Programs for Kids

Where curiosity meets craft.

Kids learn by doing — designing, measuring, building, and finishing real projects with safe tools and guided mentorship. From first-time makers to confident builders, there’s a path for every child.

Ages 6+
Small groups
All materials included
This week at Tinker Shed
Make • Measure • Build
  • Build a take-home project
  • Learn safe tool confidence
  • Explore STEAM through making
  • Finish with pride
Guided, calm, and hands-on — for curious kids.
STEAM learning

Build real things. Learn real skills.

At Tinker Shed, STEAM isn’t a worksheet — it’s a workshop. Kids design, measure, cut, assemble, and finish projects with guidance and safe tools, building confidence and practical skills that stay with them.

Hands-on learning
Safe, guided tools
Take-home projects
  • Science in your Hands
    Learn how materials behave - why grain matters, what makes structures strong, and how finishes change texture and durability.
  • Math that makes sense
    Measure, mark, use angles, work with proportions, and see geometry come alive in every build.
  • Engineering through making
    Plan, prototype, test, and improve. When something doesn't fit, kids learn how to problem-solve - calmly and confidently.
  • Art + Design thinking
    Sketch ideas, explore form and function, and add personality through shaping, sanding, and finishing touches.
Tool Confidence (safely)
Kids learn workshop rules, safe handling, and step-by-step tool use, always guided.
Materials & Exploration
Wood, plywood, bamboo, and even recycled materials, students learn what to choose and why.
Skill Progression
From simple builds to more advanced projects, sessions grow with your child’s ability and independence.
Pride in Finishing
Sanding, smoothing, painting, polishing, the moment they say “I made this” is the lesson.

Regular Classes

Outcomes

Our Regular Classes follow a carefully designed skills pathway that grows with your child. Each level introduces new tools, materials, techniques, and project styles—ensuring learners develop confidence, precision, creativity, and problem-solving through real woodworking and design-tech experiences.

Kids take home every project they build, reinforcing independence, pride, and craftsmanship.

Explore Class Levels
  • Tool Skills & Safety

    Children learn to use kid-friendly hammers, saws, drills, clamps, sanding blocks, and even supervised jigsaw sessions with strict safety training.

  • Material Exploration

    Students plan, measure, cut, assemble, finish, and improve—learning real design-thinking steps in age-appropriate ways.

  • Design Process

    They practice marking, cutting straight lines, shaping curves, drilling clean holes, using clamps, and sanding with progressive grits.

  • Craftsmanship & Accuracy

    By Level 3 and above, learners begin taking independent decisions, customizing designs, and completing multi-step builds with minimal help.

Modules Overview

Woodworking (Ages 5-8)

Children begin with the fundamentals of using real, age-appropriate tools in a safe and guided environment. They learn how to measure, cut, sand, and assemble simple wooden projects—building confidence, coordination, and essential craftsmanship skills. This track forms the foundation of the Tinker Shed skill pathway.

Design Technology (Ages 9+)

Older learners move into deeper problem-solving through woodworking, prototyping, and creative design challenges. They explore multi-step builds, functional mechanisms, and beginner electronics—learning how ideas become real, refined projects. This track enables kids to think, design, and build like young makers and innovators.

Woodworking Modules (Levels 1 - 5)

Level 1 - Foundation
Level 2 - Wacky Woodworker
Level 3 - Jigsaw Juggler
Level 4 - Sanding Supremo
Level 5 - Tools Toiler

Design Technology Modules (Levels 1 - 5)

Level 1 - Foundation
Level 2 - Builder
Level 3 - Designer
Level 4 - Ideator
Level 5 - Innovator
Workshops

Short, joyful builds - big confidence gains.

Our workshops are designed for quick wins: kids learn a skill, build something they’re proud of, and take it home the same day. Perfect for first-timers, weekend makers, and curious hands.

