7 CREATIVE TINKERING PROJECTS FOR KIDS
Get your makerspace ready! These maker activities for kids will challenge children to tinker, build, tackle tough problems, and learn by doing!
March 2012 marks our 110th anniversary. Here, we look back on the different eras of DIY that PM helped to forgeand the hard-nosed, self-reliant attitude of our readers that defined the last century-plus of doing it yourself.
Get your makerspace ready! These maker activities for kids will challenge children to tinker, build, tackle tough problems, and learn by doing!
30+ engineering STEM challenges with simple materials. Kids can tinker with bridges, catapults, boats, and more using recycled and inexpensive materials.
What is Tinkering? Tinkering is the first step in the Experiential Learning continuum. Experiential Learning is the process of learning through experience but can be more specifically defined as "learning through reflection on doing". ... Beginning in t
Tinkering is about playing, exploring, experimenting and setting imaginations on fire! Build a tinker space and ignite a passion for learning.
What is Tinkering? Tinkering is the first step in the Experiential Learning continuum. Experiential Learning is the process of learning through experience but can be more specifically defined as "learning through reflection on doing". ... Beginning in t
Explore The Tinkering Studio's 50625 photos on Flickr!
Tinker tray for little learners. A STEM activity for building.
Get inspired to make your own tinkering space after taking a peek into the world of Meri Cherry, Atelierista at Kol Tikvah Early Childhood Education Center.
Do you want to make a tinker or inventor's box for your kids but aren't quite sure what to include? Then check out some suggestions by someone with an engineering degree!
Celebrate your inner engineer! Do you love to build? Science World’s Tinkering Space: The WorkSafeBC Gallery is the place to be! Take part in our daily tinkering programming where you can problem solve, make new things from existing parts, create something cool and imaginative, and learn through experimenting and making mistakes. You’ll also learn about […]
You've got to build a tinker box! This is a fantastic loose parts activity for toddlers and preschoolers - a great creative activity!
Explore The Tinkering Studio's 51534 photos on Flickr!
What is Tinkering? Tinkering is the first step in the Experiential Learning continuum. Experiential Learning is the process of learning through experience but can be more specifically defined as "learning through reflection on doing". ... Beginning in t
Get your makerspace ready! These maker activities for kids will challenge children to tinker, build, tackle tough problems, and learn by doing!
Tinker /ˈtiNGkər/ n. to make small changes to something in order to improve or repair it (MacMillan Dictionary) You may have noticed this quaint little word that’s at the heart of my blog title, and today I’d like to talk a bit about tinkering. I have a fun tinkering challenge up my sleeve (come back for that next week!), so consider this my introduction! What is Tinkering? The definition above suggests […]
My boys and I had fun pulling together Loose Parts Robot Tinkering Kits for a swap at The Seasonal Classroom earlier in 2016. Each person made 3-5 Loose Parts kits (with some regulations) and another kit of the host. We each shipped them to a central spot where they were divvied out (listening to our preferences) and received different sets back. To make our kit, we recycled some pieces from a friend (eyeballs!), went to our local ReStore shop for odds and ends, and then rounded out our kit with some wooden pieces and discarded CDs. We decided to paint the popsicle sticks, wooden block, and CDs a turquoise color to help pull the colors together a bit. At ReStore, one of our local recycle type stores, we looked for bags of hardware and other items that had many items for an inexpensive amount. We also looked for different textures and shapes. We also used the pay by the pound section that had all kinds of nuts, bolts, and other options. As we finished our kits, we put in some corks (from my great friend!), computer keys, wooden discs, bottle caps, a laminated robot printout, and a storage box. Honestly, we actually separated some colorful wires from my husband as another add in and added more "stuff" from my great friend. She saw what we were doing and donated more things. She's on a mission to keep things out of the landfill! While it was fun to pull it together, we also had fun playing with the kits! Here were some creations, adding a few other items such as a tree cookie, and a pie plate. I think the kits ended up to be a great mix of items and gave us opportunities for plenty of play! We also added in play dough, giving even more options! I liked the play dough gave us something to "stick" our items in as we made sculptures. It became temporary glue while we created. We also liked all the textures the various items created--this was fun to explore! Tips for creating your own Loose Parts Kit: Think outside of the "box". What items might go together