Here's a list-in-process of plans for "meaningful work" with which I'd like to keep my boys engaged. The idea is that their hands should be kept from idleness by doing things which are useful, engaging, require discipline/coordination and which give them a true sense of accomplishment

Newspaper route (bagging and throwing) for which they can each earn around $6+/hour. If it takes me an hour or two per week to help keep my boys so meaningfully engaged--I figure it's time well spent (what with audio tapes locked and loaded!). Besides, lots of parents spend that kind of time attending sports meets for which they pay a hefty fee! And my boys can do this TOGETHER--they actually have to cooperate in the process, and figure out how to divide the money, and manage the route.

Origami

( In 1914, the Englishman Charles Gibbes became tutor to the nine year old tsarevich, youngest child of Nicholas II. The boy was withdrawn and had difficulty communicating, so Gibbes showed him how to make something from a piece of paper. The first fold the tsarevich learnt was a paper hat and this encouraged him to speak. (See Complete Origami by Eric Kenneway, page 168.)

crochet

chair caning (see "footstool kit" for children:

http://www.basketweaving.com/seatweaving.htm

Spoolkniting (even 4 yr-olds can do this?!)