Home Depot, Rain Gauge

We decided to take a break from swim lessons (largely because of the huge class size this session, forcing us into the BIG and COLD pool) so we wanted to find some other activities.

A friend told me about this kids workshop thing, the first Saturday of every month, so I called them. You can show up anytime between 9 and noon at any Home Depot. Each child gets an apron, a set of parts with instructions and a work area. Amara and dad sat down and got to work, with about a dozen other kids and families, of all ages. We found out AFTER we got there, that it is "targeted" at kids 5-12, but they insisted she come in and of course, she had help.)

When she sat down, I can't explain the smiles we were getting. It was a cross between "I can't believe you're ENCOURAGING ME to play with these tools," "look at all these kids!," and "WOW!"

She took right to sitting with daddy, and breaking out the parts. She took to the little rain gauge part that came with the project (they were making a rain gauge)--and wouldn't really let it go, though she did, just long enough to help daddy with the wood glue. She LOVES tubes, anything IN a tube, looking like a tube, etc.

Next was the pounding--that was mostly daddy, and I think that's when she was about ready to be done.

They proudly took the finished project up to the desk and received a certificate of completion, a pin for her apron, with the rain gauge project on it, and some stickers too!

It was a great time and great first project. We proudly have it in the kitchen (not sure any of us want it outside for 'real') and we can't wait for the next projects, butterfly houses and a picket fence planter!