Features
- COOL 4-IN-1 WOODSHOP TOOL: This super safe working woodshop is a great way for kids to craft, create, and build. Young carpenters can turn out real wood works in no time
- SAFE TO USE: With multiple built-in safety features, kids are free to craft whatever woodwork projects they can imagine without the risk of injury. Parents can feel good about kids using this totally safe woodshop. Safety goggles included
- DEVELOP SKILLS: Kids develop carpentry skills that can jumpstart a lifetime of enjoyment. Set features a jigsaw, lathe, drill press, and sander, and also includes practice wooden dowels, four wood samples, power supply, and deluxe project book
- ENGAGE IN IMAGINATIVE PLAY: This multi-faceted woodworking tool is a great way to inspire kids to disconnect from screens and use their math and engineering skills to develop the imagination
- GREAT GIFT IDEA: The Cool 4-in-1 Woodshop Tool is a gift with a huge WOW factor. Perfect for kids' birthday gifts, toys for girls and boys, Christmas gift, creative play, imaginative play, woodworking gifts, art gifts - or just an any time present for a special child in your life
Specifications
Size | child-size |
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A child-size 4-in-1 woodshop that provides a jigsaw, lathe, drill press and sander for working small wood pieces. It includes a power supply, safety goggles, practice wooden dowels, four wood samples, extra supplies, and a project book, and incorporates built-in safety features to reduce the risk of injury during use.
HearthSong PLAYmake Kids’ 4-in-1 Woodshop Carpentry Cool Tool with Jigsaw, Lathe, Drill Press, Sander, Power Supply, Safety Goggles, Extra Supplies, and Deluxe Project Book Review
I set up the Playmake 4‑in‑1 woodshop on a small bench expecting a toy that mimics shop tools. What I found is a thoughtfully designed, genuinely useful starter system for kids that strikes a smart balance between capability and safety. It won’t replace real shop machinery, but it absolutely teaches real techniques on real wood—with guardrails that keep the learning curve fun rather than frightening.
What’s included and first impressions
Out of the box you get four functions powered by a single low-voltage motor and power supply: a small jigsaw, a miniature lathe, a drill press, and a disc sander. Safety goggles, practice dowels, a few wood samples, and a project book are included, so you can start right away. The red components are plastic, the base is light, and everything is scaled for smaller hands.
Build quality is better than I expected for a child-size kit. The fit of the modular parts is snug, switches feel positive, and nothing rattled loose through multiple sessions. It’s still a lightweight plastic platform, so treat it like a learning tool, not a shop-hardened machine.
Setup and workspace
Assembly is straightforward and tool-less for most swaps. Plan to mount or clamp the base to a table—its light weight means it will walk during use if left loose, especially with the sander or jigsaw. I used two small F‑clamps and that solved all stability issues. A dedicated small table with a clamp edge is ideal.
A bright, movable light helps kids see cut lines, and I recommend setting a small vacuum nearby. Dust output is modest, but good habits start early. The power supply is low-voltage and the cord lengths are generous enough for a kid-sized bench.
Performance by function
Jigsaw (scroll-saw style): This is the star of the system. The thin, fine-tooth blade cleanly cuts soft woods like basswood, balsa, and thin craft plywood. Feed slowly, let the blade do the work, and you’ll get neat curves and shapes. If you force it, the blade will flex and wander, and near the end of internal cuts, thin sections can snap if you rush. Blade alignment matters: seating the blade perfectly square in its holder and flush to the drive mechanism makes a noticeable difference in cut quality. Once dialed in, it’s predictable and safe.
Lathe: The lathe has enough torque for shaping small dowels and soft sticks. It’s not a stock-removal monster; it takes patient, light passes to avoid stalling the motor. That’s actually a teaching advantage—kids learn proper tool pressure and to listen for the motor straining. The included tool shapes work, but I would have liked a couple of different profiles for variety. Sanding while the work spins is very effective for smoothing.
