Something useful

I'm a big fan of boys using their time in practical applications. To be fair, they are, too. They like making things and doing useful chores. They like to get out their next to their dad when he's out mending or making. But they do fight the allure of the video game format.

For me, "boy" crafts have been a little challenging to find. Not just doing something, but doing something with a purpose. As you can imagine, I was pleased when I happened across projects made with paracord.

We've tried learning knots before -- and, like me, they don't see the point (beyond tying shoes). But I'm hoping a few paracord projects will change that perspective.

To start I think we'll make short lengths -- like keychains -- but with a relevant-to-them purpose.

For Christmas, each boy got a tool box, within which were a few tools or items each boy, in turn, can use for his own projects. But on the outside, the boxes are identical. This could be a problem.

This is our second try on tool boxes. 
The first ones we got the boys were plastic.
They loved them, but in short order, the latches broke. Very disappointing. This time? ALL metal.

I plan to have each boy make a short lanyard, perhaps something like the black one on the bottom, that will be tied to his tool box handle. Our boys are "color coded:" the oldest uses red, the next oldest, blue, and our youngest, yellow. (We started this for our sanity's sake, but the boys use the color coding to their own advantage.)

Just a first project, and no time pressure.

We'll keep you updated on how things go.

This post is part of my series updating our progress on our 13 in 13 Skills .

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