are using the hammer and nails. Even my non-reader was able to look at the illustrations and put his project together without my help after I helped him measure the wood with the ruler to make sure he was using the correct pieces. My kids had fun painting their projects upon completion which led to more creative art time. I appreciate the products that Lakeshore Learning puts out that gets children engaged in brain enhancing activities and away from glowing screens. I am pleased to add another item to my list of products that meets this requirement and that also make great gifts.

-Product review by Audrey Tolle, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, July, 2016