how to get 11 yr. old boys interested in handicrafts?-and time?

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  • October 13, 2013 at 3:07 pm
    pjssully
    Participant

    Hi,

    I am wondering if anyone has any ideas of how to get my twins interested in handicrafts.  I showed them a book of wood projects-one where they could make stilts, even-and they had no interest.  I have a book on hold at my library on making bird houses, but I am almost afraid to show it to them!  Does anyone have any ideas?

    Also, when do I find the time to do this?  I find my kids are so anxious for school to end-mostly so they can go outside, which is good.  But I want to add in nature study yet, composers, and handicrafts.  I just don’t know where to find the time.  They only thing I think we could eliminate that CM didn’t do was vocabulary study.  Otherwise we do:

    Literature(they are reading Tom Sawyer), writing (IEW) Spelling Wisdom, oral (several/day) and 1 written narration /week, science (which is a text book now but I want to do something different in the new year)history,Latin, bible, analytical grammar,math (math u see), read aloud, poetry, picture study, shakespeare every other week.  I don’t see what I could cut besides the voc.  I will take any advice!!!

    Thanks so much

    pj

    October 13, 2013 at 4:57 pm
    nerakr
    Participant

    What are they interested in? Maybe woodworking just isn’t their thing. I consider legos handicrafts at this stage for my 9yo ds. There’s also a website, diy.org, that has tons of ideas in many areas.

    As to the time factor, how’s the climate where you are? It may be getting too cold to play outdoors much soon. Then maybe a couple of hours on a weekend?

    HTH,

    Karen

    October 14, 2013 at 2:31 am
    greenebalts
    Participant

    I’m so sorry, I have no idea what just happened 🙁

     

    I was trying to suggest building a model of something.  Our son just built this model tree house, which his sister has claimed for her Polly Pockets 🙂

     

    http://reflectionsfromdrywoodcreek.blogspot.com/2013/10/model-tree-house.html

     

    Blessings,

    Melissa

    October 14, 2013 at 10:58 am
    jeaninpa
    Participant

    I have not put a huge emphasis on handicrafts.  Rather, I have purchased materials for different things and have them available.  It seems as if all my children get interested in one thing, stick with it for a week or so and then move on, perhaps coming back to it again later.  My kids enjoy knitting on the Knifty Knitter, making “Native American” beaded bracelets (yes, even my boys like this, but they won’t wear them!)  braiding, cross-stitching, sewing (again, even my boys like this)  Last winter they all (ages 7-14)  got interested in shaping tiny little animal sculptures out of paper clips.  I thought it was really hilarious to see them all bent over paper clips with needle nose pliers and coming up with various shapes.  Useful?  No.  Creative?  Yes.  

    The point is that once again, the CM principle is to spread a feast before them and let them choose in this area.  

    October 14, 2013 at 11:07 am
    jeaninpa
    Participant

    Coming back to say that even though CM’s approach was for kids to make things that were useful, allowing them freedom in this area has led to more useful creations as they’ve gotten older.  This past summer my boys, ages 12, 14 and 15 built a pen for our ducks in the barn, built picnic tables from a plan and rebuilt the roof of our garage (with help, of course).  Next summer they’ll be building chicken tractors.  

    When they were younger they spent tons of time just building with Legos, and if that’s what your boys like, consider it a precursor to bigger things.

    October 14, 2013 at 8:29 pm
    ServingwithJoy
    Participant

    With boys handicrafts usually come from their own or their dad’s interests. You say they like to be outside – would they be interested in building something out there? How about making models? Collecting things and making prints? Ropes – my boys love knots and can tie them for all sorts of purposes.

    Bird houses are great, but maybe initially they would be more interested in models of cars or airplanes?

    Knives are a big hit around here, so carving was an easy sell to my boys – starting with butter knives and soap and gradually moving up from there.

    Do you have the Dangerous Book for Boys? Or we found a great book this summer called the Kids Handbook of Summer Activities. Full of neat projects that my boys have really enjoyed.

    Don’t forget that the SCM people include ‘life skills’ in with handicrafts. So we kind of look at fishing, archery and shooting, working on bikes, cleaning the car, gardening and yard work – all as handicrafts!

    Hope that gets the ball rolling – and that they hit on their first niche soon!

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