Most Saturday mornings Jason whisks the kids off to Lowe's or Home Depot for an hour. Though helpful when we need a new tool, a gallon of paint or some flowers, the outing is way more fun than an errand. Both stores host free monthly kids workshops. With a parent's help, the kids crack open a building kit, take a few swings with a hammer and learn to follow instructions.
I was skeptical at first. I mean, really, how much can the kids really manage on their own? Is it more of a gimick to get families in the super store?
But the kits are creative and impressively manageable for kids. Jason helps walk ours through the steps as they assemble, glue and place tiny nails into position. At 3, Gavin still needs a fair amount of help, but Natalie is almost independent. That kid can hammer! In fact, she's so accurate that I held the nails for her and never once did she even nick one of my fingers. I don't think I'm even so precise.
And it's because of these workshops that she's gotten so good. Soon Gavin will have many of the same construction skills.
To make the outings even more fun, both stores give the kids mini worker aprons. Also, as they complete each project they earn a badge or pin to display on their aprons. After a certain high number of badges, Lowe's even awards the kids with their own mini hammers. We're still working our way to those.
The kids also receive a certificate at the completion of each project. But, you already know how I feel about those. I guess no activity is perfect.
On rare instances, we paint them when we get home.
Interior paint sample bottles with built-in brushes are perfect for the job.
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