Home Depot for Kids

  The weekend is my downtime.  There's less running around with errands and more time to lounge.  The kids have their time and I have my time.  I do enjoy taking the kids to different events on the weekend.  The weekend with its slow pace is a time for us to enjoy each other.

  This past Saturday and every first Saturday of the month is a kids workshop at Home Depot.  The event starts at 9 runs until noon or when the kits are all given out.  There is registration online required at some locations.

  Each child that attends the workshop is given
                  an apron

 a sealed kit

                  a certificate of

completion and a pin!

  The tables are prepared with the necessary items for that particular kit.  Just a hammer and wood glue was the necessary items for today's kit.

         Some events have paint available!

  Open you kit and line up all your pieces. This months project was a Valentines Bean Bag Toss.

 Every kit has instructions! Most of the time they are easy to follow along too!

Then guide you child into the building process.

 

I started the first nail on each side and the kids finished the rest of them.  Yes, they have hit their fingers in the past but, have gotten much better at paying attention and keeping their hands out of the way!

There were stickers to apply to this item as there usually is. Definitely an easy step for all ages.

My son even tried the game when he was done.  He was very satisfied with his new craft.

Each month I try to make it.  My kids enjoy the building part of it.  That independence and finished project that they make is huge to them.  I like that it is a free event, the kids walk away with something they made and it's fun family time.

Registration starts about a week or two out from that first Saturday so don't forget to sign your child up.  I'm sure they will have just as much fun as my kids.

Friday Fun

  Another toy of my youth was Lincoln Logs.  There's something about these logs that are very entertaining. Endless opportunities to build.

  The easiest thing I have found for construction of a log home is to get the pieces assorted.

  I will admit that there was initially a fight to grab all the big pieces because that's a requirement for a house but surprisingly one child took off in a different creative spin.

A rocket was made!

Then all of a sudden I had a parking lot full of cars.    My imagination as a child never went to these two creative spots.

 Let's decide what is going to be built and get building!

The foundation needs to be laid down.

Keep in mind where your property is going to be because you can't move the structure very easily once it's built.

More then one house can be built and located anywhere.  This one was not built under a table it was on a hill under the trees. 

Every town needs a store!

Now I have had these toys since childhood and they have survived.  The kids love when I pull them out because it's a new toy to them and it's fun to build.  Its neat to watch them figure out where to put pieces.  They haven't seen a real log cabin home in person that would be a fun family trip! After that experience they may ask for more logs to build more variations.

Were Lincoln Logs in your home? I think I even seem them in the store so that's nice that they are still selling them!

Wordless Wednesday

Another Saturday got us out the house to

have fun and hang out thanks to +Lowe's .  One Saturday a month (sometimes twice) they offer kids workshops.  Preregistration is required in advance of the date and bring the waiver with you.  Arrive on time as if there are individuals waiting they may get your project if your more than 15 minutes late.

The projects are easy for the most part.  To be honest with you I have had some trouble with a few kits.

When you arrive you give the associate your waiver and she provides you with the building kit and a hammer.

  Open the kit match your pieces and get busy!  There are step by step directions for the whole process.

Sometimes your project does require stickers to be applied.  This is one area I let my kids struggle with.  Otherwise I do help in nailing straight or accuratly and assembling various parts.

Depending on the project plan to be there 15 minutes or up to 30 or 45 minutes.  This week was an easy one. 

My kids enjoy attending these.  They like the ability to fumble and push on in completing their own projects.  They appreciate the toy as the end result.  

To top the cake is receiving that certificate.  My kids are so happy to hear they did a good job and for her to hand them a certificate and badge for their apron.  Not only did they complete a product they are rewarded.

Look up your local Lowe's to see when registration for their next upcoming workshop is and what the project will be.  Go make memories with your kids! 

  

Kids workshop

Free event for children under 12! Lowe's and Home Depot offer children's workshops in most areas.  Today I wanted to showcase these family friendly events.  I have been taking my youngest daughter for years and it's amazing how much better she is getting.  These workshops are helping her in more ways than just the basic assembly.  She's learning new skills, patience, reading, math and having fun along the way.

Home Depot projects are the first Saturday of the month start time is 9.  You are suggested to register online to provide them with a headcount.  Lowe's is the second Saturday of the month and you NEED to register the 2nd Monday before the event.  Lowes start time is 10 am and will hand out leftover projects at 10:15 to a first come first serve line.  When you register online you also will be printing out a waiver to bring with you.

The summer time brings on more projects every other week with a specific theme.  Lowe's is going with an Avenger's theme.  You missed this week but the next signup is June 15th with a workshop on June 27th.

The children not only walk away with a project they completed by themselves or with the help of mom or dad but an apron, certificate, and badge (Lowe's) or pin (Home Depot).

I have gotten better with helping my daughter but as I look back it wasn't really as hard as I thought!

Here is this week's kit and the tool necessary for the job!

The directions! They are usually cut and draw.  At this point we usually line up all our pieces with the top picture to follow along easier.

This project was easy this week. It was perfect for little hands to

hammer

 apply stickers

 hammer some more

 apply more stickers!

The end result is a tribute to the Avenger's for this summer series.

She is always happy with her completed project.  It is always different and she is getting much better at her abilities.  She did start out with hammering her fingers and is now starting nails off herself!  Sign up for the 27th opened today to log on to Lowe's for this great event and series.

http://lowesbuildandgrow.com/pages/default.aspx

Don't forget to check out Home Depot for thier children's workshops to:

http://workshops.homedepot.com/workshops/kids-workshops?cm_sp=vanity-_-Kidsworkshops-_-DEC13