They say children are a true blessing, and if you’ve been a parental figure long enough, you know those blessings can come with their fair share of stress. Ever tried arguing with a 15-year-old? Maybe had a 3-year-old try to “help” at the worst possible time? These little “retirement resets” can really spike your stress levels. But we love them, and we want them to get some hands-on experience in life, so what better place to learn how to work on cars than in the shop with you?

Beyond just having a dad that’s a car-guy, there are ways to spark a genuine interest in being part of the garage life. Here are a few ideas.

Build Interest

I grew up being dragged to local car shows, swap meets, hot rod shops, and the infamously bumpy dragstrip in San Antonio, Texas, known as Alamo Dragway. Looking back, it was a great way to get me involved. But if we’re being honest, it was probably just my dad trying to keep the peace at home by getting my brother and me out of my mom’s hair for the day. These kinds of events worked great for me growing up, and they’ve done wonders with my own kids. I’ve realized there are also simpler and far less expensive ways to keep the backseat peanut gallery engaged. Sometimes just driving around and pointing out cool cars does the trick. Besides, who doesn’t love yelling “slug bug” followed by a sibling-approved jab to the arm?

While it’s not the most cost-effective method, taking the kids with you into your local AutoZone to grab parts or tools can be a mini adventure, giving them a chance to discover something new. (Just a word of advice: the Hot Wheels® are conveniently stacked right at eye level for little ones. You’ll either buy one or immediately regret not doing so.) You may also find YouTube channels and social influencers you both enjoy. My 3-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son love watching Hot Wheels® races, RC trucks, and Monster Truck Jam. There are even some surprisingly kid-friendly restoration shows out there.

Create Garage-Made Memories

Once your kids are hooked on cars, the next step is getting them actively involved in the garage. I thought I’d finally gained a solid helper to start wrenching on my own cars, until my dad gifted my son a 1966 Mustang … or at least the carcass of one. While my dad had aged out of crawling under a car, the Mustang was exactly the kind of project that defines the American hot rod and automotive spirit. Just like that, my cars went on the backburner.

Needless to say, a project of this size was overwhelming for a kid juggling eight hours of school and full immersion in Marine ROTC. I had to find a way to get him in the garage – and fast. His birthday was coming up, and I wanted him driving the car by the time he turned 16.

 

What I learned is that a whiteboard can go a long way. Breaking his big dreams into bite-sized, achievable steps helped him stay motivated. I made sure these tasks didn’t involve just holding a flashlight or vacuuming the interior, but instead, included hands-on skills he could carry with him, even when I’m not around. In just a few weeks, we went from sanding and painting the old inline-six 200 cubic-inch engine to pulling Cobra brakes off an SN95 donor car.

The biggest realization I had was that this generation is used to instant gratification. He wants a game? He downloads it and plays within minutes. But cars, especially project cars, don’t work like that. Aside from the day you buy one, there’s little instant reward. It’s a long process, and for a young boy or girl, the scale of it all can feel intimidating or unattainable.

But you don’t need a project car for your kids to start wrenching. For mine, the first steps were simple one-hour projects: oil changes, tire rotations, and figuring out which way that darn tab goes for a wiper blade replacement. These are foundational skills that keep a car running and give them a solid jumping-off point. Even my youngest joined us in the garage – with dolls, monster trucks, and much to my distress, my 10mm socket.

One brag about this generation is that they’re incredibly tech savvy. My oldest learned to navigate my ALLDATA Repair account in no time, even without knowing most of the technical terms. Watching him look up repairs reminded me of when I used to change the TV station and my parents yelled, “Slow down!” 

Take in the Moments

I hope, as a father, you can relate to most of what I’ve shared. If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: Use these teaching moments to create meaningful memories and experiences. So go buy that project car and claim it is for the kid. Then kick back and enjoy your Father’s Day. After all, it’s the one day of the year we can get away with such shenanigans.