(Click on our Photo to add us to your favourites)

DISCOVER DESIGNING AND MAKING with the KP Shape Gang!

Why is it fun to learning about designing and making?

Everything we use in our day-to-day lives – from forks to food and hats to houses – has been designed. By finding out more about how these objects are designed we can learn:

      Practical skills, like finding out how things work and making products that are useful and look good

ways of thinking and working, like coming up with ideas, solving problems and working as a team.

DESIGNING AND MAKING...

Here are a few ideas - have a look at the websites at the bottom of this page for even more!

A design scrapbook

Buy or make a scrapbook and  fill it with:

• drawings of your own designs

• pictures cut out from newspapers and magazines of the latest inventions, food, vehicles, fashions, buildings – whatever interests you

• examples of different materials, such as fabric, labels and wallpaper.

As part of your scrapbook, you could make a picture dictionary of some of the new words and phrases about designing and making.

Fantasy designs

Design a wacky invention. Why not design something to help you do the washing-up, tidy your bedroom or get them washed, dressed and ready for school. Draw your design carefully and label all the parts neatly.

The making box

Find an old cardboard box and fill it with materials that you could use for making things. Go around the house together collecting bits and pieces that might come in handy –small boxes, little bits of wood, rubber bands, old cotton reels, pieces of fabric, paper-clips, string, paper plates, plastic cups, straws, toilet rolls...

You could also keep a few basic tools in the box, such as scissors, sticky tape and glue. But remember to be careful of anything sharp and ask a grown up before you take things!

Find out More?

• CBBC - Art
• Art Attack
• CBeebies - Art Box (including Doodle Do)
• Build a Bridge Game
• I am an artist
• How Every Day Things are made
• QCA - Designing
• Kids Psych
• Destination Modern Art

Warning

Whether you are designing, making or just investigating objects, always be aware of possible dangers to yourselves and others. Never take apart products that are powered by mains electricity. If you take apart battery-powered products like torches or toys, watch out for leaking batteries as they can be dangerous to handle. If you’re designing and making with food, make sure you keep high standards of hygiene – always wash your hands and wear a clean apron. ASK A GROWN UP TO HELP YOU.