One of the unexpected results of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the free time many homeowners have had to work on DIY home improvement projects. Without any events or parties to go to, boredom quickly sets in so many people have chosen to tackle some long-anticipated projects. Additionally, for some of you, we know you’ve been home with a house full of kids since February or March. With school, camps, and other activities largely canceled due to COVID-19, we understand if you are quickly running out of ways to keep the little ones engaged and entertained. To help you out, we’ve compiled some ideas to help you kill two birds with one stone and enlist the kids to help you tackle your home improvement to-do list.
Why Work on Home Projects With Children
While of course, children will need supervision when embarking on home improvement projects, there are lots of benefits to working alongside your kids. First of all, it’s a great way to convince them to step away from some screen time and get a chance to bond with you on a project in which, once done, you can both enjoy a sense of accomplishment and pride. Practically, working on projects that require measuring is a stealthy way to sneak in some math skills as well. Of course, there are also the intangibles; working with your hands instills a sense of patience, ability, and independence that will be remembered for a lifetime.
Project Ideas:
- Install trim and/or paint a room
- Build a birdhouse
- Update cabinet hardware
- Build a raised garden bed
- Build a bookshelf
- Build a treehouse
- Build a cornhole set
- Powerwash your deck
- Replace deck boards
- Build a reading nook
Depending on your child’s age, their ability to participate in the above ideas will vary. Below are some tasks that children of almost any age can assist with:- Sanding
- Taking and noting measurements
- Choosing paint colors
- Mixing paint
- Counting and sorting hardware pieces
- Handing over tools
- Cleanup
- Painting
- Reading instructions
Working together with parents on special projects are often memories that will be retold for a lifetime. Consider your child’s age and ability and get creative with a project that you can complete together. We are in unprecedented times but that doesn’t mean we can’t make the best of the situation for our families. If you don’t already, we would love for you to follow @fairviewmillworkinc on Facebook and Instagram and if you do a project with your kids, we’d love to see it in our messages.
