Get Out and PLAY Event – Day 17
When I first found out I was pregnant, all I could think about was little itty bitty cuteness. But, while I was dreaming of small clothing and even tinier shoes and accessories, my husband was looking much further ahead. He had already set his heart on road trips to the Grand Canyon stopping at every cheesy landmark along the way, hiking to the top of every mountain near us, and teaching our kids how to fix stuff in the garage and house.
So, when Father’s Day rolls around each year I don’t look for matching t-shirts and onesies, I look for hiking and camping equipment and other stuff to do together in the future. Backbacks to grow into, sports equipment for kids twice our children’s ages, and camping gear that really is meant for adults… that will probably be outdated before either child ever can use it.
Well, at least I used to buy stuff for the future. This year I found the perfect gift for my husband {and my daughter} that allows them to do what they do best – hang out together. That gift is from Red Toolbox, the maker of carpentry tools and kits for kids.
Instead of toy tools that are merely for play, the kids tools from Red Toolbox are truly unique in the fact that they are actual tools. They make tools that work just like adults versions, only on a smaller scale so they are easier for children to manipulate. Paired with DIY kits that allow for easy projects you can finish in an afternoon or two, it’s got all the makings of a perfect father/daughter {or son, of course} activity.
If your child is anything like mine, they can spot a toy from a mile away and want nothing to do with it if there’s a real version to use. For this reason, I was a bit apprehensive about what the quality of the Red Toolbox tools would be and what they would look and feel like, fearing they would be discarded as soon as Daddy-O’s tools emerged. The folks at Red Toolbox must have understood this, because the tools that arrived the other day are nothing if they aren’t cool.
We got to try out their electric cordless drill, a hanging birdhouse kit, and a 5 piece tool kit {set A}, which includes everything your little one needs to get started – 2 screwdrivers with magnetized tips, a hammer, a tape measure, and safety goggles. Immediately upon opening the package we were all excited to try the tools and get to work. Our daughter couldn’t believe that these tools were actually hers, with the quote of the night being, “Oh my goodness, these are AWESOME!”
The kit itself was a level 1 project which made it an easy build with everything already cut to size and pilot holes pre-drilled, which made it a perfect project to start with. I really liked that everything was clearly labeled and easy to piece together, even for little hands. Another thing we really appreciated was that all tools needed to build the kit were identified on the side of the package which meant we didn’t get home just to find we needed a different set of tools in order to complete the project.
Whether she was helping us measure, sand the edges, count out pieces, or screw the birdhouse together using the manual and electric screwdriver, she was having the time of her life. She is still a bit young for the recommended age range, but I can assure you that she was heavily supervised the entire time and did really well listening to the instructions and helping out. Because the tools are smaller sized they were easy for her to use, they will be something she can still grow into throughout the years without growing out of too quickly.
In fact, I made it very well known that I will be frequently borrowing her tools, especially the electric cordless drill for my own projects. I never have been great at using tools around the house and it has become somewhat of a joke that I always end up with “extra pieces” and extra nail holes. Having found Red Toolbox, I am really excited that I have found tools that are much easier for me to use for general use without having to pull out my husband’s industrial tools that are much faster and more powerful than I need for my projects.
As cool as Red Toolbox is, I was incredibly impressed by how affordable the sets are and how fun they are. Now that we have seen how ready our daughter is for appropriate sized tools and woodworking projects, we will definitely be returning to Lowes to get additional kits for the family to do together.
BUY IT: The tool kits and DIY woodworking projects are sold at Lowes {and lowes.com} so you could easily pick up a few tools and kits before Father’s Day. Additional information can also be found by visiting www.red-toolbox.com.
A big thank you to Red Toolbox for sending a tool set and DIY kit for review. All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.
I love these! I can’t believe they actually work!
Cool – real working tools!
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In my opinion, exposing kids to different set of toys will help them develop what they could be when they grow. A child experience during his first 5 years is very important part of his development.
Doing house hold chores with our children is great bonding experience specially for a mom and daughter. For a father let them help on your carpentry project they have to learn at least the basic. But make sure that they are protected and don’t let them hurt.