Toy tools or real tools for children? Thoughts?

[-Brent-]

Real tools? Toy Tools? Both? What would you put in your child's hands?

I've always been an advocate of appropriate real tools but I've known dozens of educators and parents who believe otherwise.

The pic is of my brother, Jake, who started "playing" with real tools. Now he makes a living with them.

I released a post, this morning, about my opinion and I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

https://tools365.net/toy-tools-or-real-tools/

 

[Iluvbeer]

Suppose it depends on the tool and the age/maturity of the child. No way would I allow a 7 year old run a circular saw.

 

[The Cobbler]

didn't read your blog but it depends on the tool, age, maturity, parental supervision etc.

real screwdrivers & wrenches to a 9 year old is a lot different than a circular saw to a 5 yr old.

 

[woody 73]

I must have been your brothers age when my parents gave me a little carpenter tool box with real tools only smaller in size; that did it for me and I never looked back...

 

[El_Guapo]

I always had the real deal as a kid, and like mentioned above, just started with age appropriate stuff and worked up.

I have done the same with my boys, I've been adding to their boxes as they grow.

 

[vavet]

My nearly 6 year old routinely uses a small hammer and screwdriver at the Home Depot kids workshop, under supervision, usually me. He has his own tack hammer and screwdriver at home, too. For right now, with him, the most important safety rule is that we do not run when carrying tools.

 

[boy1_]

I'd say start them with real, basic hand tools as young as possible. Screwdrivers and a hammer. As they develop their responsibility and skills, start introducing more complex hand tools, then power tools etc. Will completely depend on the child and their abilities etc.

Those tool benches are a joke and will only keep a kid entertained for a brief period. The real deal will be useful forever.

 

[misterbill]

I think it's all about the maturity of the child and the willingness of the adults around them to set the proper expectations and to teach them to use the tools properly. Most of the kids I come in contact with these days don't have the attention span or respect for the tools and their parents - if they can take their eyes off of their smart phones long enough - don't know enough about the tools to be able to teach them anything. Contrast that with what I witnessed passing by an Amish farm the other day. Two boys - probably around 5 or 6 - cutting up a downed tree by themselves with a bow saw.

My opinion - teach them to use real tools to do real work.

 

[Elsinore13]

Real, of course!

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Obvoiusly you can go very wrong, esp with power tools, but I remember just marveling at these as a small child.

I'd rate most tools as a little more dangerous than a stick or rock, some kids cant be trusted with those either, but enforcing a ban cold be challnenging.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

This is where things like legos and erector set type toys are good imho. you can build things that do things (heck, with legos you can even do computer controlled systems now), and you can only get so hurt with them (step on legos, pinch fingers in gears with erector set, etc), but not seriously hurt for the most part.

I always enjoyed building the "alternate" toys on the box that didn't have instructions, just pictures. just look at it and figure out what the model needs in your mind's eye.

I managed to make some ****** messes the first few times I was handed scissors, even under some supervision. turns out stabbing your own finger through cardboard is really easy. i think the screw drivers/wrenches etc in the erector set box are much less likely to ruin clothes with high volumes of blood.

so i guess my answer is "toys for learning, tools as age appropriate". I was given a sledge hammer and splitting maul a long time before I was given permission to use the chainsaw unsupervised.

 

[-Brent-]

Real, of course!

Yeah, that's pretty cool!

 

[-Brent-]

I'd rate most tools as a little more dangerous than a stick or rock, some kids cant be trusted with those either, but enforcing a ban cold be challnenging.

Same. My son is really curious about power tools. So, I let him run the palm sander, random orbital and over time we moved up to the palm nailer and drills and such.

I actually think they're safer than him using a pry bar. His eyes light up when that thing comes out. I think he sees the destructive possibilities.

 

[mudflap]

It's the same as with guns/gun safety.. Some are fine at the range on their .22 Rifle (with supervision) at 5 or 7 yrs old.. and some people should probably never handle a firearm at any age...lol.

 

[jgromada]

Very young children can have their own toy tools but be reminded that Daddy's tools are dangerous and not for them.

I grabbed the top of a hot stove only once as a young child. Saws are sharp and that point can be emphasized without hurting a child.

 

[El_Guapo]

I'm a big fan of giving the kids measuring/layout tools early - teaches them good habits and some math.

My 6 year old even has a cheap 0-1" mic that he carries around and "measures" just about everything with.

 

[dutchgray]

Depends on the child obviously, but I got a hacksaw, 8 oz ball pein, screwdrivers and a Stanley knife when I was 5 or 6 (I still have a scar from the knife, but only the one), my uncle bought his son a Stihl 026 for his 12th birthday.

 

[Terracar]

I am an advocate of real tools. My children are 6 and 3. They each have their own toolbox with the basics - pliers, hammer, screw driver, tape measure, safety glasses, gloves, and pencils.

