Introducing Kids to Construction Tools

If you are like us, who has no means of doing some carpentry work, then this post is for you!  For one thing, my father and his entire family are carpenters.  They make furnitures, build houses and buildings in my home city and I remember spending most of my time during summer vacation in construction sites managed by my grandfather.  This is the reason why at a young age, I know how to use most carpentry materials despite my mom’s warnings.  Sadly those skills weren’t passed to the new generations.  But that doesn’t mean we can’t expose our kids to this simple carpentry work like hammering, using nuts and bolts, drilling and the like.  And of course, with the advent of IKEA, we need to somehow teach them all about DIYs and these basic tools. 

In this post, I’m sharing our learning toys and materials in exposing my 3 years old to some of these construction tools to acquire those basic skills .

TAKE A PART TOY
We love this toy very much!  My husband purchased this for the kids and it’s been a favourite toy in the house ever since!  Both of the boys love it so it’s not just for 3 years old, my eldest (turning 9) loves to put the truck together and taking it apart.  There are a lot of take apart toys to choose from, but I love our Battat (Battat Take-A-Part Toy Vehicles Crane Green).  It’s sturdy and the size is big, no small parts that can be a danger to small kids.  And because it’s made of plastic, it’s safe to let your 3 years old work on it independently. On that note, Vito doesn’t want me to intervene when he’s playing with it by way   He’s not letting me hold the drill, he just keeps on asking “what’s next” if I prompt him.

Grab the opportunity to introduce the tools when you’re playing with this.  Name them, describe and show them what does it do.  Below you can see Vito using the motorized power tool in tightening the bolt.  The tool tips included are also big/long enough to be held and twisted manually.  So the child has the option of not using the motorized power tool .




MONTESSORI NUT AND BOLTS
This is the Montessori nuts and bolts and it helps them practice how to use a wrench and how to loosen and tighten the nuts and bolts.  Vito would play on this occasionally.  The only time he’s engaged with it is when he uses a wrench, though I also told him that he can also use his fingers to unscrew the bolts.  Mavi loves this though, he wants me to time him at times to check how fast he can work on all of these.


HAMMERING TOY
Nothing special, just a simple hammering toy from IKEA but a favourite as well.  So instead of actual metal nails and a heavy hammer it makes use of a wooden hammer and some plastic rods. What I love about this is it’s hammer. It’s not too small or big or heavy, just enough for the kids to use.  And I have to confess, it’s engaging not just for the kids but to me as well. I would find myself at times playing with this, pounding the bars here and there   Husband taught Vito how to use both of his hands, one hand holding the bar while the other hand holding the hammer.  It amazes me that he can do this without hitting his hand (because I would hit my hand before using a real hammer and a real nail).  I actually have a video of him playing with this toy here.

TAP TAP ART
This is a popular learning toy (HABA Geo Shape Tack Zap Large Imaginative Design 100 Piece Set) in the homeschool world got it years ago through Amazon (owned and used by Mavi, Ultimate Collection of Practical Life Activities).  The same carpentry skills can be acquired here, plus a little bit of imagination .  This toy is suited for older kids since there are parts that can be mouthed by toddlers or small children.


IDENTIFYING CONSTRUCTION TOOLS
And since we’re obsessed with Safari Tools TOOB, I got this for the boys when it was on sale in Amazon.  I was surprised that they’re actually bigger!  So many play pretend, inquiries and counting using these tool figures!  Now, for the best part, I brought Mavi to the hardware store to look for the real counterpart of these tools.  It was actually fun!  He was surprised to see that these tools come in different sizes! 

Here’s a closer look of the Safari Tools TOOB.  They’re gorgeous and I love them!

The cards used are from my Toobs Matching Cards Bundle Pack which is currently on SALE in my TpT shop.  The know more about this product, click the image below or click here.

You can also check out these materials I’ve been wanting to have, they’re great as well!

• Battat Take apart Airplane
• BRIO Builder Construction Set
• Black and Decker Junior Tool Box
• Theo Klein Bosch Car Repair with Car Wash Playset

If there’s a means you can the do the “real thing” that’s perfect, but for us who has a limited space in the apartment and always indoors due to constraint in weather, this will do.  What I really hope though is if ever we go for a trip back in our home country, we’ll get to do some “real work”.