Whittling with Kids: A Parent's to Getting Started Safely

Part 1 of the Wood Carving with Children Series, with Annie Haas and Schaaf Tools. You can find more from Annie on her IG.

Please reach out directly to Schaaf Tools to learn about their educational discounts on wood carving tools.

Schaaf Tools spoke with Annie Haas on wood carving with children. We covered safety tips, resources, projects, why wood carving, and more.  Annie wants to empower you with this truth: You don't need to be an expert woodworker to introduce your children to whittling and carving. You don't need to outsource to a professional or sign up for expensive online classes (though those are great too!). You can do this yourself, and we're going to show you how to start safely.

The Safety Question: Let's Address It Head-On

Safety is always the first concern when parents think about giving their children knives. So let's talk about it honestly and practically.

The surprising news? Children as young as four or five can begin whittling with proper supervision and the right tools. Yes, really!

The Best Beginner Knife

The knife I recommend for young children is a small Swedish Morakniv junior carving knife. Here's what makes it perfect for beginners:

• It has a protective barrier between the handle and the blade
• It comes with a protective sheath
• It's designed for small hands
• The size makes it manageable and less intimidating

Pro tip for the very youngest carvers: When your child first starts, wrap a small piece of electrical tape around the tip of the blade. This way, they'll only be carving with the middle section of the knife, adding an extra layer of safety as they learn proper technique.

The Blood Triangle and Safety Rules

In my wood carving classes, I keep a safety sheet posted in our carving area that visually shows:

• The correct carving direction (always away from yourself)
• The "blood triangle" - the danger zone to avoid
• Proper hand positioning

This visual reference helps children remember the rules every time they pick up their knife. We have a safety checklist you can download here

Setting Up for Success

Your Supervision Strategy

When children are very young and just beginning:

• They should sit on a bench while carving
• You should be present and actively supervising the entire time
• If they're very young, you're not carving alongside them - you're watching and guiding
• Tools should be stored up high and taken down only during supervised carving time
• Children must ask permission before using their carving tools

The First Safety Class

If you're working with four or five-year-olds (or any beginners), I recommend making your very first session all about safety:

1. Have a thorough safety talk before any carving begins
2. Consider finding or creating a story about characters who practice safe woodworking
3. Demonstrate the proper motions so children can copy you
4. Make safety memorable so it's truly absorbed, not just heard

The goal is to make safety knowledge so natural that it becomes second nature.

The First Project: Keeping It Simple

For your child's first whittling experience, you'll need:

• A fresh stick - this is important! Green wood is much easier to carve than dried wood. Find a stick that's fresh off a tree, not one that's been lying on the ground for months.
• Your beginner knife
• A supervised space

What to Make First

Start incredibly simple: have your child whittle the end of a stick to a point.

That's it. Really!

This basic whittling achieves so much:

• They learn how to hold the knife
• They practice carving away from themselves
• They experience the satisfaction of shaping wood
• They're not overwhelmed by trying to create something specific

Progressing to Simple Projects

After a week or two of practice (we do "Woodworking Wednesdays" in our home), you can introduce the gnome hat project:

1. Carve a stick to a point
2. Cut off the pointed section
3. You now have a little gnome with a hat!

When children are young, they're often satisfied with just the experience of carving. They don't need elaborate projects. The joy is in the doing, the feel of the knife shaping the wood, the focus required. Keep projects simple, and let their interest guide the complexity level.

As they grow in skill and confidence, you can gradually introduce more complicated projects. Books like "Toymaking with Children" by Freya Jaffke show simple wooden figures without detailed faces - perfect next-step projects that maintain the simplicity young children need.

Additional Safety Equipment (Optional)

Beyond the basic knife and supervision, you might consider:

• Carving gloves - Inexpensive and protective, especially for the hand holding the wood (not necessarily the knife hand)
• Safety goggles - To protect against wood flecks
• A dust mask - Useful when you progress to sanding projects

Whether you use these is entirely up to you and what makes you comfortable.

Working with Your Child's Temperament

Every child is different, and you know yours best. Here's how to adjust your approach:

For the Rowdy or Playful Child

• Be extra thorough with safety rules
• Take time to ensure they understand before starting
• Consider multiple safety discussions
• Keep sessions shorter at first

For the Hesitant or Scared Child

• Go very slowly
• Use the electrical tape on the knife tip
• Offer lots of reassurance
• Let them watch you or an older sibling first
• Make the experience calm and pleasant

Finding the Balance

You don't want children to be careless, but you also don't want them to be afraid. The goal is comfortable confidence that comes with time and practice.

Setting Realistic Expectations

Your first session might last only five or ten minutes. That's perfectly normal and perfectly fine!

Introduce whittling gradually:

• Some children will dive right in
• Others might find it uncomfortable or awkward at first
• Both responses are okay

Make woodworking time pleasant and welcoming. If you can, tie it to a story about other children who have learned to carve. Seeing that "other children do this" can help normalize the experience and build confidence.

Return to it regularly - weekly is ideal - and let skills build naturally over time.

Creating Your Woodworking Space

I keep a dedicated woodworking area in our home:

• A shelf with all our woodworking supplies on the higher section out of reach
• Example wood carving pieces displayed 
• The safety sheet posted at eye level
• Everything organized and accessible (to parents, stored safely from children)

Having a designated space signals to children that this is a special, important activity.

The Bottom Line

Don't let safety concerns become a barrier to woodworking. With the right tools, proper supervision, and age-appropriate instruction, even very young children can safely learn this valuable skill.

Remember: You're right there. You're supervising. You're teaching. And you're giving your child the gift of creating something with their own hands.

In my next article, we'll explore how to progress through different age groups and grades, plus more specific book and tool recommendations.

Recommended Tools & Resources:

• Swedish beginner carving knife (with sheath)
• Carving gloves
• Free safety sheet download (available at anniehaas.com)
• "Toymaking with Children" by Freya Jaffke

Remember: Start simple, supervise closely, and let your child's interest and ability guide the pace. Happy whittling!

This article is based on "The Child is the Curriculum" video series by Annie Haas in partnership with Schaaf Wood Carving Tools.