Teaching kids to pick locks

[JoeLansing]

My kids hit 11 & 12 years old, and for Xmas I bought them each a garbage clear padlock and pick set. I showed them some basics, and they got it down. Then I gave them a big master lock clone, and now it is easy, then I went to my junk pile and gave them a Quickset door lock. It's easy now. This is after 2 days. They can rake, but I'm encouraging them to single pin pick them, and they are good at it now. Now I'm making them tell me how many pins are in each lock, just to try and get them to learn a bit of feel technique. I gave access to my Klom? Goso? or whatever green 32 pick set also. They just need to put everything back when done.

I'm not great at picking. But it is fun, and actually useful once in a while. So I thought I would teach them. What should I give them next? More junk locks? Are there any really good youtube videos? Maybe teach them how to polish their garbage picks, or make their own tension tools from wiper blades? I constantly tell them Don't pick locks you don't own without written permission. Don't pick locks that you care about. They have been doing Taekwondo and Jiu Jitsu for 4 years now, just starting Krav Maga. I figure lockpicking will be a new great WTF? beast mode skill for them. At least they really like it, and it's better than MineCrack..
- Joe

[JoeLansing]

Maybe I'll give them a challenge. 3 trash locks in less than a minute, and I'll get you a Lockpicking 101 membership or T-Shirt or something? Do we allow kids here?
- Joe

[GWiens2001]

Give them MrWizard's practice lock. Easy to repin for different numbers and sizes of pins, several kinds of security pins, and help/support that can't be beat. Really great guy, and a member here!

Gordon

[Hippo_vibrations]

My kids hit 11 & 12 years old, and for Xmas I bought them each a garbage clear padlock and pick set. I showed them some basics, and they got it down. Then I gave them a big master lock clone, and now it is easy, then I went to my junk pile and gave them a Quickset door lock. It's easy now. This is after 2 days. They can rake, but I'm encouraging them to single pin pick them, and they are good at it now. Now I'm making them tell me how many pins are in each lock, just to try and get them to learn a bit of feel technique. I gave access to my Klom? Goso? or whatever green 32 pick set also. They just need to put everything back when done.

I'm not great at picking. But it is fun, and actually useful once in a while. So I thought I would teach them. What should I give them next? More junk locks? Are there any really good youtube videos? Maybe teach them how to polish their garbage picks, or make their own tension tools from wiper blades? I constantly tell them Don't pick locks you don't own without written permission. Don't pick locks that you care about. They have been doing Taekwondo and Jiu Jitsu for 4 years now, just starting Krav Maga. I figure lockpicking will be a new great WTF? beast mode skill for them. At least they really like it, and it's better than MineCrack..
- Joe

It sounds like in a few years you can build your kids the most amazing escape room experience ever (It would be kinda cool to have less mainstream escape rooms where step 1 is to build some lock picks from random objects you find lying around.)

[GWiens2001]

It sounds like in a few years you can build your kids the most amazing escape room experience ever (It would be kinda cool to have less mainstream escape rooms where step 1 is to build some lock picks from random objects you find lying around.)

That sounds like fun. I just hope they don't do a "Jail Break" escape room using real jail/prison locks. Not that it would not be fun, but it would be a bad idea from a legal standpoint.

Now at a LockCon, it might be an interesting challenge.

Gordon

[billdeserthills]

I recall when I was 16 I started my very own lil' crime spree with the lockpicking tools my Dad gave me--I can't describe how disgusted he was with me--
Sure hope your kids are better adjusted than I was

I'm sure most folks on here are aware that 95%+ of the locks in America are easily pickable
Hope you have that lawyer $$$ salted away

[stratmando]

I recall when I was 16 I started my very own lil' crime spree with the lockpicking tools my Dad gave me--I can't describe how disgusted he was with me--
Sure hope your kids are better adjusted than I was

I'm sure most folks on here are aware that 95%+ of the locks in America are easily pickable
Hope you have that lawyer $$$ salted away

Got in a little trouble myself as a Kid, wondering about teaching my Granddaughter when she was very young. She didn't want to even think about it. She is 12/13 now and had an interest in it. Possibly knowing what it could get her into(friends Diaries, whatever), Now I wonder if would be a bad thing to teach her. However, if she got in trouble while young, would be a lot less worse if she got in trouble as a kid as opposed to being an Adult? I think it is a fine line weather to teach a Kid or not? We turned out OK, well maybe one of us, not sure which.

[Squelchtone]

I'm gonna sound like an old miser here, but I have never been a fan of teaching anyone under 18 how to pick locks.

I know folks like Deviant of TOOOL and some others have occasional Makerspace events where makers bring their 3 to 8 year old children and I think those kids are innocent enough to just enjoy picking a lock because it's like a puzzle, but anything 12 to 18, and the gears start turning on how they can actually use these skills practically.

There's also the cool factor and tweens and teens are gonna tell every one they know and I don't claim to know your kids so they might be really good kids, but most kids arae gonna show off to their friends and one things gonna lead to another and a call to the police station like Bill said.. Also don't be surprised if something goes missing in the neighborhood or at school, and everyone knows the kids can pick locks, they'll always look at you with suspicion and the kids will be the first to be blamed when someone's iphone gets stolen out of a locker.

As long as this is a family hobby they do at home and you teach them the ethics we preach here, and don't let the picks leave the house as an every day carry, things just might work out alright.

Squelchtone

[stratmando]

I'm gonna sound like an old miser here, but I have never been a fan of teaching anyone under 18 how to pick locks.

