Do you want an incursion that has it all?

What if I told you, we have the PERFECT incursion for you?

A unique experience the children won’t forget. Guaranteed!

We are Little Woodworkers®

An Australian Made & Owned family business offering fun engaging woodwork incursions for preschool & primary school children. They make their own quality wooden toys and learn about SUSTAINABILITY in a unique & MEMORABLE way.

Our incursions help children explore their creativity through woodwork, developing skills that potentially spark an interest in a future creative career path. Children participating in our woodwork activities are being made environmentally aware.

What teachers say about our incursions:

Loved every minute.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our recent workshop with Jim. The children loved every minute of it. I think if Jim had been there all day, they would have happily constructed their woodwork creations all day long. I loved the way Jim spent time prior to commencing the woodwork, talking about wood, trees and the animals that inhabit them. Great teaching by Jim with a most captive audience. Again our sincere thanks. We will definitely have you again next year with our unit on Creativity.”
— Theresa Virgona, Primary School Teacher
ST THOMAS MORE PRIMARY SCHOOL, Mt Eliza
It was the best day ever.

“Jim was amazing, the children absolutely loved the incursion and were filled with enthusiasm and excitement the entire time. They particularly enjoyed the animal activity and finding out about the wildlife that lives in our trees. Here is what the children have to say, "Can Jim come every day?", "I liked when Jim pretended to be an Owl.", "IT WAS THE BEST DAY EVER!" Thanks again Kerstin and Jim for organising. ☺”
— Bronte Lincoln, 4-Year-Old Teacher
GOODSTART EARLY LEARNING Brighton Cochrane Street
It was perfect.

“Thank you for the wonderful incursion. Jim was fantastic with the children and we loved the information he presented also about the environment and trees.
We have done quite a bit over the year on the environment and the importance of nature and trees to sustaining our environment so it was perfect.”
— Tricia McKinley, Primary School Teacher
ST TIMOTHY’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, Vermont
Such a wonderful experience.

“Such a wonderful experience once again for all the children (and educators too). The parents couldn't believe that the children had made the Aeroplane independently and even more amazed with the use of real tools (so great). You and Jim are such a good team! One day you must come along and see how the children respond to Jim's woodwork session... Thanks again for everything you both do to provide this important experience for our young children.”
— Annette Tsindos, Director & Early Childhood Teacher
CIVIC KINDERGARTEN, Middle Park
Positive hands-on experience.

“The students were in awe of what they learned and built. They had so much they wanted to share during discussion time with Jim. One little student thought it was 'magic' when Jim demonstrated building the Bird Feeder. It was such a positive 'hands-on' experience for our students and the introductory session was informative and gave our students an understanding of the importance of sustainability as well as a demonstration of products made from wood. Thanks again.”
— Angela Cardamone, Prep Learning & Leading Teacher
ST KEVIN’ S PRIMARY SCHOOL, Hampton Park
Always FANTASTIC!

“We’ve had Jim from Little Woodworkers® come out and do incursions with our Foundation students for the past 4 years. The incursions are always FANTASTIC! Very engaging and hands on, and the students really enjoy making their wooden toys. A fantastic incursion that we highly recommend. Thanks Jim.”
— Tamara Furyk , Foundation Teacher
CHELTENHAM EAST PRIMARY SCHOOL

Benefits

Our incursions

fulfill the **EYLF Learning Outcomes**
tie in well with the **STEM inquiry units**
impart an important **sustainability message**
help children **make the connection** between their environment and every day wooden items
have the potential for **follow-up lessons and activities**
ensure the children **remember this experience** for a long time to come

The children

broaden their knowledge base
feel a **sense of connection** to nature
develop an **awareness and appreciation** of the world around us
receive a **positive sustainability message** *(and understand it)*
develop and encourage **fine motor skills**
create **positive and lasting memories**

What parents say about our incursions:

Best quality project ANY of my kids have ever made at kindy.

“My little guy brought home a Little Woodworkers® Aeroplane. He was so proud! He plays with it all the time. It is the best quality project ANY of my kids have ever made at kindy.”
— Angela, Mum of 3 boys
HAMPTON COMMUNITY KINDERGARTEN
So excited and thoroughly enjoyed every minute.

“My son Xavier attends Acacia Avenue Preschool in Mentone and was lucky enough to have Little Woodworkers® as an incursion. Xavier was so excited by the class and thoroughly enjoyed every minute. He had been proud as punch showing everyone his "Helicopter" that he "banged" together!!”
— Kerryn, Mum
ACACIA AVENUE PRESCHOOL, Mentone
Creative in their own and unstructured way.

“What a great workshop for children! The kids are introduced to woodwork and they get to build their own quality wooden toy. I like the way Jim keeps a great balance between showing the children what to do and also letting them be creative in their own and unstructured way.”
— Gine B., Mum of 3
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR
He loves his plane so much that he is sleeping with it!

“Hunter had the best time. He loves his plane so much that he is sleeping with it! Thanks Little Woodworkers®, you are the best!!”
— Melissa, Mum
President of HAMPTON COMMUNITY KINDERGARTEN

What the children can expect

Each incursion starts with a SAFETY TALK. The children get to try on safety spectacles, which is more for effect than any danger involved (see also our FAQ’s).

