Home Depot Two Pot Window Planter
Average Customer Review:
Toy

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Here's the perfect first planting project for the budding horticulturist. Witheasy-to-follow instructions, the Home Depot Window Planter is zen-like in its simplicity. There are twoprojects here: first you put the planter together and then you grow the seeds. You'll need ahammer, sandpaper, and safety goggles to put the planter together. The planter consists of threewooden parts that first slide together and then can be nailed firmly in place with the nails that areprovided. The next step is to plant the seeds. You get two soil pellets, one for each pot. Put thepellets in the pots and put the pots on a plate. Add a little water and wait for the soil to swell, andswell it does, almost to the top of the pot (that in itself is worth the price of admission, for some.)There are two packages of seeds. We got two nasturtium seeds and a handful of sunflower seeds. Press the seeds into the soil, and though the instructions don't say to, moisten the seeds with alittle more water. Now the pots are ready to go into the planter and sit on a windowsill or someother sunny spot. All that's left to do is keep those seeds moist and watch them sprout. There arecare instructions on the back of each seed packet, as well as a description of the type of flower.--M. Sullivan ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Planter
My 4 year old son received this item for Christmas.He and my husband built the planter.Then when spring rolled around they planted the seeds and placed the planter in our sunroom.In a few days we had little sprouts.My son thoroughly enjoyed watching them grow every day.I have since replanted them in a larger pot.My husband threw the seed packet away so I have no idea what they are but my son is so excited that he planted them and "made them grow".

two pot window planter
Big idea. This window planter is tiny.Like a doll size.... Was not worth it. The pots are the size of a single nursery cell plant and really cheap looking plastic.Waste of money.Home Depot ought to be embarassed to have their name on it! ... Read more

Asin: B000059LUS
Subjects:  1. Pretend Play    2. Tools   

Wooden Birdhouse Kit
Average Customer Review:
Toy

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

This small and very simple birdhouse makes a satisfyingwoodworking project, and requires just a hammer and a Phillips-headscrewdriver to complete. Seven precut and predrilled pieces of wood areincluded, as are all the screws and nails you'll need. No decoratingsupplies are included, but suggestions for painting, staining, orvarnishing are included with the assembly instructions. --RichardFarr ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Thi kit is great!
I bought this for my 5-year old. She needed help putting it together, but she painted it by herslef and had a great time. These kits are reasonably priced, too. I hope they come out with more.

A real birdhouse
My son built the kit himself with little help after receiving it as a gift.He painted it as well, a great way to use up left over house paint.

That was three years ago and we have had birds nest in it each spring since!This year we plan to buy the kits so the kids can assemble and paint them as gifts for grandparents.

So easy, a kid can do it!
I bought this for my daughter, who wanted to try her hand at building a bird-feeder, yet the cast-iron-frying-pan-weilding-wife didn't want her baby near power tools (read: saws). Hey, with this kit you CAN NOT go wrong. My 11 year-old daughter tore into this with a passion.

The only time she ran into problems was when she didn't follow the directions. Other than 30 seconds of guidance from me, she *really* did do it all by herself. And don't think THAT fact was lost on her. It was so easy to do (and so low-risk, Mom!) that we would not hesitate to recommend this to any other parent, nor will we fail to buy her the other kits in this series, as long as they match the quality of this bird feeder.

All in all, this is one of the all-too-rare toys on the market - it works as advertised, is a blast for the kids, and gives value way beyond its very reasonable price. ... Read more

Asin: B00004ZBA0
Subjects:  1. Arts and Crafts    2. Craft Kits    3. Wood   

This is a simple woodworking project, plus a nice toolbox for the kid who hasgraduated beyond toys to real--or almost real--tools. Just six precut wooden pieces go togetherwith the included nails and screws. You provide a hammer and a Phillips head screwdriver. Thecompleted box is only about 11 inches long by 3.5 inches wide by 2 inches deep (on the inside),so it's designed for a small handful of tools being carried by small hands. It's easy tostain or paint, although no decorating supplies are included. --Richard Farr ... Read more

Asin: B000050FBU

The Home Depot Bird Feeder Kit
Average Customer Review:
Toy

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Precut wood, a plastic window, screws, nails, and easy-to-follow instructions let you breeze through construction and knock yourself out on décor with this bird feeder kit from Home Depot. All you need is a hammer and a Phillips head screwdriver to get started. The feeder fills from the top and spills food to the ledge as needed. The window allows you a view of the feeder's contents. Paint it, varnish it, sticker it, or do whatever you think says "Eat here!"to the birds of your locale. --Ava Natov ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Good bird feeder
I loved this toy. It worked so well!! I got some wild bird feed and I saw so many types of birds. The only downside of this toy is that the seeds fall and that squirrels get into the top. Other than that this is a lot of fun.

