tips needed for recycled construction craft

[creations]

I'm looking for some ideas on how to stick recycled boxes, cartons and packaging together for a 2 yo.
Sticky tape doesn't really hold stuff in place (unless we use tons and then the thing we make is more of a sticky tape structure than a 'robot' or 'train' or whatever he wants to make - plus tends to fall apart if he starts to play with the item), pva glue requires more patience than DS has to hold it whilst it dries, staples don't reach through boxes and cartons, super glue is too dangerous... I'm really lost for ideas.

I can see DS has some lovely ideas for 3D construction, I have a big collection of recycled stuff, great shapes etc, and obviously I will help him build his vision, but i really hope for something where he can be involved (not just watching) and it can be instant enough for him to see results and not lose interest.

Any ideas?

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

Honestly, the best thing for cardboard is a hot glue gun...but so not appropriate, unless he will let you glue and watch. It dries and cools superfast, my dad used to make us awesome cardboard doll houses with just a glue gun.

[creations]

Oh, that's one of the things I've thought of and avoiding because he really wants to do the making himself, not just play with something I've made yk?  For sure I will let him use one when he is older (and perhaps not as old as some might wait), but not at 2.

[speechie]

what about duct tape?

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

Ooh, they make all sorts of neat coloured ones now too, not just boring grey.

[creations]

I'll get some!
Wow, never knew there were so many colours and patterns, amazing!

[C&B&E]

I wonder, could you use some more sturdy containers (I'm thinking plastic milk bottles/margerine tubs etc) and put velcro onto different parts of them, then he could stick them together and take them apart again?  Would potentially mean he could do it all himself.

[Hedgehog17]

If it's cardboard, then the safest thing is to cut slots that you can slide other pieces of card into.

May require some trial and error and design planning 

[creations]

Claire I was just thinking of velcro!  My mum recently gave me a pack of the sticky stuff (rather than the sew on stuff) for something else, but it got me thinking.  yes I'll try that! I can see him enjoying that.

[amayzie]

I'll have a look on playschool- they are always making stuff from the useful box... i'll see how they join it... Although the duct tape sounds good...

[Lolly]

What about double sided sticky tape? You can get different widths and it would hold lighter/ smaller bits on.

Laura

[amayzie]

It can be quite sticky too....

[creations]

Yes, good idea on the double sided tape.
he's been desperate to put 'stuff' together and now that I have some ideas he doesn't seem interested.  Think it might be a few days before I find out if these things work with him.

I also thought maybe pipe cleaners.  I'd have to make some holes safely for him first which is not *really* what we are looking for, BUT some things are joining edges to flats (if that makes sense) and I thought if there are holes in place maybe he can thread a pipe cleaner through, almost like sewing but on a v big scale, and we can twist it to finish off.  If he can't thread it in I can help hand over hand but at least he'd feel involved.

I bought some brads (like split pins) on-line thinking they were big enough for him to pick up and shove in a hole then I could split them at the back to kind of rivet pieces together (good for adding wheels too as they would actually turn!).  Don't know how i got the sizes so wrong, they are really small and although he has good fine motor skills I think they are just too small (or maybe they sent the wrong size).

This is great.  Still open to more ideas to try if anyone thinks of any

[Edesanja]

I bought this kit which uses plastic pieces like nuts and bolts that was a hit with my cardboard-creation-making-nephew. They are reuseable.
The website demonstrates how it works and tells you where you can buy it https://mymakedo.com/

[creations]

WOW!  Brilliant!
I've only had a very quick (30 second) look at the site and it looks amazing and perfect!
Thank you so much 

Off to have a better look now