Helping Hands: Get your kids involved in your summer projects

By Stacie Gaetz

We all have a laundry list of outdoor projects now that the weather is warming up.

Spring and summer tasks like staining the fence, building a deck, re-painting the garage door and expanding the garden have a way of sneaking up on us.

If you are anything like me, you and your partner may take turns watching the kids while the other does the odd jobs or even get childcare so you can save time by tackling the project together.

Why not involve the kids in a safe and manageable ways? On top of the free labor, you will be teaching your children a number of important life skills that range from how to safely use a hammer or paint brush to problem solving and resourcefulness.

Safety First

Of course, the most important aspect of having your child help you will a project is making sure the job you get them to do and environment in which they do it is safe.

Ensure that the specific task you give to them is age appropriate and that that they (and you) are wearing any safety equipment that may be necessary.

Talk to them about how to safely handle any tools they may be using and what to do (and not do) if something goes wrong.

Supervise your children at all times when they are around tools, large equipment, chemicals or hazardous areas like a deck that doesn’t have stairs yet.

What Kind of Work?

Fairly young kids can help with almost any project. Even with something as big as building a deck, there are small odd jobs that they could do like bringing you the box of nails, lining up the pieces of wood before you secure them and even bringing you something to eat or drink.

Thinking about create a garden or making one bigger? This is the perfect job for little hands to help with. Kids can assist in digging out grass, putting items in the compost bin and even plan out where all of the flowers or veggies will go.

Painting or staining? Kids absolutely love to help with this and although their strokes may not be perfect, you can always quickly paint over their work.

Children of almost any age can go with a parent to the hardware store to pick up supplies and get a glimpse of what is involved in the planning process. The trip to the store may take a little longer with your kiddo in tow but it will also be more exciting!

Lessons Learned

Including your children in a physical project like this teaches them countless skills.

You can impart age appropriate wisdom about an array of life lessons like correctly using tools, effectively managing your time, budgeting for a project, teamwork, thinking through a problem when something unexpected happens and much more.

It also gives them pride in their home and yard and instills the importance of taking care of something. They will be a lot less likely to let their bikes/scooters run into the garage door if they put in the time and effort to apply the coat of paint on it.

Have Fun

The biggest benefit to making your next project a family affair – it is way more fun!

As adults when we are tasked with a certain chore, it becomes just that – a burden that we have to deal with.

However, add a kid to the mix and you get to see the project through their eyes; as an exciting adventure and something they have never done before. You can learn with them and even explore new ways to do things.

I bet you have never considered painting a giant tic tac toe board on the fence or garage door to see who wins before you paint over it? What about burying secret hidden treasure in the new garden you just created before planting your flowers or veggies?

When your kids help with a spring or summer project around the house, it may take longer than planned and it might not turn out exactly the way you thought it would.

However, spending the time together and going through the process of creating something as a team will strengthen your bond as a family unit and give you all something to be proud of.