Great parent-child project!
We gave this to our (then 7 year old) nephew.He put it together with parental supervision.And it still is *his* feeder, hanging from their house and feeding the birds in the backyard.It was a great introduction to home improvement.In the case of our nephew, he has grown to be quite a helper for his father's frequent projects and will no doubt become quite handy himself.

PROS
* Simple for an adult, challenging (but not overly so) for a child
* All of the *sturdy* parts included
* Unfinished: can be painted or stained.Let the kids paint it however they want!The birds won't know.

CONS
I ONLY WISH HOME DEPOT PUT OUT MORE OF THESE TYPES OF KITS!There are just two others that I've seen--a small greenhouse/planter kit and a message board.

PURCHASING RECOMMENDATION
In my opinion, kids just don't get enough building experiences with creating something like this that truly is useful.We buy things ready-made, or we call a contractor to do it for us.THIS IS A GREAT PARENT-CHILD PROJECT.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.And let's don't forget the girls--they can do this, too.

We love our "squirrel feeder"
We bought this for our then, 4 yr. old.He and his daddy had a wonderful time building this together and painting it.Everything you need is included.We did attract some birds, but the squirrels wouldn't let them anywhere near the feeder.It was hilarious watching them hanging upside down and swinging on it.They figured out quickly how to open and empty it.Oh well, it was well worth it because the time and enjoyment building it. That is what really makes this item great. ... Read more

Asin: B00004Y75H
Subjects:  1. Arts and Crafts    2. Craft Kits    3. Wood   

Home Depot Tool Box and 12-piece Tool Set
Average Customer Review:
Toy
-- our price: $29.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

This attractive tool set is sized just small enough for kids, but issturdy and professional enough for adult use. There's a place inside the brightorange toolbox for 12 essential household tools, all with coated, matchingorange handles. Included with the set: a 12-foot measure, 90-degree squaremeasure, a clawed hammer, long-nose pliers, slip-joint pliers, diagonal cutters,a Phillips screwdriver, a flathead screwdriver, polycarbonate safety goggles, apainter's cap, and a work apron with large pockets. The cap and apron bear theHome Depot logo. Toolbox details include a grid top with a snap cover forholding small nails and screws, and a removable inside tray with slots foraccessories. --Diane Beall ... Read more

Reviews (10)

real tools for kids
This is a great awsome exellent usful tool toy its real and its for kids and it is a real usefull, its not even a toy you could really use it. no essemble requird and with its really good tape measure and hammer,pliers,screw drivers,and more, its really usefull around the house and it comes with a tool box I rate this 5 star.

great REAL tools for a child.
I bought this for my son on a recent trip to Toys R Us. This items was perfect because he had just spent the day before working on a project with his Grandad using my tools and they wee too large for him and he tired out very quickly. These are perfect because they are his size. Also these were great because everytime he saw Mommy or Grandad with their real tools and toolbox he wanted one of his own. I couldn't be happier with this purchase. Also to the reviewer who complained that they wee real tools and who would buy a child them it does state that in the item description and it's never too soon to teach safety.

A must for kids
I ordered this tool box for my 6 year old son. Everyday he uses it to create something wonderful. The tools are real and fit perfectly into little hands. This is the BEST toy he has ever had. ... Read more

Asin: B00005BXRG
Subjects:  1. Pretend Play    2. Tools   

Home Depot Message Center
Average Customer Review:
Toy
-- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

For kitchen, garage, hallway, or office, this small 12-by-12-inchmessage center kit will keep you and your loved ones organized. In the kityou'll find all the wood parts needed (precut, sanded, and drilled), the chalkand cork boards, screws, nails, and easy-to-read building instructions. All youneed to supply is a hammer and a Phillips screwdriver. There are decorating tipsincluded (for painting, staining, stickers, etc.), though the supplies for thoseideas, or chalk and tacks for the boards, are not included. --Diane Beall ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A great way to spend an afternoon!
This is one of several Home Depot pre-cut, pre-drilled child-focused project kits that can be assembled in less than an hour with a little adult supervision. This particular kit - a nice departure from the typical bird house - was assembled without the instructions, with my 9-year-old carpenter at the helm, in barely 45 minutes (and, in truth, probably not that long).

The kit, which measures roughly 8x11 when finished, comes with all necessary hardware pre-cut, two small panes - one slate, one cork; two wood screws, and a handful of finish nails. Assembly amounts to mounting the three vertical pieces into a dadoed bottom rail, sliding in the panels, and locking them into place with the dadoed, curved top. Finish nails on either side secure the top, and two slim backer strips snug the thin slate into place. Two wood screws from the bottom rail (pre-drilled) up into the sides, and three pegs across the front (again with holes pre-drilled) finish construction.