Drill press: Think of it as a pilot-hole station. Quill travel is shallow, and bit sizes should stay small. For thin sheet projects, peg holes, and starting holes for the jigsaw, it’s spot on. It runs true enough for its scale. It’s not intended for deep bores.
Disc sander: Great for easing edges, truing small parts, and refining curves after sawing. Pressure control matters here as well—press too hard and you’ll stall it or glaze the paper. Keep a light touch and rotate the work frequently to avoid rounding where you don’t intend to.
Across all functions, the common thread is deliberate pace. If a child can slow down, watch their line, and apply consistent, light pressure, the results are surprisingly polished.
Safety and skill-building
The built-in safety is thoughtful without neutering the learning. The motor is modestly powered, the blades and abrasives are small, and moving parts are mostly shielded. In use, you can still pinch or scuff a finger, but I never felt like a momentary lapse would end in a trip to urgent care. The included goggles fit kids and should be worn every session.
From a teaching standpoint, this system hits the fundamentals:
- Layout and cut planning (inside vs. outside cuts, relief cuts)
- Feed rate and pressure control
- Listening to the machine for strain
- Workholding and hand placement
- Basic sanding and finishing
The project book is better than a quick leaflet; it offers a few progressive builds that connect the dots between tools. I supplemented with my own sketches to extend projects, but as a starter it’s effective.
Materials and what works best
Stay with soft, thin stock. My best results:
- 1/8 in. basswood or balsa sheets for jigsaw work
- 1/4 in. diameter softwood dowels for lathe practice
- Thin craft plywood for signs and simple puzzles (use slow feed to minimize tear-out)
- Popsicle sticks for quick, gratifying cuts
Avoid hardwoods and thick stock—they sap the little motor and blunt the learning with frustration. For fragile cutouts, placing blue tape on the underside and supporting the last bit of the cut with a finger or scrap reduces breakage.
Tips that made a difference
- Clamp the base. Stability transforms the experience.
- Align the jigsaw blade carefully; a square, flush setup reduces wandering.
- Make relief cuts on tight curves; kids grasp the concept immediately when they see it work.
- Let the lathe teach pressure—light nibbling passes, then sand while spinning.
- Use pencil guidelines and cut just outside the line; sand to final.
- Keep spare sanding discs and a couple of extra blades on hand. They’re consumables.
- Add a small task light. Seeing the line is half the battle.
Durability and maintenance
After several sessions, everything still runs true. I did manage to stall the motor a few times when I intentionally pushed hard; giving it a breather keeps temperatures down. It’s not built for continuous-duty marathons. Expect normal wear on blades and sanding discs, and plan on replacing those periodically.
The plastic components have held up, though I wouldn’t let kids lean on the tables or use them as handles. Tightening fasteners occasionally keeps play-induced looseness at bay.
Age range and independence
With an introduction to each function and a clear talk about hand placement, kids around 7–8 can use this with spot checks. By 9–10, many will work independently on simple projects within set guidelines. For older tweens who want “real” power, this will feel underpowered, but it still teaches technique they can port to larger machines later.
Noise levels are low enough for indoor use, and the footprint is compact. It’s an easy tool to set up on a kitchen table for a weekend project, then stash away.
Limitations worth noting
- Power is intentionally limited. Progress is measured, not instantaneous.
- The light base absolutely needs clamping for best results.
- The jigsaw demands careful setup and patient feed to avoid blade flex.
- The lathe removes material slowly; don’t expect deep coves or aggressive shaping.
- Drill depth is shallow; this is not a full-featured press.
None of these are dealbreakers for the intended audience; they’re trade-offs in service of safety and learning.
Value
For what it costs relative to a collection of single-purpose toy tools, this all-in-one is a better investment. You get four legit processes that build real shop sense, a safe on-ramp to woodworking, and enough capability to keep kids motivated across multiple projects. It’s not a professional tool, but it never pretends to be.
Bottom line
As a first woodworking system for kids, the Playmake 4‑in‑1 woodshop gets the important things right: it’s safe without being sterile, capable without being intimidating, and compact without being flimsy. With a couple of clamps and the right materials, it turns curious hands into confident makers.
