Kids today don’t seem to have the same enthusiasm to build a pillow fort or make costumes out of cardboard anymore. Instead, it is all too common to see them playing with a smart device, but, Makedo’s ToolKit aims to spark creativity in kids by facilitating hands-on building and engaging them with something other than consumer-minded tech. In this particular kit, there is one Scru-driver, one safe-saw, seven XL Scru's, and 21 Scru's. Each is designed to replicate a real-world building project for kids in a safe way.
Think of constructing a shelf in the basement or an entire shed in the backyard. Makers would need a whole bunch of wood, nails, and even power tools to complete a project like that. With MakeDo, however, kids can learn the same kinds of skills using plastic components that are completely safe and still really engaging.
The ToolKit itself is perfect for younger children as every item in it is made from plastic and contains no sharp edges. The Scru-driver is used like any regular screwdriver (turn to the right to tighten and turn to the left to loosen). The Safe-saw is also like its traditional counterpart with one exception: On the end of it is a tool that allows kids to pierce holes for the scru's or perforate holes for folds.
It also has two serrated sides—one with larger teeth to cut through thicker cardboard and another with smaller teeth for thinner cardboard. The last items in the kit are the Scru’s. The XL Scru's can connect up to six layers of cardboard while the regular Scru's can only connect up to three layers once a small hole is pierced as a starting point.
With the tool kit in hand, I attempted to make a small stage. I started by grabbing a cardboard box and breaking it down with the safe-saw. Even though I was working with cardboard, it takes a little more muscle than I thought it would to cut it. After that, I used the puncture end of the saw to perforate two lines so I could fold the cardboard. After a little more cutting and several scru's later, I had a replica stage built in no time.
This kit is great for all different types of projects from maze building to model animals and everything in between. If you can imagine it, you can build it with this tool kit. Some of the perks MakeDo offers include variability, scale, and simplicity of how it can be used. All students really need besides the kit is cardboard and markers to use when making and perfecting designs. It can even be used in groups or individually and helps students develop problem solving and critical thinking skills whether they're in a classroom, makerspace, or at home.
If you are interested in hands on problem solving with infinite possibilities, the MakeDo ToolKit or any other of MakeDo's packs and accessories—a bunch of simple yet expansive tools—are certainly worth adding to any makerspace or classroom that promotes imaginative play.
To purchase a MakeDo kit or any of their maker-minded accessories for your classroom, makerspace, or home, click below to visit the Eduporium store. Don't know what to build? check out Makedo's website for some inspiration and don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more, check out other cool EdTech tools in our store, and you might as well like us on Facebook, too!
