Our town library has decided to start a K thru 6 introduction of woodworking and so far they have a few hand tools, hand saws, hand drills, etc. They have two saw horses and a few pieces of plywood to act as a bench top.
Not to criticize, but I am going to criticize. This sounds like a half arse idea thought up by someone who wants to be admired for helping somebody. I applaud and admire the idea of setting up a woodworking teaching program for kids. Great. But they should do it right. And your description sounds wrong. Two saw horses with a piece of plywood tossed on top is a bench? Ha Ha.
For tools, get a proper workbench with a couple vises. Lower height for the kids. And some sturdy flat tables with various clamps they can make into workbenches basically. For tools: some handplanes such as a #5 and #2 or 3. #5 is big enough for long work for a kid. #2-3 are small enough for kids for finish work. Block planes. Chisels of various widths. Saws such as the modern dual cutting super sharp ones sold at Home Depot, Menards. I have a couple from Stanley and they cut 2x4s and joists and plywood great. They are not precision dovetail or mortise cutting saws, but they cut quick and easy. Good for carpentry type work, not woodworking type work. Electric drills. Jigsaws for cutting. And a tablesaw operated by an adult and the kids can watch the cutting but not do the cutting with the tablesaw for safety reasons. Drill bits and holesaws of various sizes.
Do it right, or don't do it. Knowing basic carpentry and/or woodworking is good and useful. Most of the kids will own a house someday and a door or drawer won't work right. And they will know how to fix it. Or a shelf will need to be built. Or a doghouse will need to be built. Or a cat/dog doorway through the door or wall will need to be installed. Roof shingles will need to be replaced. Or the back kickplate on the basement stairs will need to be screwed to the stair treads because its coming off.
