Have you heard of Maker Boxes? Or how to use them? …Maybe? …No? In this blog post I will tell you what a Maker Box is, what to put in one and how to keep your children or students entertained for hours, imagining, designing, creating and making.
What is a Maker Box?
A maker box is a box or tub full of supplies that can be used to design, create and make anything. The best thing about a maker box is that you never know what will be made. After each session you pack away all the supplies and get ready for the next time the box is bought out and imagination comes to life.
What is in a Maker Box?
You can add ANYTHING to your box . There are a few essentials that will make it perfect.
ESSENTIALS
- Tape
- Glue
- Markers
- Paper
- Craft Sticks
- Cardboard
- Scissors
EXTRAS
- Straws
- Material
- String/Wool
- Stickers
- Clay
- Buttons
- anything else you can think of
How to use Maker Boxes
There are several ways to use a Maker Box.
FREE PLAY – you can just put your box on the table and let your children explore and create. No restrictions. No rules.
USING MAKER CARDS – putting a maker card in the box gives your children some direction and a challenge. They choose one of choices on the card and begin to make. You can restrict the materials that can be used or allow them to have access to everything in the Box. I like to change the Maker Box Cards every week to keep things interesting. We have a FREE version of 9 Maker Box cards here or a larger 96 choice version here.
CLASSROOM USE– If you’re planning on using the Maker Box idea in your classroom it is easy to set up a few boxes and included either the FREE Maker Box Cards or the STEM 96 choice boards. Students love the opportunity to create, either as a special station or as an early finishers activity.
Happy Making
For ideas on how to set up and start your own STEM Space check out our blog post here.