[madmangil]

Usually some of the younger kids see me carving something while on a camping trip and want to take part. At 5-8 years old, not being mine, and not being a one on one closely monitored situation, they are very limited in what tools I can let them use. The question is, what would be a good project to have them start out with? It probably can't use a knife or power tool of any kind. It needs to be simple and produce a graphically recognizable result in a short amount of time (maybe 1-2 hours of kid time).

Usually I let them use a riffler or other type of file. Once I drew their initials in a piece of wood and let the 6 year old trace it by hitting a phillips screw driver with a small hammer.

Just looking for ideas - any would be appreciated.

[artolver]

I would take along some sculpy or polymer clay for kids that young. They really learn fast with that..
it's easy and it's safe
art

[squbrigg]

Good idea.....getting kids interested while camping. Kid love carving while in the woods, so they naturally come up with ideas....tigers, bears, rabbits, squirrls....but I've found boats are always easy for them and they can play with them later...with or without a sail, but a stick for a sail is always better.

Bob

[AlArchie]

The boat is a great idea, as they then have something toplay with....been big hits here! Another is that 5 minute owl. Even the youngest ones can handle that, and it can be done in basswood very easily and even pine worrks pretty well, as long as you don't get a hrd piece.

Al

[sheltiecarver]

One club I belong to starts the little 'uns out with Ivory soap, carved with a coupl'a popsicle sticks. One as is, one tapered to almost a point. You still gotta watch they don't fight or run with their "tools", but there won't be any cuts on tender little hands. Only drawback is the chips & soapdust are pretty messy - watch that they don't track them back to those expensive RVs. You could have them do a boat - use a twig for a mast & paper for sail - it will float 'cause it is Ivory soap, but if the mast is too big, it will float upside down. Animals are also great - I think there are a coupl'a books out there on soap carving you might try them, but kids are usually pretty imaginative - just don't let them start with something too complex. PS ivory soap is supposed to be environment safe. Don't be tempted to use generic white floating soap - it doesn't work nearly as well. Sounds like you're gonna have fun. Good luck! Sandy

[sheltiecarver]

AlArchie,
What 5 minute owl?? Could you show us (or me)? Sounds like a good one for carving demonstrations at fairs and such Thanx! Sandy

[Fishgap]

Great question. My 7-year-old recently completed a bear carving using Rasps and sanding blocks.

See Picture at fishgap.com under New. But that took around 5months to complete.

I have worked with children that are part of a traumatized family group on many occasions and had them simply carve a simple basic fishing lure shape using rasps and sanding blocks.

You can use bits and pieces of leftover basswood from other projects.

The shapes can be pre-cut in advance with a simple scroll saw.

They can then paint them with acrylic paint another fun activity.

The only cost involved would be for the eyescrews, 2 per lure.

One for the top and the other to connect the hook to, also you need little connector rings and hooks.

All of this can be picked up anywhere cheep. Wal-Mart or your favorite fishing shop.

That leaves the finish of your choice, Keep in mind that high loss takes longer to dry.

I have found that the children get very excited at the idea of a fishing lure even if they are not boys or into fishing as they all know someone who would love it. Dad, Grampa, Brother.

A gift of a hand made lure from your favorite child would be sure to bring smiles and a warm heart.

If you have any s Please don’t hesitate to ask.

Alfie

[AlArchie]

Sandy, here's the link for the owl. I've used this for scouts several times and it works up easy.

http://www.mindspring.com/~chipps96/club-owl.htm

Al

[Kenny_S]

I started the little Scouters(Wolf and Bears) in Ivory soap which I had cut a boot blank out and started them with plastic knives and progressed to basswood blanks and kinves when they became Boy Scouts. Taught the Wood Carving merit badge in Boy Scouts. Usually they carved the Kerchief slide of their patrols and block letters of their initals.

[sheltiecarver]

Thanks AlArchie!! I went there and made a copy of the instructions. I'll have us try a bunch at our next get-together. It looks just perfect for carving demos at fairs and farmer's markets (we get lots of invites for that sort of thing) Thanks again. Renews what I've believed for a long time -- Carvers are the most unselfish artists around. Now that I've started scrolling, I may have to expand that a bit. Sandy