| The MakeDo system is comprised of reusable plastic tools that students can use to engineer and perfect cardboard structures large or small. 1. It’s completely open-ended and includes all the various plastic screws, screwdrivers, and a saw. |
The MakeDo system is a very popular makerspace tool that provides kids with an easy-to-use opportunity to invent like pros in or out of the classroom. This collection of replica construction tools, including screws, screwdrivers, and a saw, enables students to creatively build cardboard structures. They’re totally reusable, which often helps inspire and educate children on the importance of reusing and upcycling in making. Most importantly, they're totally safe, designed specifically for tiny hands, and they even conform to international safety standards. Students and any kids as young as four years old can use the MakeDo components with assistance from an adult and those over six can invent independently.
Your ‘Safe-Saw’ has two edges for cutting both thick and thin cardboard and the hole puncher for inserting the ‘Scru.’ The Scru can connect up to three layers of cardboard together when paired with the ‘Scrudriver’ for easy turning. There’s also a ‘Scru XL,’ which can connect up to six layers of cardboard together. With all these components from the MakeDo kits, children can safely cut, fold, punch holes, and join the cardboard together. And, you can find more tools on Thingiverse, like an angle bracket or hinge for kids to 3D print.
The MakeDo team created lists of projects and design thinking ideas to inspire creation with their tools and cardboard. Starter projects often include towers, shelters, mazes, domes, costumes, bridges, mechanisms, various machines, and even animals. The design thinking ideas include something for children to build that they can carry, sit on, ride in, wear, or hide in. Once they are more proficient, kids can advance to inventing something that can move or fly or something that is mechanical. Super creative kids could even try making something that could serve a purpose in their home, school, or community.
One of our previous EdTech grant recipients and Featured Educators, Mary Ledford, had her children build literary food trucks with MakeDo tools in the library. Kids designed food trucks using cardboard, MakeDo components, and other craft materials to showcase books centered around diversity and inclusion. That is certainly one of the most ingenious projects we’ve seen, but, we'll encourage you to try to top it and share your MakeDo inventions with us on social media by tagging us.
Whether you’re already using the MakeDo kits or are looking for insight into whether it is the right tool for your students, we hope this blog gave you some helpful tips for moving forward. You can find the MakeDo product line, including the individual kits and accessories, on our store (or below). If you have questions or would like to make a purchase, please let us know. Make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter/X as well for more EdTech Tips & Tricks!
