Yesterday the boys and I built a bookshelf. It is only an inexpensive bookshelf from the office store, but we were very proud of how it came to together and how it looks in our basement.
While my ten old twins have pounded nails before, they had never really used hammers to actually build something. They were excited to see the shelf come together. I started the nails for them, but then they got to drive them in. I think we’ll use some scrap lumber to practice starting nails. I wasn’t sure how our shelves would hold up to blows with the hammer. Hammering isn’t a skill that most of us use very often anymore, but it’s still a good skill to know. And at ten and half I think the boys are plenty old enough to learn. (You do have to be careful though, you don’t want hurt fingers or other mishaps.)
Our new shelves are replacing some wire cubes that never did work very well. Small toys fell through the wire slots, and the cubes couldn’t hold much weight. The wood shelves have a much more polished and grownup look than the white metal cubes. We’ve already filled them with our favorite board games and books.
We are slowly and gradually turning our little boy playroom into a family game room. I actually decided not to paint over the mural right now, but to put these bookshelves in front of it. I’m hoping that the boys will take more pride in the room since they are helping a little with the planning, building, and decorating. It probably won’t happen, but a mom can hope!
Also See:
Storage in Your Children’s Playroom