Why I Love Home Depot Kids Workshops

I first heard about the Home Depot Kids Workshops before E&O were old enough to participate.  As soon as I felt like both kids were coordinated enough to use a hammer, I decided to try out these Home Depot Kids Workshops.  Actually, Elsie came home from PreK last year having completed one of their projects and I realized it was time.

Here's why I love Home Depot Kids Workshops:

1.  They are FREE.  Plus they give out a free apron to each child.

2.  Depending on how much a parent helps or doesn't help, they can be empowering confidence boosters for the kids.  Most times, E & O enjoy pounding away at their projects (O is a natural with a hammer).  When we made the pencil crate, Elsie wouldn't let me help her at all, and while it wasn't perfect, it was hers and she was so proud!

3.  They're well-executed -- today, for instance, we made an EMS truck.  And wouldn't you know, they had a real ambulance, a fire truck, and a police car out for the kids to explore.  The kids got fire hats and other goodies.  Chick-Fil-A minis were also given away.  It was awesome.  When we went the weekend of the first Auburn home football game, they had face painting and Chick-Fil-A.  Win-win.

4.  They are scheduled for weekends that we can be there.  It's like the Home Depot execs are in my brain and know what we have going on, and when we have a free weekend they say, "Hey, let's have a Kids Workshop for the Beavers."  Or something like that.

5.  They give out pins that the kids collect.  It's like getting badges in scouting.  Except I don't have to sew them onto a sash or vest.  It's beautiful.  This is probably my favorite part, actually.

6.  It can be a great family adventure, but I can also take the kids solo--depending on the weekend.

The other home improvement store in town (rhymes with "rows") also has free kids workshops to help them "build and grow," just so you know, but you have to register in advance and there are a limited number of spots.  I've never been able to get one.  Plus, they seem to host their workshops on weekends that we are not available anyway.  I really would like to try them out, but from what I've read, their projects are better for older children anyway, so I'm not in a hurry to get in there and experience it.  I do want to get the child-sized safety goggles and pick up a couple of child-sized hammers soon, though.

Anyway, I was just thinking about this and wanted to put my thoughts into words.

Cheers.