Are you wondering if playrooms and makerspaces are the same? A good playroom requires lots of thought. And, you can convert any playroom into a makerspace. With the right mix of equipment, books and tools, you can design a great makerspace.
Here are few ideas on how to build a makerspace studio in your home.
Your First Set of Supplies
You don’t need to buy new supplies for a makerspace. Instead, look around your room for existing ones. This would be the first step in building a mini makerspace. Some of the finest and most important supplies will be hiding in your house. This includes toilet paper, tissue boxes, envelopes and paper towels. These are basic things that can bring out your child’s creativity. All these items convert into great building materials. Of course, you must grab some glue, different varieties of tape and scissors to help your little one! If you don’t have drawing supplies, grab some too. This includes color pencils, crayons and paint brushes.
Finding the right spot!
The moment you find these supplies; the next step would be to find space. You must identify the right spot in your home for the mini makerspace. It could be anywhere like an empty bedroom, a corner in your dining area or even the balcony. Find a spot your child is comfortable with. Remember, comfort plays an important role in designing makerspaces. Only when your child is comfortable, will he/she become creative. They will be able to explore, and come up with ideas like never before. The space assigned for the makerspace studio should be owned by your child. You must train your child to clean, maintain and stock it up!
You need a STEM shelf
Finally, you must ensure that the mini makerspace studio has a STEM shelf. A lot of parents believe that STEM requires complicated equipment and tools. However, this is not how STEM works. Simple straws, popsicle sticks, bottle caps, buttons, corks, post-it notes, stickers, googly eyes and applesauce lids are sufficient to build a great STEM makerspace.
You must fill the makerspace with online resources and books that can inspire your child into STEM. There are plenty of online resources on engineering, math, science and technology for kids. These resources are carefully designed with a curriculum that converts difficult science topics into small, fun filled activities.