Hands on Books
by a hands on veteranBooks by Jack McKee
Builder Boards: Detailed Construction Plans describes how to construct a set of Builder Boards from plywood. In addition it documents students and scouts building sets for their community and taking “the world’s largest set” to farmers markets and neighborhood parties.
About Jack
Jack McKee is a builder, designer, teacher and writer. He is retired now. He worked as a handyman, remodeled houses, built small boats, designed (and built) equipment used by children, schools, and children’s museums. Jack worked at a Montessori school teaching “shop” to preschoolers, taught woodworking and science for the local parks department, had a traveling science caravan which visited schools. He helped kids build boats, log buildings and cardboard domes. His articles have appeared in Home Education, Tech Directions, Early Childhood Today, Wooden Boat, and on various internet sites. He has written two books, Woodshop For Kids and Builder Boards which was updated in 2025 with a 4th edition.
Recent Posts
Project: Kids Build Puzzles
PUZZLES I: Using Precut Puzzle Blanks For younger kids who would have difficulty using a coping saw, I make what I call puzzle blanks. These blanks are just a plywood square with the center section cut out in one piece. The kids’ job is to draw a picture on this...
BUILDER BOARDS, Detailed Construction Plans, 4th edition
My First Woodworking Class with Young Children
It was the most meaningful, fun, and interesting woodworking I’d ever done.
Amanda’s Woodworking Gift
Every time I see that little car, or think about it, I remember it was Amanda who made me realize how much kids love to make presents.
Three Free Projects
Here are three free projects from Woodshop for Kids.
Five Projects to Help Kids Learn the Craft of Nailing
Looking back at the first year I taught woodworking two mistakes were making projects too difficult and assuming kids could use tools. Wrong. Most kids had never picked up a tool, and the ones who had really didn’t know how to use them. Nailing is a perfect example.