Summer is finally here, and kids are thrilled about having ample time to play outside. What can your family do if it’s raining or too hot out? These days are perfect for DIY projects you can enjoy for the rest of the season. All they need is a trip to the hardware store and a little imagination. Here are a few suggestions kid of all ages will enjoy.

5 Kid-Friendly Projects That Start at the Hardware Store

1. Wind Chime

No summer breeze is complete without a chime. Start with a single dowel or two slats screwed together in an X. Older kids may feel comfortable using tools to cut discs out of wood, so they can experiment with tiered wind chimes. Have your kids string their favorite beads or pick up nuts and washers at the hardware store for decoration.

2. Picture Frame

Expecting to have a collection of vacation and camp photos at the end of the summer? Start making frames to hold these special memories. Basic frames only need a little trimming and sanding before you attach the pieces with wood glue and fasteners. If your child is more experienced with woodworking, make a mitered frame by using a jigsaw to trim each piece to a 45-degree angle for neat corners.

3. Planter

If your child has a green thumb, help them build a planter to hold their seedlings. Cut pieces for the sides and bottom, attaching cleats, and drilling drainage holes. You can make small square planters to hold one variety each, or a rectangular one that keeps everything in one place. If you want to keep the planter on your deck, mount the box to the railing with a bracket system so it doesn’t fall over.

4. Bee Shelter

Fresh herbs and flowers attract bees. Teach your children about these important pollinators by building them a special place to rest. Use the scrap from your planter to make a solid rectangular block and drill deep holes in the front so the bees can enter and exit. Avoid treated lumber at the hardware store—natural wood is safest for the bees.

5. Birdhouse

This is a classic family project both you and the birds can enjoy for many years. The houses can be as simple or ornate as you like, as long as they have a perch and an entrance hole in the front. Cut the wood into simple squares and turn them diagonally so they look like diamonds. Arrange smaller pieces in a V for the floor, then attach larger pieces to make a sloped roof.

No matter how many of these fun projects you want to try, you’ll find everything at Wolfe Ace Hardware. They’ve been helping families throughout Lancaster County, NE, with a variety of home and garden needs for over 35 years. This hardware store stocks over 80,000 items, ensuring all your materials are in one convenient place. Find new products online, and call (402) 466-7707 for advice on your next DIY adventure.