The other responses are right on target. My son was 6 last year when I built my first stitch and glue. Whereas I would lose track of time and end up working in the boatyard (garage) until 1 am, a few 15 - 20 minute stints of pushing wires through holes and a little hand sanding was all he was up for. I didn't push it, except to make sure each task could be done in a couple of minutes, and that he had to finish any task he started. He loved showing off what ‘we’ had done.

Well, in his 1st grade reading class he had to write a book, complete with illustrations. The subject was a secret to parents until the books were read in front of the class and parents at the end of the year. When he stood up and read "Me and My Dad's Kayak," my eyes welled up in a decidedly unmanly fashion. Excerpt: "I have my own paddle, and we never tip over."

He doesn't fit in mine with me anymore, so this year we're building Glen-L's Kidyak, and it's even more fun.

And don't forget grandpa, if possible. We went to my dad's to cut the panels (he has the good saws), and my mom said afterward that she hadn't seen him so excited in quite a while.