Parents are finding creative ways to work with their children on home improvements. ‘Our members have discovered that with the right instruction, kids can genuinely help speed up DIY projects – and home improvements can be turned into a fun family activity,’ says Allison Crisp, one of our family experts.
Industrial courses are no longer as prevalent at schools, and with kids increasingly interested in technology and indoor activities, the onus is now more than ever on the parent to provide general home maintenance skills.
While home maintenance may have fallen down the priority list, it has not become less useful. Now, as ever, basic home improvement skills can equip children with the know-how to deal with everyday maintenance issues.
‘The key is to make it fun,’ says Allison. ‘If you can show your children that working on a home improvement project can be both enjoyable and a good way to spend time together, you’re halfway there.’
Bringing the kids on board
There are several simple jobs around the house that kids can do. Ideally, they should be involved from stage one – buying the tools and equipment, planning the job and ultimately being part of the work. That said, it is important to remember that – for children at least – this is more about spending quality time with a parent than fixing a broken ladder.
Each task should be age-appropriate; in other words, tasks should not be too complex or too simple, otherwise the child could feel confused or lose interest.
A good first step is to buy a child his or her own tool kit; that way, he or she not only gets to enjoy a whole new set of gadgets but also feels integral to the job. Once you are both kitted out you can get down to some simple tasks, a few of which are listed below. ‘Call us to discuss sourcing tools for kids that our experts recommend, or to talk over other kinds of projects that can become a family affair,’ says Allison.
Taking it outdoors
More often than not, kids love animals. Members with gardens have found that building a birdhouse or feeder in the garden can be a good way of being outdoors, dealing with nature and getting kids excited about the prospect of visiting wildlife.
For those with that outdoor space, a vegetable patch or flowerbed is a constantly rewarding area that will get kids out in the fresh air and teach them valuable lessons about the origins of the food they eat.
Outdoor furniture is also a winner. A job as simple as giving your existing furniture a fresh lick of paint is easy and fun – all the more so if kids are given a piece of furniture to decorate in their very own style.
Keeping it safe
When kids work with heavy-duty tools they are exposed to risk, so taking precautions is paramount. Young children should not be allowed near power tools and older children should be supervised at all times. As an example to them, it is wise to overcompensate when it comes to safety – you should wear safety goggles even when not absolutely necessary, for instance.
Home improvement experts agree that until a child is about eight years old it is not advisable to allow them near any dangerous tools whatsoever, but there is always something for younger children to do that is safe, fun and even helpful.
‘Many of our members found the idea of doing home improvements with kids to be a recipe for disaster – after all, children get bored easily and can even slow work down. But when an effort is made to involve children, it can become a rewarding experience for both of you,’ says Allison.
