If you’re looking for a fun event to keep the kiddos busy, then check out the Home Depot Kids Workshop! It’s offered the first Saturday of every month and it’s fun for the whole family! Here are some things you should know before you go!
- It’s FREE! – Yep, Home Depot Kids Workshops are free! You will want to register at homedepotkidsworkshop.com so that the store can prepare for all of the kids. But one important thing to note: Registering does not guarantee materials. It’s possible your local store could run out of the materials for the advertised monthly project, but I’ve heard that they may offer a previous month’s project so that your kids don’t leave empty-handed.
- Arrive Early! – The event is held between 9am-12pm or until they run out of supplies. Also, some stores hold the event indoors while others set it up outside. My local store held the event outdoors and fortunately we never had any issues with running out of the monthly project regardless of our arrival time. I have, however, seen them run out of paintbrushes and paint but that was closer to the noon timeframe. So I do recommend arriving early to get a feel for your store and to guarantee that your kids get all of the materials. Also, dress appropriately in case your store holds the workshop outside as well.
- Be Patient! – Especially with the younger kids! The workshop is geared for kids around the 5-12 age range, but I’ve seen kids and adults of all ages enjoying the project. The instructions include step-by-step details with illustrations and the projects are pretty basic so don’t think you have to build an entire house or something. But the nails can be kind of small and you probably don’t want your two or three-year-old swinging around a hammer, so you will have to do some work if you plan to bring the younger kids. My 3 (almost 4) year old had fun helping with the building process and then I gave her full creative control with the paint and stickers. Also, you will be sharing tools and possibly paint/paintbrushes with others at your table so have some patience with the other kids, too!
- There’s a Facebook Group! – I mean, there’s a group for everything…right?! 😉 Someone (not Home Depot) created a Facebook group to connect people around the country and so that everyone can share their workshop experiences and finished projects. And if you are searching for a particular project from a previous month, you can request that someone send you something that you missed. They usually request that you send money for shipping, but nobody should ever ask you to send money for the project itself. If you see anyone selling these projects or pins, please report them to the admin. These projects are free and nobody should be making a profit from it. And if you’d like to know what exactly you will be creating each month, you can also find the annual calendar along with the bonus holiday events posted within the group. You can find the group here.
- There’s SWAG! – Every kid receives an apron with their name on it; a unique pin that illustrates the project; and a certificate of completion! If you forget your apron the next month, don’t worry, they’ll give you another…but it’s fun to see how many pins you can collect on your apron! I’ve seen some aprons completely covered!
- Have Fun! – Most importantly, just have fun…because learning is fun! Even if you arrive late and they run out of some supplies, just make the best of it! You’ll enjoy watching your little builders focus on their projects and really showing their creativity! Join in the fun and get messy too! (Most stores will have wipes on the table.) The employees really enjoy the event too so be sure to thank them for their kindness and positivity! You’ll create lasting memories with your kids and they’ll love showing off their completed projects to their family and friends!
***Contact your local store to confirm time and availability!
Have you attended a Home Depot Kids Workshop? What did you think?!
I’m off to review the next event!
~SM
The Swag Mama 