Question about soap carving kit

[Midnight Carver]

My niece is interested in learning to carve, but she is only 7. Neither of her parents carve, and we only see them twice a year, so I can't help. I saw a soap carving kit with the book "Carving in Soap", 3 wooden carving tools and some soap. Does anyone have an opinion on a kit like this, or is there a better option?

Thanks
Eric

[SlowMover]

I have never carved sope, nor seen this kit so I can't comment on them. What I can comment on is that I would encourage your neice any way you can. The main reason a kid doesn't follow through with their intrests is lack of opportunity or lack of adult support. At 7 they just don't have the resources to tackle new things as well as older kids...so we need to help them. I know that knives are probablly not a good idea at that age, how about clay, molding things into sculptural form, thats sort of like reverse carving in my mind..it's safe and creative. Maybe you can send her a kit made up of books and supplies for molding clay or some similar substance, then work with her when you can. Just a thought,

[Miehas]

I have shaped Popsicle sticks into carving tools. I have also heard of using plastic picnic knives.
My 7 year old son like to grab a bar of ivory soap and the "tools" I made when I go out to the patio to carve. I always have to try hard to guess what he is carving, but he is getting better and his "knife" handling is getting pretty good (practice makes perfect).

Ivory soap is so soft the tools do not have to be very sharp to carve it.

Paul

[SeaLeveler]

My daughter started at 5 with a pocket knife sharpening sticks with close supervision then moved on to using my chisels on juniper.The wood was clamped down and she was using a glove.The only problem you would have there is not being with her long enough to supervise closely.In that case you would be better with clay or wax.Tony

[Big John]

I picked up one of the books and kits for my girls (10 & 13). The popsicle stick tools are good for the soap and are easy to duplicate if necessary. Check also, on line, for soap carving. Lot of stuff to keep the young-uns busy.

[squbrigg]

Why not carve her a couple of "carving knives"? Use a hard wood and shape and size them to fit her small hands. I did that for my granddaughter and she loves them. Also, send her a couple of simple carvings so she has something to go by, like an egg, a heart, or a turtle.

Bob