The 10 Best Kid's Workshops
This wiki has been updated 40 times since it was first published in October of 2015. Built to resemble adult workbenches, these kids' workshops will ensure hours of fun building, sawing, and assembling, all while developing hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. They are the perfect toys for letting little ones mimic mom or dad. Always ensure playtime is safe by following a toy manufacturer’s age recommendations and by supervising children at all times. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Little Tikes Construct 'n Learn
2. Toyster’s Standup Station
3. Little Tikes Tough
Editor's Notes
May 06, 2020:
When your child enjoys playing with toy tool sets, one of these kid-sized workbenches will come in handy for keeping everything organized. They all come with tools and other accessories of their own, which can provide hours of fun with hammering, sawing, assembling, and more. To make room for the new additions in this update, we removed a number of items that were not designed for kids under the age of three. We added in the Toyster’s Standup Station, a wooden choice that features smooth pieces covered in nontoxic paint in bright primary colors. There’s plenty of onboard storage by way of holes on the table and backboard, as well as a bottom tray the runs the width of the piece. It’s designed for children as young as one year of age, and backed by a satisfaction guarantee. For a set with an exciting battery-powered drill, look to the Andrimax Electronic which, in addition to the drill, comes with 44 other components that consist of both tools and pieces with holes that are made to be joined together.
Another set with a power drill is the American Plastic Toys Deluxe, which comes with five fun interlocking gears as well as a good number of tools. You can store them in the two drawers as well as the pegboard and handy hanging hooks. This set even comes with a pretend cell phone, so kids can really be just like mom or dad. Just be sure to have the required batteries on hand, as they’re not included with your purchase. We added in the Step2 Handy Helpers, which is great for anyone who wants a set that doesn’t take up too much space, so it’s great for apartments or small play rooms. Like many others, it comes with a pegboard for easy organization and cleanup.
For a set that conveniently transforms into a carrying case with a handle, look to the newly added ToyVelt 68 Piece, which comes with some exciting tools like an electronic drill, two types of screwdriver, two types of wrench, a bench vise, and a micrometer. The table is what changes into the case, and the entire set is lightweight at less than four pounds, so your youngster will be able to pack it up and carry it around easily.
Also new to the list are the Joyin Building Set and the iBase Toy Construction, which come with 58 and 91 pieces, respectively, the former of which comes with two construction vehicles that kids can take apart and put back together again using the tools. Both also come with cool battery-powered drills. For safety’s sake, be sure to adhere to the stated age requirements that come with any of these toys, and always keep a close eye on small children to make sure playtime is safe.
Special Honors
Bullseye’s Playground Tool Bench This seven-piece wooden set comes with a power drill, a hand saw, screwdrivers, and a hammer, as well as a work table. It can help kids improve fine motor and observation skills while they enjoy pretending to fix things, just like mom and dad do in real life. It’s suitable for children aged two years and up and requires no assembly. target.com
Crate and Kids Wooden Toy Workbench Kids can work on their imaginary DIY projects with this durable wooden workstation that’s stocked with an assortment of tools, including a play hammer, saw, wrench, screwdriver, and ruler. It also comes with hardware pieces and blocks that can be connected to make your own creations. It offers storage in the form of a bottom shelf and slots on the sides, as well as a top surface with holes for bolts. It’s made for children ages three years and up. crateandbarrel.com
4. Andrimax Electronic
5. American Plastic Toys Deluxe
6. KidKraft Deluxe
7. Step2 Handy Helpers
8. ToyVelt 68 Piece
9. Joyin Building Set
10. iBase Toy Construction
Why Buy A Workshop For Your Child?
Workshops are a great way to keep your child busy and to introduce them to new concepts.
Anyone with young children knows that playtime is the name of the game. Kids have plenty of energy and boundless creativity, which means it's up to parents to always be on the lookout for new and exciting ways to keep them amused. Luckily, tool workshops exist that are designed specifically for youngsters.
With a workshop, your child will be occupied for hours on end, experimenting with all kinds of fun tools. Plus, these stations actually promote brain development. They won't realize it, but as your kids tinker with their new tools, they will also be sharpening their fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities. Workshops are a great way to keep your child busy and to introduce them to new concepts. By bringing one of these products into your home can even give your child a head start in subjects like math and science.
