Die Werkkiste in Altona is a fairly singular thing: the first and only specialist retail shop for children’s tools in Germany. It’s been developed by a team of carpenters and educators, stocks everything from child-sized Japanese saws and hand drills to workbenches, wood kits, and carving knives, and actually tests everything in its own workshops before putting it on the shelves. It smells of sawdust in there. That’s not a detail, that’s the whole atmosphere.

If you have a child who likes making things with their hands, or a child who has never tried and you think they might, this is the place to come. Not to buy something and leave, though you can absolutely do that. But to browse properly, get advice from people who know what they’re talking about, and potentially stay for the Wednesday open workshop.

The Offene Werkstatt

Every Wednesday from 16:00-17:30, Die Werkkiste runs an Offene Werkstatt, an open workshop for children and adults. No booking required. You show up, check at the door whether spots are free, and get to work at the communal workbench with hand tools and a pillar drill, plus guidance from experienced course leaders who will show you how the tools work and answer questions. You can build your own idea or get inspiration from the suggested projects.

Cost is €10 plus additional material costs for larger or individual projects. EC card or exact cash on-site. You can bring your own materials if you prefer. Under 16s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The workshop occasionally has to be cancelled for other events, so check the website before heading over on a Wednesday specifically for this.

The Shop and the Courses

The shop stocks the full range: tool sets in child sizes, workbenches, wood kits from their own production, carving knives and equipment, building instructions, books, and all the nails and screws and timber you could need for a home project. The selection is deliberately curated — only tools that actually work and can be safely used by children. Not toy tools. Real ones, scaled down.

Beyond the Offene Werkstatt, Die Werkkiste runs a full programme of courses: regular woodworking workshops for children from age 6, a Werkzeugführerschein (tool licence) course, school holiday Ferienkurse, Familienwerken sessions for parents and kids together, and birthday parties. All courses require booking in advance via the website. The shop also doubles as an advice point — the team will talk you through what your child actually needs rather than selling you things they won’t use.

There’s a garden and a seating area for breaks during the Offene Werkstatt. The shop carries EC card payment.

Why Parents Love It:

• Honest specialist advice from people who actually use the tools
• Offene Werkstatt every Wednesday, no booking, €10 entry
• Full course programme for kids from age 6 including school holiday sessions
• Birthday parties available

Why Kids Love It:

• Real tools in the right size, not toy versions
• Wood kits from the shop’s own production to saw and drill
• Open workshop where they can build their own ideas with support
• Carving knives, hand drills, pillar drill — the actual equipment