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TWG Kids

TWG Kids Mentor Guide

Practical teaching resources for mentors who inspire the next generation of woodworkers.

Start Here Safety & Readiness
Adult using a hand tool on timber while a child watches from beside the work area
The adult controls the tool task

Safety Foundation

Safety is our foundation.

A prepared space, the right habits, and clear expectations help every young woodworker succeed.

Prepare the space

Clear the bench, set the light, manage cords, and choose stable workholding.

Personal protection

Set eye, hearing, dust, clothing, and hair protection before tools move.

Tool readiness

Adult checks the tool, material, guard, setup, and stopping point before the lesson.

Supervision & culture

Use a visible stop signal, one clear job, calm corrections, and a real cleanup.

Run the session

A practical loop for the adult at the bench.

Use the same sequence for a first sanding session, a source-linked project, or a small club station. The learner gets a real job, while the adult owns readiness and tool boundaries.

  1. 1. Ready the spaceClear the bench, choose stable workholding, set lighting and dust control, and make the stop signal explicit.
  2. 2. Match readinessPick one skill and one project that the learner can explain. If the setup needs a new tool or unsafe jump, move the project up a stage.
  3. 3. DemonstrateName the goal, reference edge, tool path, adult-controlled boundary, and what correct looks like. Demonstrate once without rushing.
  4. 4. Let the learner workGive the learner a bounded job: label, measure, sand, dry-fit, observe, or call out a check. Correct with a question or reset before taking over.
  5. 5. Inspect and reflectCheck fit, square, surface, stability, and cleanup. Record one skill demonstrated and one next skill or project.

Mentor Toolkit

Your mentoring toolkit.

Choose the route that fits today’s session. Every card opens a distinct working resource, with a clear picture of its purpose.

Open checklists
Prepared workbench with safety glasses, board, ruler and blank plan
Adult resource

Start Here

New to TWG Kids? Begin here for an overview of the approach and how to use this guide.

Safety glasses and hearing protection beside a board on a clear bench
Adult resource

Safety & Readiness

Create a safe, welcoming workshop and build strong safety habits.

Adult and young maker discussing a small wooden box at a bench
Adult resource

Teaching Woodworking

Tips and techniques for teaching woodworking skills with confidence.

Small wooden box with loose parts ready for a project lesson
Adult resource

Project Lesson Library

Step-by-step project lessons that build skills and pride.

Adult sanding a secured board by hand
Adult resource

Skill Lesson Library

Focused lessons that teach and reinforce core woodworking skills.

Wood samples and magnifier ready for a material investigation
Adult resource

Wood Lab Lessons

Discover wood through simple experiments and investigations.

Adult and young maker planning together at a woodworking bench
Adult resource

One-on-One

Strategies for mentoring individual learners and building confidence.

Adult guiding three young makers as they compare wood samples
Adult resource

Groups / Clubs / Classrooms

Plan and lead successful sessions for groups of any size.

Blank worksheets and clipboard arranged for a workshop session
Adult resource

Printables

Worksheets, checklists, project records, and session tools ready to use.

Project journal and two small wooden boxes documenting progress
Adult resource

Progress / Project Records

Track growth, celebrate progress, and reflect on learning.

Lesson Library

Browse the Lesson Library.

Open one complete lesson or skill resource, then shape the session around the learner in front of you.

View all lessons

Eight resources are ready to open: start with the No-Cut Lab or Simple Wooden Box, then use the full library to choose the next supported build or skill.

With grainsame grit · same strokes
Across grainsame grit · same strokes
The arrows show stroke direction. Your sample supplies the scratch result.
Stage 1Skill

30-Minute No-Cut Lab

A calm first session that makes sanding sequence, witness marks, dust cleanup, and surface inspection visible without a saw, drill, or finish product.

Open lesson
Open-top wooden box with the bottom beneath four walls; long walls outside and short ends between them. Fasteners are not shown.
Stage 2Project

Simple Wooden Box

An illustrated TWG box-build lesson for reading five prepared parts, checking the fit, and understanding the adult-controlled fastening path.

Open lesson
Open Flower Box form with five wood parts and three holes through its bottom. Hole positions are illustrative; the linked Illinois activity is the construction source.
Stage 3Project

Flower Box

An illustrated, adult-led path through the Illinois 4-H Flower Box activity. Source directions and TWG clarifications are labeled separately.

Open lesson
Bench hook from two faces. Orange stop on top at one short end; teal cleat underneath at the opposite short end of the 12 × 8 × ¾ in base.
Stage 1Project

Bench Hook

A measured three-part TWG bench hook model for learning workholding orientation and adult-controlled assembly. Actual use needs an adult check.

Open lesson
Open organizer model. The illustrated TWG variant is a 4 × 4 × 4 in open organizer assembled with adult-controlled glue only.
Stage 2Project

Pencil Holder / Desk Organizer

A small open organizer that teaches a complete four-wall assembly, a measured base, and a useful final object for a desk or shop bench.

Open lesson

Trusted External Resources

Keep the original source in view.

These official programs and technical references are source material, not TWG partnerships or copied plans.

View more resources
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OSHA Woodworking eTool

Adult shop hazard and safety-control reference.

Open source↗

Scouting America Woodwork

Official sequence for safe tools, plans, projects, and careers.

Open source↗

Wisconsin 4-H Woodworking Wonders

Four-stage youth curriculum and project progression.

Open source↗

Purdue 4-H Woodworking

Youth woodworking project framework.

Open source↗

USDA Forest Products Laboratory

Wood science, moisture, finishing, and material background.

Open source↗

Scouting America pamphlet

Official reference with adult-supervision guidance.

Open source↗

Kreg Learn

Source-linked project and skill education.

Open source↗

WVU 4-H Woodworking

Progression, activity records, and career context.

Open source

Progress + project records

Leave the next session easier to start.

Use a simple record for skills demonstrated, material notes, time, cost, reflection, and the next project decision. The printable set includes 12 adult-ready tools.

Open progress tools