How to use a hammer: String Art Project for Kids
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If you’ve never used tools before, it can be so intimidating! I have met so many adults who have no knowledge and have developed a fear of tools because of it. This is why I have been teaching my children basic understanding of both hand and power tools to last them a lifetime. My daughter loves coming to my shop with me and is always asking to learn how to use tools and because she has had a lot of practice, she not only knows how to properly use a hammer but isn’t afraid to jump right in! In this post, we will be teaching you how to create a beautiful piece of string art, all while practicing how to use a hammer.
What is a better way to teach than with a fun activity? Creating string art with small nails is the perfect, repetitive activity to be able to teach proper use of a hammer. You can also use any image with an outline, but I have some free stencil templates below!
Here is the supplies you will need:
Hammer, preferably a 8-12oz, here is the one I recommend for kids
Piece of scrap wood for a backer
Paint (if you’d like to paint the wood a different color)
Brushes
Small nails (less than 1” long)
Paper stencil (sign up below and get free stencils!)
String
Clothespin
You can visit my full Amazon list for this project here.
Step 1:
Make sure there are no sharp edges/splinters on the wood you are using. If so sand the edges down slightly.
*Pro tip: Put it inside a cardboard box while painting to create less mess!
Step 2:
If you’d like it painted instead of natural wood, have your kiddo paint the backer and let it dry fully. We did two coats on ours.
Step 3:
Gather supplies. Make sure you are using a surface you can hammer on top of. Also, it will be a little noisy, I recommend headphones for anyone that would be sensitive to that sound, and also a wood work table seems to absorb more sound.
Step 4:
Lay paper stencil on top of wood, you can use painters tape to secure it if you’d like. It is important to hold the hammer at the base and not up by the head. This makes the weight of the hammer do the work.
When you begin, hold the nail between two fingers and gently tap it in enough that you can remove your fingers. Once you have done this, hold your face back from the design, and lift the hammer higher than before to do more powerful taps. Keep reiterating to your kids to keep your face back and safe, along with fingers. To try and hit straight from above. Hammer one nail in on the line. Hammer in nails along the whole outline. Use this step to go over proper technique. If the nail does start to bend towards the side, STOP hammering (for the sake of all fingers) and try to straighten it back up. Then lift the hammer and give it a few good whacks to get it secure. It is important to try and get the nails hammered in to the same height. The repetitiveness of this activity will reinforce good technique. Try to stay as calm as possible and repeat the same phrases. In my video I highlight what worked for my daughter.
*Pro tip: If you are worried about little fingers, a wood clothes pin can help! This can be used to hold the nail in place while it’s started. As they get more confident they may ditch the clothes pin altogether, which is the whole point of the project!
Step 5:
Once the outline(s) is done. choose your string color and tie it to one nail. Then, I simply went across the design, twisted around another nail and repeated this until I felt the design was “colored” in. Each template will be different so it can be a little trial and error to figure out what will work, but that’s part of the fun!
Step 6:
Tie off the string to another nail, snip off the extra and behold your masterpiece!
I’ve included a full video of the process below, with step by step instructions as well. I hope you enjoy this fun activity that encourages the safe learning of tools. I’d love to hear your feedback and see your masterpieces as well!