well? Are there different combinations Consider your sources of items. Where can you find inexpensive items? Do you have a local recycle shop? Friends that are decluttering? What do you have on hand that you can recycle as well? Are there basics you might include? Decide on a theme. Choosing the robot tinkering theme really helped us think of items specific for this rather than just loose parts in general. Obviously we love loose parts and enjoyed a more specific challenge. Consider safety. We made this for ages 5-10. There are smaller parts (fine for this age), but didn't want too many sharp points. There are a few, but they have a unique structure around them. Add on specialty items. What might round out the kit? While some thought it necessary, the robot mat became a great spot to start--I saw lots of creativity there! The wires (not pictured) were a whimsical touch that cost us nothing but a little time. The addition of the play dough, tree cookie, and other items really were nice touches. These are things we use for other projects that we could borrow while we were creating our robot tinkering sculptures. Containerize it. Having a container to put it all in is great! We can grab and go. The items are protected. Everything stays together! Add a book! If gifting something like this, consider adding a book on robots and/or loose parts/tinkering to go with the kit. Here is a popular list of Loose Parts Inspired Books that I compiled. Listed below are some robot titles to pair with it as well. Play with the kit! I think part of the fun in sharing kits like this is the time we get to spend together making memories and trying new things. Most children want our time. Taking some time out to create and explore alongside a child is priceless! This post may contain affiliate links. Thanks for supporting our work if you shop at Amazon at no extra cost to you.
Do your children love tinkering with electronics? Check out snap circuits! A fun and safe way to introduce your electronics in your homeschool.
7 CREATIVE TINKERING PROJECTS FOR KIDS
A tinker box is an engaging STEM activity that keeps kids of all ages occupied for hours on end! Here's everything you need to know about making your own.
Circuit Blocks in the Classroom: This is part of a series of Instructables intended for teachers about educating students in the classroom around making and tinkering. For more about the details of this project, check out this video on YouTube. Learning about circuits and electrici…
I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. -Thomas Edison
3 Flower tinker trays kids love! Boost creative problem solving with a fun & easy tinker tray. Nature, hardware, and recycled material ideas.
What is Tinkering? Tinkering is the first step in the Experiential Learning continuum. Experiential Learning is the process of learning through experience but can be more specifically defined as "learning through reflection on doing". ... Beginning in t
Tinkering is about playing, exploring, experimenting and setting imaginations on fire! Build a tinker space and ignite a passion for learning.
Over the past year I’ve become a huge fan of tinker trays. I am a firm believer in open ended art for young children, older children too. Tinker trays are the perfect jumping off point for limitless possibilities and creativity. I know for a lot of moms, one look and you just think of a […]
What is Tinkering? Tinkering is the first step in the Experiential Learning continuum. Experiential Learning is the process of learning through experience but can be more specifically defined as "learning through reflection on doing". ... Beginning in t
What is Tinkering? Tinkering is the first step in the Experiential Learning continuum. Experiential Learning is the process of learning through experience but can be more specifically defined as "learning through reflection on doing". ... Beginning in t
In this post, I reflect on the readings and activities from Week 5 of the Exploratorium's Tinkering Fundamentals MOOC. The hangout includes a tour.
Create a portable tinkering kit full of loose parts perfect for inventing. Builds STEM skills in preschoolers and is a great gift for your little engineer!
Rep your love of tinkering! No matter what you may be a specialist in, be it an Alchemist, Armorer, Artillerist, or Battle Smith; never forget your tools! Inspired by the item packs of D&D! A4 artwork, printed on 250GSM silk paper.
Mystery Tinker Bags for Creative STEM Fun. Create opened imaginative play that encourages critical thinking and problem-solving. These bags are perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and older. Encourage creative thinking and science skills!
Why do we educators do it? It’s fun enough tinkering around with projects on our own, so why must we bang our heads trying to involve a pack of screaming kids from the neighborhood?
My boys LOVE a good catapult. Last year, we made this marshmallow catapult out of a tissue box, and it was a lot of fun! So when I saw this post on how to make a Tinker Toy catapult on Quirky Momma, I knew my boys would want to try it! In addition to Tinker […]
