You have concern about this lad.
I asked you about garage space.
Get the OK, and build a wood table with him. You and him, not those silly 8 year-olds. Work out the plans on paper with him. No power tools. Spend a lot of time perfectly squaring up the wood. 6 month project. Use dowels. Have him work it out, with no metal, no nails, screws.
Then chat over what finish to apply. Forge accomplishment.
Years ago, schools used to have something called "shop".
Some skills were learned - but the main idea was that youngsters of the age you mention (who at that age always bounce off this or that wall), were afforded a haven that was "manly" - needed at that age, as one was growing.
Even the crappy stuff most kids in shop produced, well, they did it, it was something tangible. With their own hands.