Recently on Playfest we had a session on Junk Modelling. It’s not something we do all the time but the children always really enjoy it and it gave me a push to let them do it a bit more often.
We were joined by the lovely Maggy Woodly from Red Ted Art, who came to share some of her ideas with us and give us some inspiration. A week or so before that I won her new book on twitter, which I was very happy about and as you can see so was my little boy!
I have to say, none of our projects turn out looking as good as they do in the book! I’m just telling myself it’s more about the “process” and the kids enjoyment, rather than the finished results. We will keep trying!
Here’s some pics of my boys in action, creating some “masterpieces” out of our junk packaging!
Here we have a space themed rattle/shaker made by my 4 year old out of a giant lolipop packet, filled with some pulses, decorated with paint and sparkles, and fixed together with decorative star tape – tada!!
This is our rocket. It’s made out of an old chocolate milk container, covered in tissue paper and foil and painted. This is still up on the shelf in their playroom, 4yr old is very proud of it!
I think this one was a boat 🙂
More junk modelling play, with the younger 2 they were just really exploring the materials rather than having a project in mind.
Here’s some ideas of materials you can put aside to use
- Any form of cardboard, cereal boxes, packaging, shoe boxes. Really big boxes can be used to make giant models which can be played in
- Any form of tubes – kitchen rolls, toilet rolls
- Bubble wrap
- Foil sweet wrappers, or tin foil
- Plastic bottles, drinks bottles, fairy liquid etc
- Egg Cartons
- Bottle tops
- Tubs from butter or yoghurts
- Bits of felt
Junk play is good for hand eye coordination, fine motor skills – using skills like cutting with scissors, gluing and painting – and of course for developing the imagination. Their creations have the potential to become anything they wish! I love seeing the sense of pride and achievement in what they have made.
What could you make?
- A ship
- A rocket
- A car garage
- A puppet theatre
- Animals
- A robot
- A house
- A market stall
- A castle (check out this one from Hodge Podge Craft)
The list goes on and on!
If you are interested in tools for junk modelling on a bigger or more advanced scale, have a look at my Makedo post here
You may also be interested in Loose Parts Play
Pin the ideas to come back to?
What are your child’s favourite ideas for Junk Modelling? Let me know in the comments!
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Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
This is a lovely summary of all the Play Fest action. Thanks Anna :o)
Great project and lovely photos! I bought this book too. Haven’t had time to read it yet. Only had a quick look.
They look great! II always want to take over so they look great but know the children having fun is the most important thing!
I am rubbish at art myself so me taking over is not necessarily an improvement!! lol. I like making it with them, enjoy it but my stuff doesn’t come out looking “wow” like some people’s do. Some of the ones on pinterest are amazing!
Some really great ideas here! It’s amazing how much stuff you throw away – or recycle of course 😉 – that you could use for sensory development. Going to try some of these with my twins – we have a giant lollypop container too, so might have to copy that one! x
wow this looks fab i cant wait for my little man to get bigger so we can create! x
Maggie at Red Ted Art is a wealth of great crafty ideas. Popping over from PoCoLo
This all looks great! I’ve just joined play fest on google + but still have no idea how it all works – I haven’t had a chance to look yet! But it looks like you all had a lot of fun :). Thank you for linking to PoCoLo xx
I don’t understand the g+ one myself, i just stick to facebook and twitter!
Brilliant ideas
This looks great – my kids LOVE junk modelling at school, but not been brave enough to try yet at home, but this looks so much fun I might just try it now! (From Parenting Pin it Party – KiddyCharts)
Can’t beat a bit of junk modelling. I am pinning this to my reduce, reuse, recycle board as part of the pinning party.
I still need to buy this book – everyone is raving about it, good old Maggy! This looks like great fun!
Popping over from the Parenting Pin-it Party – have pinned this and followed you, I’m http://pinterest.com/loveallblogs ! x
oooh fantastic. I came from the Pin-it party!
That is one cool rocket! I love it! Thanks so much for joining in with the Pin-It Party. I have pinned to our board and my own and am following your wonderful Izziwizzi group board-it is fabulous 🙂 http://pinterest.com/jbmumofone/
Visiting from the Pin-it party!
Have pinned and followed you on Pinterest – Alice x
My kids love junk modelling.
Visiting from the pin it party, will pin and follow.
http://pinterest.com/karenbell36/
What a brill idea 🙂 Thanks for joining the mumsnet thrifty crafts linky x
Great fun – my kids love things like this!
What a fun day! I love the creativity! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!
Wow never really heard of this before but looks like so much fun and something my little boy would love! X
We’ve got a cupboard full of junk modelling stuff, not sure mine are old enough to do it yet but they love exploring the materials!
Crafting with nothing but free materials and imagination – the best kind of creativity! 😉