Craft, Confidence, Community
Intuitive Woodworking provides structured woodworking instruction for youth in the Santa Barbara area, rooted in safety, skill development, and meaningful handcraft.
Crafting Wood, Inspiring Young Minds
Kids are natural makers. They just need the right tools and someone to show them the way. We give them real tools, real wood, and the quiet satisfaction of making something with their own hands.
Our Mission
We believe making something with your hands is one of the best things a kid can do. Not because it builds character (though it does) — but because it's genuinely satisfying. Real tools, natural materials, and a community of young makers learning the craft together.
What We Value (our three pillars)
Skill
Foundational hand tool use — measuring, carving, cutting, finishing. Built carefully, one step at a time..
Care
For tools. For materials. For the people working beside you. Workshop culture starts on day one.
Community
Small groups, real connection. Kids learn differently when they're working alongside each other rather than in front of a screen.
About the founder
With over 15 years of teaching experience — including four years internationally in Qatar and Taiwan — Ben Kenan brings both classroom depth and workshop expertise to his work. For six years, he has taught woodworking and movement within a Waldorf setting, guiding students in developing skill, responsibility, and focus.
Intuitive Woodworking reflects his commitment to traditional craftsmanship and meaningful, screen-free education grounded in real tools and real materials.
