Black & Decker Junior Power Tool Workshop

First impressions

The first time I powered up the toy miter saw on this kids’ workbench, two things stood out: the sound and motion are convincing enough to feel “real” to a child, and the whole station is more thoughtfully organized than most play benches I’ve tested. This isn’t just a pile of plastic tools. It’s a compact workspace with a clear place for everything, and enough interactive parts to invite open-ended building sessions.

I tested the workbench with a mix of solo play and supervised sessions. It arrives as a freestanding station with a modest footprint and a 38-inch height—tall enough to feel like a workstation, low enough for preschoolers to reach everything. At 12.1 pounds, it’s light to move for adults yet stable enough that it didn’t wobble during enthusiastic sawing and drilling.

Setup and build quality

Assembly is straightforward. The bench panels and storage trays snap together and secure with a few screws; it’s the kind of setup you do once and forget. Out of the box, the plastic feels rigid and well-finished, with rounded edges where it matters. The vice opens smoothly and holds the included “wood” pieces securely without slippage. Hooks and trays are distributed across the backboard and sides, so you can actually keep the 75 pieces in order.

Battery power drives the marquee features (no battery is included). It’s worth setting expectations here: these are toy mechanisms with sound and motion, designed for sensory realism rather than cutting or drilling capability, and they do their job well. The switches are satisfying, and the motor noise is present without being obnoxious.

Powered features that make the difference

• Drill press: The lever action is spot-on for teaching the motion of a real press. The pretend chuck spins, and the motor sound ramps as you pull down. Kids quickly learn to line up holes and “drill” them, which is great for hand-eye coordination.

• Miter saw: The pivoting head and guarded blade are the stars of the set. Pressing the power button cues a convincing spin-up sound, and the blade rotates behind a safe shroud. The action rewards proper grip and positioning, reinforcing safe habits even in pretend play.

• Flashlight: The articulating head is more useful than I expected. We bent it to spotlight the vice or create “under-cabinet” lighting during imaginary repairs. It’s a small feature that adds a lot of role-play options.

All three are tactile, with buttons that click and levers that travel. That feedback makes a big difference in how long kids stay engaged.

The workspace and accessories

The bench ships with a full kit: a hand saw, screwdriver, hammer, wrench, vice, toy phone, accessory bin, 15 screws, 5 nails, 22 nuts, a toolbox, and wood pieces for a simple project. The tray system earns special praise. There are multiple storage wells and hooks, so after a chaotic build session, cleanup is intuitive: screws in the bin, tools on hooks, scraps in the lower tray. If you’ve ever watched a playset become a mess magnet, you’ll appreciate this layout.

The vice is the workhorse. It clamps the included wood pieces securely, which makes “drilling” and “sawing” feel purposeful. The miter saw station and drill press are sized right for those pieces, so kids start to understand station-based workflow—clamp, measure, cut, assemble.

A starter project that teaches process

The kit includes wood pieces to build a tool caddy. It’s a simple, confidence-building project that shows how the parts are meant to work together. We used the drill press motion to “pre-drill” holes, then threaded screws through, tightened nuts, and tapped in the play nails. There’s just enough structure to be instructive, but enough leeway to let kids improvise. It’s also a good way to introduce sequencing: gather parts, assemble, check fit, adjust.

I like that the project fits back into the play loop—once the caddy is built, it becomes storage for the screws and nuts. That kind of circular play (make the tool you use to manage the tools) extends the life of the set.

Size, stability, and home fit

At 21 inches long and 16.2 inches deep, the bench earns its spot in smaller rooms. It tucks neatly along a wall, and at 38 inches tall it feels substantial without dominating the space. The weight keeps it planted, but if you have highly energetic builders, placing it flush to a wall adds peace of mind. Rubber feet would have been nice, but on a rug or play mat it stays put.

Noise is toy-typical—enough to sound like “real tools,” not so loud that it becomes an issue in apartments during daytime hours. Evening play might require a softer touch if you share walls.

Learning and play value

Beyond the obvious role-play appeal, there’s a lot of skill-building here:

• Fine motor work: Threading nuts and tightening screws requires deliberate hand movements.
• Bilateral coordination: The vice encourages one hand to stabilize while the other operates tools.
• Problem-solving: Translating a 2D idea into a 3D build, even with toy parts, is real brain work.
• Vocabulary: It’s an easy way to introduce terms like “clamp,” “press,” “miter,” and “fasten.”

Because the tools are cordless and self-contained, kids can shift between stations without snagging or supervising cable management. That fluidity keeps the momentum going.

Durability, maintenance, and safety

The plastic components hold up well under normal play. After a week of regular use, I didn’t see stress whitening at joints or cracks at the vice. The moving parts on the powered tools resisted wobble or grinding. To keep things tidy, a quick wipe with a damp cloth gets rid of dust and fingerprints.

Safety is solid for a toy of this type. Edges are rounded, powered parts are fully shrouded, and the vice faces are broad enough to avoid pinching. As with any set that includes small nuts and screws, I recommend supervising younger siblings and setting up a “parts parking lot” in the accessory bin so nothing ends up underfoot. The powered sounds are fixed-volume; I’d welcome a low/high switch, but volume is within a comfortable range.

Battery note: You’ll need to supply the battery to activate the powered features. Keep a spare on hand if play sessions run long, as kids tend to cycle the tools frequently once they get into character.

What could be better

• Fewer tiny parts would be welcome for households with toddlers. The screws and nuts are key to the experience, but they multiply under couches if you don’t use the bins diligently. Consider setting a “build zone” rule to contain parts on a mat.

• A volume toggle or softer sound profile would make evening play easier in shared spaces.

• Printed project cards would be a nice addition. The tool caddy is a great start—two or three more beginner builds (picture frame, mini shelf) would stretch the set even further without adding pieces.

None of these are deal-breakers; they’re refinements that would take an already capable bench to the next level.

Who it’s for (and who it isn’t)

If you have a child who gravitates toward building, fixing, or simply loves cause-and-effect toys, this workbench hits the mark. It’s especially good for preschoolers and early elementary kids who can manage small parts and follow a simple build sequence. If your household includes very young toddlers who put objects in their mouths, you’ll want to supervise closely or stash the small hardware temporarily.

Space-conscious families will appreciate the compact footprint. Educators and caregivers will value the open-ended stations and the way the powered tools anchor attention without overwhelming the room.

Final thoughts and recommendation

This workbench succeeds by combining realistic, battery-powered stations with an organized, kid-scaled workspace and a generous kit of accessories. The drill press and miter saw offer satisfying motion and sound; the vice and trays make the whole setup feel purposeful; and the included tool-caddy project bridges the gap between pretend and process. The build quality is sturdy, the footprint is friendly to smaller rooms, and the play pattern invites both solo tinkering and guided projects.

I recommend this workbench. It’s a well-rounded, thoughtfully designed set that encourages hands-on problem-solving and imaginative play without taking over your living room. Bring a battery, set up a parts bin system from day one, and you’ll have a station that kids return to again and again.