Keep it very simple! How to get both wheels off, on, and fix a flat. My experience is that even with adults, more than 6 students is crazy. At least half will be standing around because they because they don't understand what we too often take for granted:

So much more than just a quick demonstration 1/2 won't be able to see, understand the vocabulary, or understand right to tight, left to lose. 

Just an opinion.Good luck, 

On Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 5:52 PM Weogo Reed via TheThinkTank <thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote:
Hi Martin,

Almost anything you can do so the kids can physically engage will grab
their attention.

For instance, take two kids bikes, one with a front wheel that is
optimally lubricated and adjusted, and a second one with the bearings
adjusted too tight.  Turn the bikes over and have each child grab the
front wheels and spin them.
You might even want to have a third bike, with the front wheel bearings
cleaned and greased, but adjusted way too loose  -  can they feel the
wobble?
This is an experiment they can try with their bike at home.

Thanks and good health,  Weogo

> There is a very motivated mom from a parents' committee in a nearby elementary school that has reached out to our CBS to participate to a program they are conceptualizing and have received fund for (3K$).
> They wanna make a small bike workshop for kids' bikes. The first objective is to inspire confidence and autonomy through manual skills/labor in bike mecanic and maintenance.
> I wanna know what kind of things you are teaching to kids. We're talking elementary age (here in Québec it's 6-12 years old). Of course parents in the committee will be present throughout.
> For the cursus, I am thinking about the cleaning and maintenance of the transmission, the tube repair and maybe the installation of a few parts, which more be a way to make a better understanding of the bike in genereal.
> I am thinking there should be an initial crash course with the parents in our workshop, then we could go to their school with our mobile workshop.
> Let me know what you guys think!
> Cheers
> BTW pardon my english!
> _______________________________________________
> TheThinkTank mailing list -- thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to thethinktank-leave@lists.bikecollectives.org
> To view this discussion on the web visit https://lists.bikecollectives.org/hyperkitty/list/thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org/message/H3T3C2RVPO7BWQW2P3KHNZETIRLQBWE6/
> _______________________________________________
> TheThinkTank mailing list -- thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to thethinktank-leave@lists.bikecollectives.org
> To view this discussion on the web visit https://lists.bikecollectives.org/hyperkitty/list/thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org/message/KJBFSJXDFYKRIMBJS66YX5OJOKC3Q6EM/


_______________________________________________
TheThinkTank mailing list -- thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org
To unsubscribe send an email to thethinktank-leave@lists.bikecollectives.org
To view this discussion on the web visit https://lists.bikecollectives.org/hyperkitty/list/thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org/message/BECJZC2HH2GXKSBONDA4AZIDVQ3S6CLO/


--
Ron Kellis | Véloteer & Former Basic Maintenance Instructor  | VéloCity Bicycle Co-op | 2111 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA  22301 | velocitycoop.org | +1 (703) 549-1108