Building More Than Just Projects
The Lasting Benefits of Tinkering Together
Recently I inherited some tools and sentimental treasures from my father’s woodshop. As I opened one of the cabinets, the scent of sawdust and varnish took me back to my childhood, to a world of endless possibilities built from model train tracks, wood, glue, and imagination. For the better part of my childhood, my father and I embarked on an epic journey to create a railroad train set that would make any model enthusiast proud. Little did I know then that we were building so much more than just a miniature world of tracks and trains – we were laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning, creativity, and bonding.
Recently I had an opportunity to visit the a local model railroading club. Like the cabinet I just received from Dad, it brought back fond memories of the craft I was able to be a part of many years ago. It was amazing to learn from some of the club members there that they had been a part of the work there for fifty years.
In today's digital age, it's easy to forget the magic that happens when young hands grasp real tools and transform raw materials into tangible creations. But woodworking and "making" activities are secret weapons in raising well-rounded, capable, and confident children. Let me take you on a journey through the wonderful world of making, and show you why it's so important for our kids.
Imagine struggling with fractions in school, only to find yourself in the workshop, where those pesky numbers suddenly make perfect sense. Woodworking and making projects are STEM playgrounds where abstract concepts come to life. When I was measuring and cutting pieces for our train set, math was practical. It wasn't just numbers on a page anymore; it was the difference between a perfect fit and a wobbly house. Physics wasn't just a textbook subject; it was understanding why our bridges needed support and how to balance the weight of our trains.
Every project we tackled was a puzzle waiting to be solved. Dad would often step back and let me figure things out, gently guiding me when I got stuck. This approach taught me to think critically, to troubleshoot, and to find creative solutions. These problem-solving skills have served me well throughout my life, far beyond the confines of our basement workshop.
But, making isn't just about learning hard skills. It’s about relationships and it's a canvas for creativity, where ideas take shape in the most literal sense. I remember sketching out designs for custom buildings on scraps of paper, then working with Dad to bring them to life. Why settle for a generic neighborhood when we could build one with houses we had lived in as a family? This process of dreaming, designing, and creating fostered an inventor's mindset that has stayed with me to this day.
As we worked on our railroad and custom town, I didn't realize I was also developing my motor skills. The precise cutting, careful gluing, and intricate detailed painting worked wonders for my hand-eye coordination. Connecting and using the electrical connections prepared me for a career in educational technology. And learning to use tools responsibly? That was like gaining a real-life superpower – the ability to create and fix things, coupled with a healthy respect for safety.
In our instant-gratification world, projects with Dad taught me the lost art of patience and perseverance. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was our miniature world. Each small addition or improvement was a lesson in long-term vision and the value of sustained effort. When mistakes happened – and they did – Dad taught me to see them not as failures, but as design opportunities in disguise. With every challenge we overcame, I learned that skills improve with practice and effort, developing a growth mindset that has been invaluable throughout my life.
In today's busy world, making projects carve out precious moments of undivided attention between parent and child. It wasn't just about how to use a saw or apply glue; it was life lessons disguised as project tips. Dad's wisdom, passed down as we worked together, has stayed with me far longer than any lecture could have. We were building more than a train set; we were creating traditions and life lessons that have lasted for years.
There's an indescribable pride in pointing to a physical object and declaring, "I made that!" In a digital world, where so much of what we do exists only on screens, there's something special about creating things you can touch and use. Each new technique I mastered built my confidence, not just in woodworking, but in my ability to learn and accomplish goals. This 'can-do' attitude extended far beyond those days, influencing how I approached challenges in school and, later, in my career.
Looking back, I realize that our workshop was also a career exploration space. The skills I learned – designing, problem-solving, working with different materials – planted seeds for future interests and passions. Today's young makers could be tomorrow's engineers, designing innovations that change the world. They might become artisans, finding fulfillment in specialized trades, or entrepreneurs, using their understanding of how things are made to innovate better solutions
As I reflect on those years spent creating our HO scale railroad, I realize the true value wasn't in the final product. It was in the laughter shared over misaligned tracks, the problem-solving skills honed with each new challenge, and the confidence built with every completed section. It was in the quiet moments working alongside my dad, learning not just about woodworking, but about life.
To all the parents out there: I encourage you to grab some materials, gather some tools, and embark on a making adventure with your kids. You're not just building projects; you're constructing the foundation for a lifetime of learning, creativity, and cherished memories. The birdhouse you start today might just be the first step in an amazing journey of discovery for your child.
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