Parents can get the project off to good start by dry-fitting the parts together to show your youngster how the finished product will look, and also to determine which parts may not be cut or drilled as precisely as you might hope. For us, the middle rail tongue was not snug in the bottom rail, and the edge of the cork was slightly crumpled. But these were minor flaws. Although the box does not mention it, a small bottle of wood glue is advisable for all the wood-to-wood mating surfaces (especially the pegs on the front) in addition to the nails and screws.

When the project is completed, finish is a matter of personal choice. We sanded our project with 100-grit and then 320-grit paper before applying a coat of red acrylic craft paint.In retrospect, I'd recommend sanding the pieces before assembly, because it's hard to avoid scratching the slate with the sandpaper once it's already built. Note, too, that pine is notoriously thirsty wood, so two coats of paint might be desirable to achieve the desired finish.

Two keyhole-style hooks (which are not included, but would be a nice addition to the kit) could be attached to the back to allow the board to be hung on a wall. If the message center is truly used as intended, don't hang it with a single wire as you might a framed picture - the board will sway annoyingly any time you try to write on it.

The Message Center is a simple and fun project that any craft-oriented adult and child should have a marvelous time putting it together. It is highly recommended - not just because its a fun project, but because its a GREAT excuse to spend quality time with your kids :)!! And if you've never seen the pride your child takes in building something themselves, you're in for a great treat. My son was bounding down the hall to show Mom his great creation.

p.s. When finished, be sure to have you're youngster write your names in pencil somewhere on the back, with the date, so the memory of the project goes way beyond just the hammer and nails! Enjoy!

Home Depot Message Center
My son liked assembling the message center (he also painted it when it was complete).The instructions were easy to read and follow, but I did not enjoy it.The pieces did not fit well, and it was difficult to keep it together to nail or screw.

Don't waste your money
I bought this for my daughter for Christmas, when we received this the peices were not cut to fit the product, the product was so small, the picture I feel was bigger.My daughter was very disappointed. I wouldn't put the effort into ordering this product. ... Read more

Asin: B00005M8V0

Home Depot Wooden Squirrel Feeder Kit
Average Customer Review:
Toy
-- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Sure, squirrels don't often seem to have a huge problem finding enough to eat. Think about it: how many skinny squirrels do you ever see? But if they're going to be having a delicious meal, why shouldn't they have it at your place? This kit from Home Depot contains most everything a young builder needs to construct a simple wooden squirrel feeder: precut and predrilled wood, wood screws, nails, and a detailed instruction book. All you need supply is a hammer, a Phillips-head screwdriver, and some nuts. Maybe a little paint. And also a squirrel. --John Moe ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Rip Off
All I can say is that this product is an absolute rip off. The construction is shoddy at best, the directions ridiculous and after we wasted time and money staining it, what we have is a product that is so embarrassing I doubt that even the squirrels will touch it. My family was so disappointed with the 'finished' product, that we will now have to take a trip to Walmart and buy the feeder we saw there. After shipping costs, the feeder at Walmart will be a better buy plus a joy to look at compared to this thing. Trying to put it together with its uneven pieces is not only a exercise in frustration but futility as well. Don't waste your time and money buying this product.

Overpriced and rudimentary
It's hard not to like something pre-packaged like this that allowed my husband and 3-year-old son to complete a project together with little preparation.It took them about 15 minutes, and my son was pleased with the immediate results.

However, our first squirrel visitor could not figure out how to get to the food, so he gnawed through the lid.Now, I keep the lid up.So, what makes this design especially appropriate for squirrels is unclear to me.I find birds eating out of it as frequently as the squirrels do.

Another thing is that the feeder really needs to be painted or decorated, and if you're not inclined to do this, it is not that attractive because it is made out of plain and (seemingly) untreated lumber.

Overall, I think the feeder is overpriced given its rudimentary design and materials. At a $4-$5 price point, I might have been raving. ... Read more

Asin: B000067QPY

Home Depot Jr. Helper - Wood Shop Set - Easy Bolt Bird Feeder
Average Customer Review:
Toy
list price: $14.99 -- our price: $12.95
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (1)

Great for kids, just not easy to use as a bird feeder
We bought this item for my four year old daughter, which is a little young. She had a GREAT time painting it, though not AS much fun putting it together since she's a little young. I love the real tools that come with it that we/they can use on future projects. This item doesn't come with a way to hang it up, and if you do the birds don't like it (at least our birds) because the ledge is too small to eat from. We're working on another way to set it up outside so we can watch the birds eat. Putting the food in was kind of a pain too. But it was a good project and we're mostly happy with it. ... Read more

Asin: B00007E9BR
Sales Rank: 20941
Subjects:  1. Pretend Play    2. Tools