tips needed for recycled construction craft

[C&B&E]

ooh they're great!  They've got them on amazon, just put them on B's wishlist 

[Papaya]

I was going to suggest the makedo as well - I've seen a friend's child play with it and it looks awesome. I'm hoping to get some for F (and DH) soon

[creations]

It's so totally perfect!
I've added them to DS's wish list and will order tomorrow after a quick chat with DP about which set/s to get.
I'm SOooooo excited!

Anyone know what the pins/clips are like if they are painted?  I suspect DS will want to paint his creation after construction because he really has a taste for painting 3D objects rather than onto flat paper (which he does too but doesn't get so excited about).  I think paint might wash off for re-use.  I suppose it doesn't really matter that much if it doesn't, just adds to the recycled nature of the constructions.
The concept is similar to my idea of using brads, but this is so much better.  The photo gallery is amazing

[Edesanja]

[C&B&E]

Saw this on pinterest today and thought of this thread 

http://happyhooligans.ca/2013/02/08/toilet-roll-structures-kids-and-low-temp-glue-guns/

[choc]

which makedo set did you buy in the end?

[creations]

I haven't had a chance to show them to DP yet but have ear marked the kit for one, the robot and the wheel set.  it looks great.

Meanwhile we trialed a few other ideas.
The velcro was a disaster, the hook and eye sides stuck together far more strongly than the sticky side so all that happened was they fell apart, tearing some of the packaging at the same time.  I was hopeful at the time, and DS enjoyed sticking them on, but ultimately not satisfactory.
Double sided sticky pads were more successful but still not really satisfactory.  Most of the packing is pretty uneven, like the sides of an egg box for example (rather than the flat top), so don't give a great surface to stick to.  These did at least get the robot together although it wasn't really strong enough to play with afterwards.

Card slots is what I've done a lot of in the past.  DS does get excited to see something being produced but ultimately wants to be more involved and it's too tricky for him to work out where the slots need to be or cut them etc.  We've got a couple of fantastic space rockets made this way though that have lasted a LONG time and get played with a lot too.  He also enjoyed painting and decorating them.

[amayzie]

What about if you are just a bit liberal about your masking tape use? Get nice big pieces and sort of wrap them around?

What about not one piece of double sided tape- but 2 pieces- a piece on each side... they might stick to each other better? What about a lot of clag glue?

Sadly pinterest has let me down on this occasion... no decent ideas!

[creations]

I think the makedo set, sticky pads and a gaffa tape combo is going to work out the best for us.  Just need to get DP to have a look and get them ordered.

Katy I'm not surprised pin interest has let you down on this, it's quite a tricky thing to resolve for young toddlers when their development is a bit out of balance, in that they want to do stuff but can't necessarily use the right tools, might not have the fine motor skills needed, or might not understand that putting two items together is difficult with uneven surfaces etc.  DS sometimes watches Mr Maker, and is all inspired to make stuff but most of the stuff needs a much older child or an adult, and even then it's all a bit make shift and would fall apart (like joining the edge of a toilet roll tube to another box with pritt stick glue which in reality would just NOT stick there isn't enough surface area for that sort of glue).  My pre-mum life I was a design lecturer (further ed college) and a good percentage of my students would find it difficult to stick stuff together and they WERE allowed hot glue guns and all sorts of tools!

[amayzie]

yes- i agree! It is really hard sticing that stuff together! And also- when he's even just a year older he'll better understand that sometimes you need to just have some things that you put together and then just LOOK AT- as in not play with them as they'll fal right apart!