I used to do Public Information and Educational type programs for kids of all ages here in Maryland. At the state fair one year, a duck carver friend did a bunch of simple miniature duck carvings and ran a series of basic classes on painting duck decoys. Several of the kids throughout the 10 day event just couldn't get enough. For a dollar or two donations they could sit and paint their own decoy with a little instruction and take their work home. It went over so well we couldn't keep up with the demand. We even had a little judging contest at the end of each day with a couple of small prizes (also hand made by the carver and his wife).
I also had another though about the subject of wood working. We used to do a series of historical characters and one in particular was the Colonial Craftsman. Most of the time we just did a general one hour program in schools and such on the tools and techniques of the craftsman but we did a few events also. One of the things we would do at the events would be to set up a carving horse with a block of wood and draw knife and let the kids take turns. You still have to have a little supervision to make sure nobody cuts themselves. But, you can take the opportunity to educate on historical methods of wood working while they are carving away. You'd be surprised how kids just love making a bunch of shavings out a big block. And, the smiles are priceless.
Very simple ideas wanted
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