The ability to make the jump from toy to real life scenarios can be a barrier. My kids have helped me build a fence, assemble some furniture, and various other tasks. One of the tools we really have only used once or twice, was a screwdriver. (Most the time it is wrenches, hammers, or the drill) I showed them the difference between flat head and phillips and what the screws looked like.

My son came up to me Saturday and asked for batteries. Somewhat surprised I asked why. He explained his robot's batteries were dead and he was going to replace them. He brought me over to the table. There he had the robot and remote battery cover unscrewed (the single screw type) and open ready for fresh batteries. I asked him how he knew which screw driver and he referred to when I showed him probably a year or so ago.

Pretty sure that would not have had the same outcome if they were toys.

-Terracar

 

[Moparman390]

Totally age dependent. You can give the plastic tool toys to toddlers and start giving age appropriate tools to kids as they age.

Also, nice Snap-On truck but I don't have like $3,000 to spend on a Christmas gift.

 

[xlowxyotax88x]

Obvoiusly you can go very wrong, esp with power tools, but I remember just marveling at these as a small child.

I'd rate most tools as a little more dangerous than a stick or rock, some kids cant be trusted with those either, but enforcing a ban cold be challnenging.

What exactly are those pliers for I've had a set in a drawer for 15 years but was never sure of their actual purpose

 

[CJM8515]

I used everything besides a chain and circular saw before the age of 10. Then again my grandfather was very into being handy and would help my not so handy dad so I had the supervision of 2 adults a lot of the time. I did however have my own set of tools from about the age of 4 on up. First smaller sized stuff, then by 7 fullsize items.

 

[Coloradical]

Real tools here. I at least made it a point to teach them (5 yr old and 2 and 1/2) the names early. I didn’t think my 2 and half year old was even following along. Today I was working on our shower and he brought me an adjustable wrench with out me asking. So I then asked him for pliers and a screwdriver and he brought both.


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[Shane6377]

Real tools here. I used real tools with my grandpa and dad as soon as I could walk. Hand tools, impact gun, drill by 5-6 years old. Chainsaw at about 12.

My kids are about the same. Son is 14 and I'm teaching him basic electrical... requiring outlets and switches and such.

Some can handle it at a young age and others never will at any age.


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[marineman]

We're getting ready to start potty training our not quite 2 year old and today he used my screwdriver and put the screw in by himself with some coaching. That said his chainsaw is just a toy. I'm thinking this summer we'll work together and make him a wooden toolbox from the same plans that we used to make my first toolbox. You just have to know what your own kids can handle, they develop at different rates. Only thing I'll say is sometimes the hardest part is learning the difference between toys and real things, not just with tools but guns too. He only plays with them at other kids houses but I've been enforcing all the standard gun safety rules even with toy guns. Makes me nervous when other kids run around shooting everyone with their toy guns.

 

[619DioFan]

I was 7 when I got my own real tools. basics- hammer , screwdrivers , pliers , cresent wrench , etc. didn't have a tool box so I keep them in one of my dads old shoe boxes. but they were mine.

 

[cstmg8]

Age dependant. My girls are 2 and 4, so a little young for real tools. They hang out with me while I use mine, and will definitely learn to use real ones when age appropriate.

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[ChevyEFI]

My oldest couldn't keep safety glasses on for anything when he was 4, so I kept him out when I was cutting or grinding. Now, he tells his little brother to keep them on.

I try and involve them and let them use real tools where needed, but sharp objects can wait. Socket and wrench work is great.

 

[Hytekrednek]

I loved real tools as a young boy. At age 3 and 4, my day care was doing service calls with my dad fixing major appliances and some HVAC. I loved it. I was the tool boy. "I need a yellow handled nut driver and needle nose pliers son" Out of the house I would run, get to the truck, go through the tool box, and walk the tools back to dad. House wives adored me and even gave me tips some times. Dad paid me with hot wheel cars or toys at the mall on Fridays. Great memories!
I once attempted to "fix" a record player. Like dad, I fixed things. Before long, I had that thing completely taken apart and spread out on the floor when dad walked in. It was not a broken record player when I tried to fix it, but it never worked again. I would have gotten in trouble, but dad was so proud of me that I got away with it. He used the failed repair job to teach me a great rule to live by... Do not fix it, if it is not broke!

Real tools are fine for some kids. Judge each case on the individual kid.

 

[MTNSleder]

Depends how lucky you are, started using power tools when around 4 never had any problems but I did manage to cut a thumb off with an axe when I was 10 so

 

[OldNeons]

Got my own real tool box with socket set, wrenches and screwdriver set when I was eight. Learned using dads before then.... Tool collection has never stopped growing since. Keep it age/individual appropriate and keep an eye on them as they learn. All depends on the kid and also how you help them learn.

