Woodwork Course for Children: Step Stool

What you'll learn

Learn how to build your own wooden step stool with our woodwork short courses in Sydney!

Our Woodwork Course for Children is the perfect opportunity for kids and their parents or guardians to work together, learn some woodworking skills, and take something beautiful and handmade home. You will look at the properties and history of timber, the value of sustainability and recycled materials, and using hand woodworking tools in a safe and supportive environment.

This is an exciting woodwork workshop specially designed for young enthusiasts aged 10 to 15 years old. During this one-day workshop, you'll craft a practical and attractive kids step stool using a variety of tools.

Join this fantastic opportunity to explore the world of woodworking, particularly with reclaimed timbers that might otherwise end up in the trash. Reclaimed timber is abundant, budget-friendly, and of excellent quality. In this workshop, we'll show you its many potential applications and how you can contribute to its conservation.

Throughout the workshop, you'll learn about timber properties, the art of working with reclaimed wood, measurement and marking techniques, how to design your project, and the safe and effective use of various woodworking hand tools.

You'll be happy to create something tangible with your own hands while working with responsibly sourced materials.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this Build a Step Stool course, you should be able to:

Appreciate the value of second-hand timber
Understand the structural properties of timber
Safely and effectively use a variety of traditional hand tools
Understand woodworking terminology
Use a range of hand planes and square and straighten a range of timbers
Understand different woodworking finishes
Have the confidence to start your own projects at home

Course content

What will be covered in this Build a Step Stool course?

Knowledge of general safety in the workshop
Timber selection and an understanding of second-hand timber
Grain direction and strength and weaknesses
Project outline and assembly
Use of various woodworking tools and equipment
Use of woodworking fixings such as nails, screws and dowels
How to use woodworking glues
Sanding and finishing

Intended audience

Who is this Build a Step Stool course for?

This woodwork workshop specially designed for young enthusiasts aged 10 to 15 years old and their parents or guardians.

Important note: Parents are not required to pay to attend, but are required to be present on site for the duration of the course. We've found these courses a great opportunity for parents/guardians and kids to work on a project together. However, individual adults are not able to sign up to attend.

Knowledge required

This course is for people with little to no experience with woodwork looking for an introduction to the craft. We have designed this course with kids in mind, and it is open to kids of all skill levels, including those who have never done woodwork before.

Course venue

Among The Trees Workshop

27 Sydney Street, Marrickville NSW 2204

We encourage students to utilize the numerous public transport options nearby or ride their bicycle to Among the Trees, there is a bike rack on site. Street parking is limited during the day and onsite parking is off-limits for course participants during business hours (Wed-Sat 10am-4pm). Please contact Among the Trees directly if you have access concerns or requirements, there is an accessible parking spot available that we can reserve if requested. Outside business hours there are 3 onsite parking spots available.

About Among The Trees

"We can’t get enough of reclaimed and recycled timber, and we believe it should be accessible to everyday people. There’s nothing like working with wood, and to use and love a product that would otherwise have been sent to landfill or be burned off helps keep the story of that piece alive.

We want to show you how and why we love this material and share with you how to work with it. We are Among The Trees, and we can’t wait to say hello."

Tools and materials

This course will be taught using entirely second-hand timber. You will be taught to use a variety of woodworking tools and materials including:

Reclaimed Timber, where to find it and how to use it.
Measuring and marking tools
Handsaws
Chisels
Handplanes
Hammer and nails
Drills, drivers and screws
Wood glue
Timber finishes

All tools and materials to be provided by Among the Trees.

Please note: This course may involve materials that are allergens for students. Nut and seed oils, as well as fine wood dust, may be present at points throughout the course. If you have any allergies please get in touch with us.

Requirements and safety

You are encouraged to bring your own facemask, protective eyewear and ear protection however sanitised Personal Protective Equipment will be available to use. Any borrowed PPE needs to be sanitised after use.
You are required to wear closed-toe shoes.
Aprons will be provided but please wear clothing that can get dirty (e.g. sawdust or glue).
Long hair needs to be tied back and no loose hanging jewellery should be worn.
For your own safety, facilitator instructions regarding the correct use of tools and equipment must be followed at all times.
Any people thought to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be able to take part in the workshop.

Additional information

Please note the following:

Concessions or discounts cannot be applied to classes hosted at the Among The Tree venue.

Please advise Among The Trees about:

your emergency contact (name, relationship and contact phone number), and
any special requirements (e.g. wheelchair access) if applicable

Lunch (all-day classes)

A 30-minute lunch break will take place halfway through all-day classes. Students are encouraged to bring their own lunch. Alternatively, there are cafes and takeaway restaurants nearby.

Course tutors

Among The Trees

Among The Trees is Sydney's one-stop reclaimed timber spot, running workshops and artist studios as well as their timber shop. They can’t get enough of reclaimed and recycled timber, and believe...

View Among The Trees's profile

Classes Online Courses

Woodwork Course for Children: Step Stool

Wed 24 Jan 2024

1 session, 5 hours total

9am - 2pm (UTC+11:00)

Among The Trees Workshop

Among The Trees

This workshop specially designed for young enthusiasts aged 10 to 15 years old.

Important Note: Please note this course is exempt from all discounts including the learning membership. Please see terms and conditions.

When	Time	Where	Session Notes
Wed 24 Jan 2024	9am - 2pm	Carpentry Workshop Space - Among The Trees Workshop

If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Woodwork Course for Children: Step Stool