Our incursions for mixed groups (3-5-year-olds), 4-year-olds and Prep to Grade 2 students are 90 minutes in duration. These included a mat-time talk with a fun engaging demonstration (with cute props) about the importance of trees in sustaining our environment.

The children LOVE it. And more importantly... they get it.

All children within one group work on the same project. This way each child can easily follow Jim's demonstration. He explains and demonstrates each process clearly and facilitates the children where needed.

Then the "serious" woodworking begins. Jim asks leading questions throughout to help guide them through their own creative process.

Each child gets to make and take home her/his own proper wooden toy they made all by themselves.

kinder_incursion_little_woodworkers — But wait, there’s MORE

This one frequently surprises teachers as they think, the incursion is finished. But it’s not.
Each child *then* gets to be even more creative in their own **individual UNSTRUCTURED way** with our **creative box** of random wooden shapes, blocks and dowels.
This often leads to some very **surprising results!**

What children say about our incursions:

“I made a hammer point tank, I like drilling and I liked when Jim showed us all the things and hammering in the wheels.”
— Anna, Grade 1 student
“I liked best to make the Aeroplanes and all the little creatures that live in the tree and the big creatures and we got to make our own things.”
— Elise, Foundation student
“I liked what we made and I really liked what Jim showed us and I like woodwork! I liked Jim and every toy and woodwork thing.”
— Emily, 4-Year-Old Kindergarten
“It was the BEST day of my life!”
— Alexander, Grade 1 student
“I liked the drills and the hammers and I liked the animals Jim showed us and the tree.”
— Charlie, Foundation student
“We got to use all the screws without our moms and dads helping us!”
— Benji, 3-Year-Old Kindergarten
“I did some hammering with mallets, I liked hammering in the wheels and I made a sliding spaceship.”
— Philippe, 4-Year-Old Kindergarten

Teacher’s Resources

Jim and I sat together and spent hours (days really) tailoring the EYLF Learning Outcomes to our Little Woodworkers® incursions to show you all the benefits.

They are perfect for the children's/students portfolios. The PDF download is included with every booking confirmation email.

LEARN MORE →

How to book us

The quickest & easiest way to secure your date is via our short Booking Enquiry Form.

Once we receive the filled in form, you receive an email from me to confirm your preferred date.

If it’s not available, I will suggest an alternative. (Please provide your first name so I know who to write the email out to.)

As soon as we have the date or dates confirmed, you receive a booking confirmation with all the details. EASY!

BOOKING ENQUIRY FORM →

More praise from teachers:

It was so engaging

“Hi Kerstin, Just wanted to say a big thanks for all your organisation to help our incursions to run smoothly. Thank you so much to Jim for the running of our wonderful incursions yesterday - all our Preps loved it!! It was so engaging and they had such a fantastic time learning how to make their wooden Aeroplanes! ✈️ We will definitely look forward to booking another incursion with you again!”
— Allison Weerappah, Foundation Teacher
ST MARY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL, Hampton
Covers so many areas of the curriculum

“Jim has such a lovely manner with the students. His passion is evident and the incursion covers so many areas of the curriculum. It was such a joy as an educator to see every student complete the task, gain confidence and have experienced such a sense of achievement. Thank you Jim.”
— Kelly McKenzie,
PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER & COORDINATOR
Enjoyed the experience immensely

“Jim's Little Woodworkers® incursion was brilliant! The children were engaged and enthralled the whole time he was running the session. The excitement continued the next day when the children painted their work. The children enjoyed the experience immensely. Thank you again. Please contact us next February to remind me to book Jim again.”
— Nathaniel Harding, Early Childhood Teacher
MAHOGANY RISE CHILD & FAMILY CENTRE, Frankston
Impressed with the quality of his presentation

“The session was fantastic! The children thoroughly enjoyed it and Jim was great with them. His session was so informative and we were impressed with the quality of his presentation! Thank you also for the great resources for their portfolios! We will definitely use your service again and recommend to all our early childhood contacts! Thank you so much.”
— Kirsty Patullo, Kindergarten Teacher, Kids Company, Cheltenham

Take your pick below for YOUR children’s woodwork adventure!

3-year-olds

4-year-olds

Foundation to Grade 2

Grade 3 - Grade 6

Holiday Program

Woodwork PACKAGES

“I'm absolutely loving your work. Some of my fondest memories of my grandfather is him teaching me the wonder of constructing something out of such a lovely material. Wood! We need more hands-on activities like yours for children. The skills you are teaching are being lost. Keep up the fantastic work!”

— Simon Hutchinson, Director & Creator of CLIMBING TREE NATURE PLAY AND SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANCY

If you would like your group to experience our unique Little Woodworkers® incursions, click here for our quick and easy booking enquiry form.

Once you enter all the details, click Submit.
We block the date or dates and send you an email.
(Please note, we can only hold dates for 48 hours.)
If not available, we will contact you with alternative dates.
Once we have everything, we email you the booking confirmation with all the details.

Should you have any other questions, click here for our FAQ section.

Or, if you would like to CONTACT US, click here to get in touch.