It feels very rewarding and empowering – not to mention financially beneficial – to be able to take on basic do-it-yourself (DIY) projects around a home. But these are not skills that are taught in school or with a special class. Parents should take the time to equip their teens with the knowledge and ability to handle everyday maintenance tasks. Knowing how to use tools like hammers, screwdrivers, and wrenches and how to perform fundamental tasks, such as sewing on a button or unclogging a toilet, fosters independence and confidence, as well as saving your teen money and stress in the future.
Teaching Teens DIY Skills for Independent Living
If you’d like to teach our child DIY basics, here are a few ideas:
Show Teens How to Use Basic Tools
- Measuring Tape: Used for taking accurate measurements in various DIY projects.
- Hammer: Essential for driving nails into wood or other materials.
- Screwdriver (both flathead and Phillips): Required for tightening or loosening screws in different applications.
- Pliers: Useful for gripping, bending, or cutting wires and other materials.
- Wrench: Necessary for tightening or loosening nuts and bolts.
- Level: Crucial for ensuring surfaces and decorations are straight.
- Utility Knife: Versatile cutting tool for a variety of tasks.
- Safety Gear: Protective eyewear, gloves, and ear protection (for noisy power tools) should always be used when working with tools.
Fixing Leaky Faucets
A leaky faucet is not just annoying; it can also waste a lot of water. Teach your teen how to identify and fix common issues like worn-out washers or O-rings. It’s a simple task that can be done with basic tools. They should also be aware of how to turn off the main water line, as well as the bathroom water line.
Unclogging Drains
Clogged drains are a common issue in any household. Equip your teen with a plunger and a drain snake. Teach them how to safely clear clogs without damaging the pipes. Since pipes clog up so easily, learning how to clear them saves a ton of money from having to call a plumber.
Hanging Artwork
Putting up photos and art on the walls instantly transforms any living space into something beautiful and special. Show your teen the different types of hangers, ranging from simple nails or mounting tape for lightweight pieces to drywall anchors or wall hooks for heavier items. Arm your teen with a level and measuring tape and teach them how to determine where their pieces should go.
Painting Tips and Tricks
A fresh coat of paint can improve the look and cleanliness of any space. Teach your teen how to prepare surfaces, choose the right paint, use painter’s tape, and apply it evenly.
Installing Curtain Rods
Hanging curtain rods is a straightforward task that can make a big difference in a room’s appearance and protect privacy. Guide your teen through measuring, drilling, and securing the rods.
Vent Cleaning and Replacement
Your teen might not even realize that homes are full of vents that need to be cleaned or filters replaced. Show your teen where the vents are for your dryer, oven, bathroom exhaust, and ac/heater. Teach your teen how to check, clean, or replace the appropriate filter, as well as how to figure out which filters to purchase.
Sew On a Button
No matter your teen’s age or gender, everyone should know at least how to thread a needle and sew on a button. Being able to do this simple repair can save tons of money from replacing otherwise good clothing.
How to Motivate a Teen to Learn DIY Skills
While it might be hard to gain your teen’s interest in DIY projects, it’s worth the effort. If your teen doesn’t seem all that interested in learning these basic home maintenance tasks, you can try to entice them in a couple of different ways. You might try scheduling one-on-one time with them, like a date, and tell them you want 30 minutes to teach them some DIY skills and then they can have 30 minutes to teach you something of their choice. You could also try appealing to their financial sense by collecting the pricing for painters, plumbers, seamstresses and handymen so that they can see how much they can save with a little knowledge. Sometimes, we have to wait until our teens become young adults before they discover the value of learning these skills, so even if you can’t get your teen interested now, they might become interested when they move into their first place on their own.