Recommendation: I recommend it for families who want to introduce kids (roughly ages 7–12) to real woodworking skills in a controlled, confidence-building way. It rewards patience, teaches good habits, and delivers solid results on soft woods. If you’re looking for more power, deep drilling, or heavy stock removal, you’ll outgrow it quickly; otherwise, it’s an excellent, kid-friendly gateway to the shop.
Project Ideas
Business
Kids' Woodworking Party Packages
Offer themed birthday party packages where kids use child-size woodshops to make one or two projects (e.g., name plaques or mini furniture). Package includes setup, safety briefing, guided instruction, materials, and parental consent forms. Price per child could range from $25–60 depending on materials and duration. Market to parents, schools, and local event planners.
Handmade Micro-Goods Shop
Produce small sellable items—personalized plaques, ornaments, tops, and toy cars—and sell them on Etsy, at craft fairs, and in local boutiques. Position as family-crafted or child-designed to add charm. Use the project's book patterns to scale production and keep consistent quality. Suggested pricing: $8–40 depending on item and personalization.
Pop-up Mobile Woodshop Workshops
Run short pop-up sessions at libraries, farmers markets, and community centers using a few child-size units. Offer 30–60 minute supervised builds for kids, focusing on one safe project per session. Partner with schools and community programs for recurring bookings. Charge per participant and offer group discounts; include liability waivers and basic insurance.
After-school Classes and Summer Camps
Create a structured curriculum (beginner to intermediate) using the 4-in-1 tool: weekly classes teaching jigsaw, lathe, drill press, and sander skills. Offer sessions with progressive projects culminating in a final portfolio or 'maker' certificate. Charge tuition plus a materials fee. Market to parents looking for STEM, hands-on enrichment, and screen-free activities.
Digital Plans, Video Tutorials, and Kits
Monetize expertise by selling downloadable project plans, step-by-step videos, and curated supply kits that match the included practice pieces. Offer a subscription model with monthly projects, seasonal bundles, or printable templates for teachers. Promote via social media, parenting blogs, and maker communities; cross-sell physical items produced in workshops.
Creative
Turned Animal Peg Dolls
Use the lathe and practice dowels to turn simple peg-doll animals (bears, cats, owls). Sand smooth, paint faces and clothing details, and add felt or yarn accents. Great for sequential skill-building: lathe turning, sanding, and hand-painting. Safety notes: supervise lathe use, provide goggles, and restrict fine-detail tools to adults. Time: 20–40 minutes per doll once patterns are set.
Miniature Dollhouse Furniture
Cut tiny chairs, tables, beds and shelves from the included wood samples using the jigsaw and sander; use the drill press for peg joints or dowel axles. Kids can design scales (1:12 or 1:24), assemble with wood glue, and finish with stain or paint. Teaches measurement, cutting, sanding, and assembly. Make sets like bedroom, kitchen, or patio for imaginative play.
Personalized Name Plaques
Create custom door/name plaques by tracing letters and shapes on wood, cutting with the jigsaw, drilling hanging holes, then sanding and painting. Offer layered designs by cutting backboards and raised letters. Good beginner project — teaches template use, safe jigsaw operation, and finishing. Makes excellent gifts and keepsakes.
Spinning Tops and Toy Cars
Turn spinning tops on the lathe and make small wooden cars using jigsaw-cut bodies with dowel axles and lathe-turned wheels. Sand and finish with food-safe wax for a smooth feel. These toys are a fun way to practice symmetry, balance, and axle/drill press work. Durable, fast-to-make items ideal for play or gifting.
Seasonal Ornaments and Decorations
Cut seasonal shapes (trees, hearts, pumpkins, stars) with the jigsaw, sand edges smooth, drill a hole for hanging, then paint and seal. Kids can make themed packs for holidays, classroom swaps, or to decorate the home. Quick to produce in multiples and great for teaching repeatable finishing techniques.