 

[Wamsutta]

A long time ago there was a 4 year old girl next door. Her favorite thing to do was come over and drill holes in a big block of wood with my Makita battery drill. So I say give them real tools.

 

[Coolabah]

What exactly are those pliers for I've had a set in a drawer for 15 years but was never sure of their actual purpose

I guess you can use them for anything you want but the use I was shown is for non-finework bending of (small, and eg stainless) wire- there are cutters on the side , also parrallel to the long axis is a groove in the jaw to aid in holding the wire without marring , to aid in bending. Serrated jaws can grip the wire so you can go gung-ho on other stuff. The jaws remain parallel as you open and close. I suppose they would be used for making jewellery etc. There could be other uses but this is the limit of my knowledge

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Whatever age you start with the tools they should be real. Scaled down where ever possible. Hand tools to start with until they develope an awareness of what they are dealing with. A few hammer, screw driver booboos are part of the training. Then work your way to safer electrical/battery tools. Maybe starting with sanders, drills and working your way to the blades. First project a hand built tool box, no power tools. Help with the manual sawing if needed, I would use an old mitre box to help with the cuts and keep the blade on track. Keep it simple and easy the rest will develope on its own.

 

[CR888]

Kids toys are often more expensive than real tools. I bought my nephew aged 6 a 1/4" blow mold socket set & he loves it. It was like $15 delivered off eBay with a 72t ratchet, extensions, bit sockets and metric sizes 4.5-14mm. He loves using it to play with.

 

[kngelv]

Real tools for my 12 year old. He was around 6 or 7 when I started showing him how to properly use tools. Right now he is a mountain bike fanatic and is constantly using tools to swap components and make adjustments. When he was around 5 I started paying attention to tool closeouts on the Hot Deals forum and buying items to build a tool set. Some of the deals included Menard's closing out most of their U.S. made Masterforce tools. I picked up socket sets, screwdrivers and wrenches. Lowe's decide to get ride of Knipex and Ideal pliers and cutters for Southwire so that was a score too. There are plenty of others. I picked up a 46" Husky Box at Home Depot for $135.00 on closeout and with my Veteran's discount. He has much nicer tools than I did at his age and is very proud of what he can do on his own. A few days ago he built a siren using one of those Enco Learn-to-Solder kits. I really emphasize to him how we have a society where many people can't fix anything and pay people to do everything. Some of his accomplishments so far include rebuilding a carb on a dirt bike, floating and leveling the cement for a shower pan, drywall, painting, oil changes, building bike ramps and cabinets, installing a toilet and other household type stuff. The only thing I have really held off on so far is electrical work which is kind of ironic since I'm an electrician.

James

 

[sberry]

He doesn't need his own, is content to use mine.

 

[Elsinore13]

Totally age dependent. You can give the plastic tool toys to toddlers and start giving age appropriate tools to kids as they age.

Also, nice Snap-On truck but I don't have like $3,000 to spend on a Christmas gift.

Snap On truck was a $169.00 truck that got me in a drawing that I ended up winning and got something else of equal value. So, free Snap On truck for me. I’ll get you one for half price of what you thought it was worth though....

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

- if they can take their eyes off of their smart phones long enough - don't know enough about the tools to be able to teach them anything. Contrast that with what I witnessed passing by an Amish farm the other day. Two boys - probably around 5 or 6 - cutting up a downed tree by themselves with a bow saw.

My opinion - teach them to use real tools to do real work.

I've learned that my smart phone is a very versatile and capable tool. Getting better all the time.
I haven't used a bow saw in years.

 

[mybigwarwagon]

My 6 year old has real tools. I have a slight advantage on getting them for him since I haul scrap cars and find all kinds of tools in them. For Christmas he got a real tool box to put them in. They have been in a cardboard box.

He quickly got bored with toy tools. He would much rather play with the real ones. And they have the added bonus that he actually learns how to use them, and they will last al long time as long as he cares for them.
https://scontent-atl3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/49074826_10157245571404739_4083705886298603520_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.**&oh=3c3792d2d08d400e029b6468b1d323f5&oe=5CC89F5D

He uses power tools with supervision. He spent three hours one day drilling holes in a piece of plywood while I worked on a car. He also loves to use the cordless impact. It is all a learning experience.

 

[Milton Shaw]

When I was 7 or 8 my father gave me a cheap set of jap wrenches for Christmas. A year later I still had all of them and he started giving me SK tools then and continued it for the next 30 or so years. Still have all but a couple of sockets of the first set over 60 years old. I love good tools and hope my grandchildren will appreciate them too. My daughters both use tools some and do appreciate them. The youngest daughter in high school came home, got a floor jack, lug wrench and hubcap tool and went back to school and changed a flat tire for one of the members of the football team. He didn't have a clue how to do it. She still is very handy around a house and will tackle just about any project. She does still call for advice on projects and actually listens to me. She sometimes didn't as a teen though.