Getting Your Kids Involved with DIY Projects

We all have them… small projects on the to-do list for around the home that never seem to get done, what for all the distractions that life keeps us busy with… namely our children.

But, hold on just one second! What if we actually got the kids involved  with some of those projects? After all, it would keep their little hands busy for awhile, you’d be able to check something off your to-do list for a change, and (best of all) you’d be creating memories.

Here are a few ideas from HA Construction for including your kids in home projects, and bonding with them in new ways.

Simple Tasks

Start with the easy things to help your child build confidence. Give him or her little projects around the house such as:

• Tightening screws in the door knob
• Replacing lightbulbs (a great learning opportunity on electricity and ladder safety)
• Changing batteries in the smoke detectors
• Replacing the furnace filter

Paint a Room

Number one on the “get your kids involved” list is painting a room together. Yes, it’s messy. And, yes, they won’t have the skills of a professional painter. But you will have a blast doing it together and (bonus!) the dining room will finally get done!

Start by removing all the excess furnishings and completely covering the floor in drop clothes – you certainly don’t want to take any chances with small hands likely to splatter paint in any direction. To prevent tracking paint into other rooms, buy disposable plastic shoe covers (they look a lot like shower caps that go over your shoes). Instruct your kids to put them on when they’re in the room painting, and take them off right at the door if they have to leave the room for any reason.

Now that you have the messy aspects of the project taken care of, show your kids how it’s done. For older children, let them help you tape things off. And most all kids can handle a roller and the lower portion of the wall while you do the trim. But before you commence painting the “right” way, take some smaller brushes and draw/write on the walls with the paint. Write your names, draw pictures of each other, outline each other on the wall – anything to make it loads of fun before the serious part begins. It wouldn’t hurt to have a little paint fight if they get board later in the process either.

Landscaping

What kid doesn’t love getting his hands dirty? While we’re not talking the perfect placement of stone for a beautiful walkway, there are many parts of the landscaping process that your kids would love to get involved in. Give her a trowel and tell her where to dig holes for your annual flowers. Have him help you spread mulch around before the fall frost. Take her out once a week with you and have a contest to see who can pull the most weeds.

You can even take your kids to the plant nursery with you so that they can each pick out their own special plant to add to your landscape beauty. It will be theirs to care for and watch grow. What a special way to get them involved.

Build Something

For younger kids, take on a small project such as a window planter or bird house. Older kids and teens do well to help with larger projects, such building a shed. Have them help to spot you on the ladder when you’re up high (even if you don’t need it), and hand you the tools you need – both tasks make them feel important. There are also several ways your kids can use tools to feel like they’ve accomplished something, without the large risk for injury, including:

• Reading the bubble in the level for you
• Removing nails with a hammer
• Measure for you before you cut
• Use a manual screwdriver (great time to teach “lefty-loosy/righty-tighty”)

Creating Memories, too

Getting your kids involved with these activities is not just about knocking them off the to-do list – it’s really about building memories and teaching life skills. With that in mind, remember to be patient. Don’t put too much on your child at once. Involving your children changes the purpose of the project – it’s no longer about efficiency and perfection, but about your kids. After all, we’re learning here!

It takes a lot of patience, so you’re going to have to overcome the urge to snatch the hammer out of your daughter’s hand and do it yourself. Learning takes time, so pick your projects carefully and utilize the opportunity to build your child’s self-esteem – congratulate him on a job well done (even if it doesn’t meet your standards!).

Finally, if you’re going to invite your kids to join you at the hardware store, don’t bother telling them it will be fun – there is nothing more boring than watching you go through paint samples or chose the right sized screw. Instead, use it as a learning opportunity and then go do something fun afterward, like playing at the park.