Woodwork is great for skill and physical development - Pete Moorhouse tells us why and how to bring it into your outdoor setting.
Pete Moorhouse is the UK’s leading authority on woodwork in Early Years education and has written several books and journal articles.
Pete has written the introduction for our Outdoor Hub Woodworking page, and sections on woodwork & learning, woodwork & safety, and recommended tools and tips.
As Pete says
"Woodwork - building a foundation for the creative thinkers, designers, makers, tinkerers of the future..."
Woodworking & tools
Early years woodwork expert Pete Moorhouse, introduces this section and offers tips and advice on woodworking with Early Years & Primary Schools. There are also guides to whittling and tool use, and research and articles on the future of traditional crafts.
There is a comprehensive woodworking section in our shop, that follows Pete's recommendations on tools and resources, and tool use guides & activities in our activity section.
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Introduction from Pete Moorhouse
Pete Moorhouse is the UK’s leading authority on woodworking in Early Years education and has written several books and journal articles.
In this introduction to our Woodworking & Tools section Pete tells us about the benefits of woodwork in the Early Years and shares some very useful resources.
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Woodwork & learning
Woodworking in the Early Years expert Pete Woodhouse explores the learning that can come from working with wood.
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Woodwork & safety
Woodworking in the Early Years expert Pete Woodhouse offers important health and safety guidelines for working with wood.
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Woodwork tools & tips
Recommended woodwork tools from Early Years woodworking expert Pete Moorhouse.
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Woodworking & tools guides
How-tos, guides & manuals to choosing & using tools outdoors.
Early Years & Primary School children can develop woodworking skills with proper training & supervision.
Our one stop shop has a diverse selection of practical, educational and inspiring products for all your forest school, outdoor play and learning requirements.
There is a comprehensive woodworking section in our shop, that follows Pete's recommendations on tools and resources.
Woodworking is a wonderful practical activity that supports deep levels of engagement, creativity and problem solving. We stock a wide range of woodworking resources including child-sized tools and woodwork benches for your woodworking area.
Both inspiring and informative, Learning Through Woodwork will become an essential tool for early years practitioners and teachers wishing to explore and develop woodwork provision.
These hammers are a perfect weight for young children, with short handles so they are more controllable, and a large hitting surface making it easier to hammer the nail.
Saws that cut on the pull stroke are easier for young children to use - they are more controllable & require less effort. This small Japanese saw has extremely-fine 3-sided smoothed teeth which make even, clean cuts in hard and soft wood.
The Outdoor Hub has a wealth of inspiring activities, events and information. Each section has been designed to encourage engagement in the outdoors, connection with nature and to help spark imaginative play and creativity.
Wooden stamps
Hammering into wood - create imprints & practise tool skills. Great idea and activity for the early years woodworking area.
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Drill a wooden disc
A simple and fun tool activity for young children using a rotary hand drill or a palm drill.
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Whittle your own hazel knife
Carve a wooden knife in a few minutes!
Simple split stick animal
An activity showing you how to whittle yourself a woodland creature, with help from author Richard Irvine
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Log hog
A technical woodworking activity using a variety of tools; ideal for KS2 age children.
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Make a foot-operated soap dispenser
Step-by-step instructions to build a practical soap dispenser to go with your Tippy Tap, creating an effective outdoor hand washing system - and it's fun to make!
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