Robot Friends
Equipment you will need:
Boxes, tubes, pots, pens, pipe cleaners, sticks, paint, glue
How about making your own robot friend to keep you company? Who knows they might even be able to some tricks. Making a robot can be a great way to use up some boxes and other things that would otherwise be thrown out. Get the children to design their robot before making it. Then come up with a name and a personality for them. The robot can have different buttons and features to make them realistic. Junk modelling is great for encouraging a child’s creativity. It gets them thinking and using their imagination. In no time a cardboard box could become a rocket ship or a princess castle. While doing crafts it is important to let children use scissors as this helps improve their fine motor skills.
Wind Charm
Equipment you will need:
Paper cup, string or ribbon, beads or shells
With a windchime children can find a place to hang it in the garden and watch it on windy days, this can encourage talk about weather and wind directions for older children.
All you need to do to make this wind chime is decorate the paper cup however the child chooses. Thread some beads onto the string and help the children attach the cup and string together. Find a place to hang it in the garden. This activity is great for younger children. Threading is a great skill to encourage hand eye coordination. Children will feel proud to see their creation in the garden and will be eager to watch how the wind moves it each day.
Tube Binoculars
Equipment you will need:
Kitchen roll tubes, string, glue, pens, stickers
This is a great way to use kitchen roll tubes. Make some binoculars and see what animals you can find in your garden or outside. First of all decorate the tubes. This could be with pens, paint, stickers or any thing else you have to hand. Once you have designed the binoculars attach them together. This can be done with glue or staples. Next add the string to hang them around your neck. Use the binoculars to hunt for things or go on a nature walk to the park to see if the children can find any insects or interesting objects.