Make Stuff with Your Kid

I like this book. You can tell that the author, Bob Gilsdorf, really likes these toys. He is definitely excited about making things and we like that here!  There are patterns to copy, enlarge, and print. This will be nice for folks not used to laying out woodworking projects. At the end of the book, there is even a section of woodworking tips.

I do have two complaints. First, some of the designs seem likely to break quickly. For example, there is a great motorcycle on  a stick design but the fork legs are made of tongue depressors.

Secondly, there are several of the toys that I would never give to my child. Many have some form of tiny projectile. They are either for older children, teens, or maybe office workers in their cubicles?

My favorite project is an airplane on a stick (It is a little Goose, Maverick, and Ice Man in the the training room).

All told, I am glad that I bought the book and I am building several of the projects. Just be thoughtful about the age appropriateness of the toys you build from it.

-Jim