Tinker Tool Box: Spoiler Alert!
It's Tinker Time!!
Hubby has been helping me construct a Tinker Box as a gift that keeps on giving.
The best part about this 'box-o-tools' is the endless options for creative endeavors!
You can present each object individually for a focused tinkering session.
Otherwise, you could set out a few bits and pieces as a theme for a Creative Space, based on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math).
Have toys you've been wanting to toss?
Offer them up for deconstruction!
I read about this recently and it's brilliant!
Stuffed, battery-operated, mechanical or otherwise, if you're cleaning house or something's on it's last leg, take it apart and learn about how it was constructed.
The same for old household objects.
Our Kit
Our kit contains several small activity-starters.
Each can be expanded.
Wood was left in it's natural state, to allow for design as desired.
Wood Tree
This set of 5 squares is a lesson in size as well as fine motor skill practice.
Presenting the blocks on their own, could result in architectural exploration.
Geo-Board
Our Geo-board has been developed using a small disk of tree trunk and several finishing nails.
Traditionally, the Geo-board would be a grid for creating shapes and designs with elastics.
We opted to create a heart-shape board, similar to the popular Nail Art http://designcuriosities.com/portfolio/nail-and-string-feather/.
Colourful hair elastics are a smoother fit than elastic bands and easier on little hands.
DIY Blocks
We bought a 2x2 rod of wood for a few dollars and I cut them into squares in the miter box.
These can be designed into dice for various math/number games, or patterned on each side as Art Dice http://tinkerlab.com/art-games/ for Drawing Prompts.
You can use chalkboard paint, to change up the design each time they're used http://www.hellobee.com/2012/08/30/diy-chalkboard-city-blocks/
In addition, you can dip dye Rainbow Blocks http://www.aneverydaystory.com/2014/11/24/how-to-make-rainbow-blocks/
These plain old washers received a pleasant pick-me-up with a little embroidery thread http://www.designmom.com/2013/05/big-small-diy-wrapped-washer-necklaces/
Elementary, My Dear Daddy
As a personal touch, we included a small hammer from Grandpa Roy's garage and Daddy's elementary school ruler (which wasn't even the yellow and black plastic kind!)
*Flower Press (two boards with bolts in each corner)
*Plexiglas & Roller (for monoprint art)
*Mini Hammer (pounding flowers into dye, pounding golf tee's into styrofoam)
*Painters Tape (floor games such as: Bulls Eye Beanbags, Hopscotch, Mazes, Roadways)
This kit can be heavily armed with additional tools found around the home.
Such as:
*magnifying glass (examining small parts or nature finds)
*magnets
*calculator
*eye droppers
*basters
*tweezers
*sponges
*sandpaper
(raiding Grandpa's garage would work!)
