My 10-year-old has been eager to build a bridge over the small creek in our backyard for the last three years. I've suggested starting with simpler projects since she finds them 'boring', but I want her to get involved and learn along the way without losing interest when things get tough. The creek isn't deep, and we're aiming for a bridge that's only a couple of feet high and about 10 feet long.
I've come up with a plan to level up our skills through smaller projects. For instance, we could start with building a birdhouse to design the bridge, then move on to a toolbox for clearing the site, and eventually work towards building a bench for the base posts, leading up to making the actual bridge.
I'm looking for fun project ideas that can teach her follow-through and useful skills while keeping her engaged and motivated. Any thoughts?
3 Answers
Why not start with a simple design? Maybe a tiny version of what you want to build. You could try a miniature model to test the ideas before going for the real thing. Encourage her to think of ways to improve as she builds each version. It’d be a fun project with room for creativity!
I think it's great that you want your kid to be involved! But honestly, I’d recommend just diving in! Building a simple bridge isn't as complicated as it sounds, and your kid might feel like the smaller projects are just postponing the fun. You can teach her tons of skills like measuring, setting posts, and cutting wood while you work on the bridge together. Maybe say you’ll guide her through the project as a team effort? That way, she gets to build the bridge without losing interest.
Just start small and keep it simple! You could use cinder blocks and a few planks—let her experiment with what she builds. It’s hands-on learning, and she'll have a blast making something and seeing it come together. Plus, if she fails a bit, that's all part of the learning process!