Bow & Arrow
Bow & Arrow
Straight lines. Safe skills. First machine confidence. A perfect intro to the jigsaw machine: safety, straight-line cutting, sanding, and decorating while building a functional bow model.
Duration: 90–120 min
Format: Guided machine workshop
Best for: Beginners (6+)
Chess Pieces (Pawn & Bishop) / Snowman / Tree
Chess Pieces (Pawn & Bishop) / Snowman / Tree
Introduction to woodturning (lathe basics). Students explore mounting, shaping, smoothing, and finishing while creating turned forms like chess pieces or themed characters.
Duration: 2 hrs
Format: Supervised lathe session
Best for: Ages 7+
Heart Coaster
Heart Coaster
Curves, creativity, and confident cutting. Practice curved cutting on the jigsaw, refine sanding, and personalize with creative finishing styles.
Duration: 90–120 min
Format: Guided build
Best for: Ages 6+
Bunny Planter
Bunny Planter
Straight + curved cutting in one project. Build a decorative planter while strengthening precision cutting, tool handling, and creative surface finishing.
Duration: 2 hrs
Format: Machine-assisted build
Best for: Ages 7+
Tissue House
Tissue House
Structure meets creativity. Cut straight and curved shapes, assemble panels, and transform flat wood into a functional tissue holder.
Duration: 2 hrs
Format: Guided structured build
Best for: Ages 7+
Catapult
Catapult
Build it. Launch it. Understand it. Cut complex curves, assemble components, and test a working catapult—learning force, motion, and basic mechanics.
Duration: 2.5–3 hrs
Format: Mechanical build workshop
Best for: Ages 8+
Candy Cart
Candy Cart
Precision cutting meets moving parts. Straight + curved cuts, sanding, decorating, and assembling wheels/structure for a functional mini cart.
Duration: 3 hrs
Format: Advanced guided build
Best for: Ages 8+
Animal House Clock
Animal House Clock
Design. Cut. Assemble. Tell time. Combine cutting precision with clock mechanism installation to create a functional themed wall clock.
Duration: 3 hrs
Format: Build + mechanism installation
Best for: Ages 8+
Music Box
Music Box
Small details. Big precision. Fine-detail cutting, sanding, and installing a working music mechanism—finished with creative decoration.
Duration: 3 hrs
Format: Precision build workshop
Best for: Ages 9+
Not sure which workshop fits?
Tell us your child’s age and interests — we’ll recommend a great first build.
Birthdays

A birthday they’ll remember — because they made something real.

Skip the noisy party halls and disposable games. At Tinker Shed, birthday celebrations are hands-on, creative, and meaningful — where kids build, explore, and take home something they’re proud of.

Hands-on celebration
Kids don’t just watch — they design, build, and finish a project during the party.
Guided by makers
Our instructors handle tools, safety, and flow, so parents can relax and enjoy.
Small groups, real focus
We keep groups intentional, ensuring every child is involved and supported.
A keepsake that lasts
Each child leaves with a project they built — not a plastic return gift.
Kids and instructors engaged in a birthday workshop session
What's included
  • Guided woodworking / maker activity
  • All materials, tools, and safety gear
  • Customizable project theme
  • Time for creativity, collaboration, and fun
  • Take-home project for every child
Recommended for ages 6+. Group size and duration can be customized.
Design Mentorship

For kids ready to go deeper — and build with purpose.

Design Mentorship is a guided, long-term journey for kids who show strong interest in making, problem-solving, and design. It’s where curiosity turns into capability.

Personal guidance
Each child works closely with a mentor who understands their interests, pace, and learning style.
Design thinking in practice
Kids learn how to research, plan, prototype, test, and improve — not just build once and move on.
Skill depth, not shortcuts
From precision measuring to advanced joins, finishing, and tool confidence, skills develop step by step.
Growing independence
As confidence grows, kids take more ownership — making decisions, solving problems, and refining ideas.
What mentorship looks like
  • Long-term, mentor-guided sessions
  • Personalized projects based on interests
  • Progressive skill development
  • Design reviews and reflection
  • Portfolio-worthy outcomes
Recommended for ages 8+. Entry is interest-based, not age-based.