Another cool aspect of the kids' workshop is that it will prevent your child from playing with dangerous tools that are meant to be used only by adults. Whenever young children see their parents doing something, they tend to want to imitate the behavior, for better or worse. So, if they catch you working on a project with a wrench, they may try to experiment with the tool when you're finished. Instead of allowing them to do so, and in order to avoid any accidents, provide them with a workshop that comes with lightweight tools that don't have sharp edges. Your son or daughter will appreciate having the chance to mimic what they see when they watch you work, and you'll have peace of mind knowing that there's no chance they could injure themselves or damage your expensive supplies.
If you're looking for a way to entertain your child, but don't want to simply plant them in front of the television for a few hours, consider a kids' workshop. These stations will give your tot a chance to burn off some energy while also learning. Even children who haven't exhibited any interest in tools will be attracted to all of the different accessories and possibilities for play. If you have more than one child, you don't have to worry about them fighting over a chance to use the set; these products come with so many parts, everyone will be able to play at the same time — no tears necessary.
What To Look For In A Kids' Workshop
When shopping for a workshop for your child, there are many things to consider. If you keep these common features in mind, however, finding the right option for your family will be easy and even enjoyable.
It's also important to purchase a workshop that's the right size for your home.
First of all, take the age of your child into account. There are models designed for toddlers, preschoolers, and older kids, too. Toddler workshops usually feature large, bright plastic parts that are easy to grab and manipulate. Older kids have the motor skills necessary to handle smaller tools and can understand more advanced concepts. Usually, you can get a good idea of the age group the toy is intended for just by looking at it, but it's still important to check the packaging to make sure your choice is safe and appropriate for your child.
If you know that your toddler is obsessed with a particular color scheme and won't accept anything that doesn't match it, you're in luck. These play stations come in a range of color combinations, which makes finding a visually pleasing model for your child a simple task.
Another thing you might want to think about is organization. Are you concerned that your house might become a mess thanks to this new toy that comes with a ton of loose pieces? If so, search for a workshop that has built-in storage. You'll notice that there are models on the market that have cabinet-style features for storing everything away once playtime is over.
It's also important to purchase a workshop that's the right size for your home. If you have a dedicated playroom, you probably have enough space to incorporate a larger workshop into the area without overwhelming the rest of your furniture and decor. Individuals who need to maximize their space may opt to purchase a more compact model instead.
Other Details To Consider
Before you pull the trigger on your purchase, you'll also want to review the following notes about additional features you might come across during your search.
We've already covered the topic of safety, but it bears repeating. Inspect the product's published specs to confirm that none of its contents could be a potential choking hazard. This is a particularly important tip if you happen to be the parent of a very young child.
Children who prefer a little bit of structure during playtime will love a workshop that comes with instructions for play.
Some models come simply with an interactive station and toy tools, which together should provide an adequate amount of stimulation to keep younger kids entertained for a while. Older children may be interested not merely in playing around with fake tools, but actually building things with them. There are awesome workshops that come with building materials in addition to tools that are actually functional. This type of shop is certain to please kids who exhibit a creative streak.
Assembly is yet another thing to keep in mind as you shop. Smaller workshops typically require little or no assembly, which should come as a relief to busy parents. The big models, on the other hand, can take a while to set up. So, if you're the best at putting things together yourself, be sure to shop accordingly.
Children who prefer a little bit of structure during playtime will love a workshop that comes with instructions for play. Some models include activity booklets that are written so that kids can easily understand and follow each step. With an interactive workshop, your kids might finally enjoy following directions for once.
Karen Bennett lives in Chicago with her family, and when she’s not writing, she can usually be found practicing yoga or cheering on her kids at soccer games. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s in English, and her writing has been published in various local newspapers, as well as “The Cheat Sheet,” “Illinois Legal Times,” and “USA Today.” She has also written search engine news page headlines and worked as a product manager for a digital marketing company. Her expertise is in literature, nonfiction, textbooks, home products, kids' games and toys, hardware, teaching accessories, and art materials.