Home Depot Kids Workshop builds projects and families

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Valley News: Allie, 7, left, and Brenna Green, 8, show the result of their hard work building a Valentine Bean Bag Toss at the Home Depot Kids Workshop.

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

THATCHER – “We’re trying to teach the kids a little pride and accomplishment,” Jason Green said. “I didn’t do a lot of projects like this growing up, so we try to do crafts to do something they will feel good about and learn something along the way.”

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Valley News: Twins Mia, left, and Jed Dowdney, 6, work on their projects.

On the first Saturday of the month, Home Depot stores around the country sponsor a free class for children called the Home Depot Kids Workshop. Jason Green brought his two daughters, Brenna, 8, and Allie, 7, to the Thatcher Home Depot’s workshop Saturday to build a Valentine Bean Bag Toss. Jason said he likes taking his girls to the workshops because he works a lot during the week and he enjoys spending the Saturday with a little family time that enriches his children.

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Valley News: Hannah Messick beams with joy over her finished project.

Brenna told Gila Valley News that she liked the hammering part of the build the best, while Allie said she preferred the fine art of painting her finished project. 

The events are held from 9 – 11 a.m. and usually draw a big crowd. One merely has to follow the sound of hammering and the buzzing of a group of children to find the workshop in the store.

Jackie Dowdney, of Safford, brought her twins, Jed and Mia, 6, to the workshop. She said she likes how building the projects help her children progress.

“It helps them with coordination and to be able to learn skills,” she said.

Tim Messick, of Thatcher, said he brings his children to do the projects simply because they enjoy doing them as a family.

“It’s just fun for them,” he said. “They have a blast. It’s a good way to chew up some time on a Saturday and have a good time.”

There is a different project every month and upon completion of each one, children receive a certificate and a pin. Some children also have Home Depot smocks, which they adorn with their completed pins as enlisted men would affix their medals on their uniforms.

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Valley News: Charlene Dowdney, 14 months, gets a little help painting from her mother, Betty Jo Dowdney.

The workshops are designed for children 5-12 and an adult must stay with the children as they complete the project. The projects are good for both boys and girls to perform and the projects differ every month. Next month’s project is a periscope, but one should not wait until the latter part of the construction time to show up because, due to the popularity of the program, sometimes project supplies have been known to run out before the allotted time. But if one is looking for a fun, family activity on a Saturday, the Home Depot Kids Workshop just might be something to try.

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Valley News: The Home Depot Kids Workshop takes place on the first Saturday of the month from 9 – 11 a.m.