I know folks like Deviant of TOOOL and some others have occasional Makerspace events where makers bring their 3 to 8 year old children and I think those kids are innocent enough to just enjoy picking a lock because it's like a puzzle, but anything 12 to 18, and the gears start turning on how they can actually use these skills practically.

There's also the cool factor and tweens and teens are gonna tell every one they know and I don't claim to know your kids so they might be really good kids, but most kids arae gonna show off to their friends and one things gonna lead to another and a call to the police station like Bill said.. Also don't be surprised if something goes missing in the neighborhood or at school, and everyone knows the kids can pick locks, they'll always look at you with suspicion and the kids will be the first to be blamed when someone's iphone gets stolen out of a locker.

As long as this is a family hobby they do at home and you teach them the ethics we preach here, and don't let the picks leave the house as an every day carry, things just might work out alright.

Squelchtone

I like learning/teaching, taught Granddaughter to ride a bicycle as she just turned 3 years old. By first grade I felt she had the dexterity enough for a simple Cam lock, Mostly to see if I could teach a First Grader, Shes gotten in a little trouble recently, no longer going to teach her. I had to regularily pick locks to the Various Security Systems for servicing. I showed a fellow Technician, he ended picking locks to the Office Desks and not sure what else. Got caught and in trouble, not sure exactly what he did. Did see, even if they are over 18, they may not be able to handle the responsibility. Now I pretty much only Exchange info with people in the field.

[Steev43230]

Search YouTube for LockPickingLawyer and BosnianBill. There are others but these two guys are honest and legit.

[manueltrabajo]

How about getting into warded / lever locks? The likelihood that they would encounter any of those in everyday life in the United States seems pretty slim.

[PeterPickedaPepper]

My kids hit 11 & 12 years old, and for Xmas I bought them each a garbage clear padlock and pick set. I showed them some basics, and they got it down. Then I gave them a big master lock clone, and now it is easy, then I went to my junk pile and gave them a Quickset door lock. It's easy now. This is after 2 days. They can rake, but I'm encouraging them to single pin pick them, and they are good at it now. Now I'm making them tell me how many pins are in each lock, just to try and get them to learn a bit of feel technique. I gave access to my Klom? Goso? or whatever green 32 pick set also. They just need to put everything back when done.

I'm not great at picking. But it is fun, and actually useful once in a while. So I thought I would teach them. What should I give them next? More junk locks? Are there any really good youtube videos? Maybe teach them how to polish their garbage picks, or make their own tension tools from wiper blades? I constantly tell them Don't pick locks you don't own without written permission. Don't pick locks that you care about. They have been doing Taekwondo and Jiu Jitsu for 4 years now, just starting Krav Maga. I figure lockpicking will be a new great WTF? beast mode skill for them. At least they really like it, and it's better than MineCrack..
- Joe

I loved reading this. Ive recently got into lock picking and I've shown my kids a few little things. They're a bit younger than your kids but they're also doing Taekwando and BJJ. I find lockpicking is another bonding thing we can do. We've made some tools in the garage together and also tried to crack a few padlocks. The kids get into it. But I mostly enjoy seeing them working with their hands and learning about the mechanical side of things. Why won't it open? What tool will fit? Why did something jam?
They have a clear lock to practice with but enjoy that little surge of excitement they get when a "real" lock bursts open. They're great honest kids (they better be). I can't see them becoming little delinquents at this stage. They're more enjoying the challenge of the puzzle and the competition between each other. Im enjoying not seeing them glued to a screen!!!

-PeterPickedaPepper

[jwrm22]

It's quite a lot of fun reading on the subject.
I find teaching learns me to better understand the subject and found that teaching kids the basics on lockpicking is quite a challenge.

[Agent VX]

I recommend against it. Frankly I think this is a much worse idea than teaching teenagers how to shoot guns (which I'm in favour of). The thing is, guns can be locked up securely. (Although doing so adequately might get rather expensive if you do teach them to pick!) Lockpicks are impossible to control access to, because as we all know here, you can just make your own out of something innocuous like wiper inserts or feeler gauges.

Additionally, while the majority of kids wouldn't likely misuse firearms anyway (IMO), there is a lot more grey area and temptation with lockpicking. Probably most kids wouldn't try something obviously stupid and wrong like breaking into someone's house or business, locked rooms in a school might be another matter. I personally got in serious shit (and rightfully had my picks taken away) at around 17 for picking the (hilariously trivial wafer) lock to a friend's parents' liquor cabinet. Then they came home early. Whoops.

I definitely get the temptation to teach others the skill, but I would really stick to other adults with a trustworthy temperament. Even good kids might get themselves into serious trouble.

(BTW I am now a licensed working locksmith.)

[Squelchtone]

I recommend against it. Frankly I think this is a much worse idea than teaching teenagers how to shoot guns (which I'm in favour of). The thing is, guns can be locked up securely. (Although doing so adequately might get rather expensive if you do teach them to pick!) Lockpicks are impossible to control access to, because as we all know here, you can just make your own out of something innocuous like wiper inserts or feeler gauges.

Additionally, while the majority of kids wouldn't likely misuse firearms anyway (IMO), there is a lot more grey area and temptation with lockpicking. Probably most kids wouldn't try something obviously stupid and wrong like breaking into someone's house or business, locked rooms in a school might be another matter. I personally got in serious shit (and rightfully had my picks taken away) at around 17 for picking the (hilariously trivial wafer) lock to a friend's parents' liquor cabinet. Then they came home early. Whoops.

I definitely get the temptation to teach others the skill, but I would really stick to other adults with a trustworthy temperament. Even good kids might get themselves into serious trouble.

(BTW I am now a licensed working locksmith.)