Make a children's activity centre

Make learning fun for young children by creating this small, portable activity centre. It creatively reuses waste materials to make something that is attractive to young children. The walls hold household objects to manipulate and explore using the senses (sight, touch, taste and hearing). Young children enjoy exploring these everyday objects to develop spatial understanding of size and shape, to develop their fine motor skills, hand-eye co-ordination, and gain control of their bodies. These objects can also trigger imaginative play.

You’ll need…

• Clean plywood or sheets of wood, at least 10mm thick; one large or two smaller pieces (I have used a discarded old packing case)
• Screws
• Non-toxic paint
• Clean used and discarded household items such as a tap with a 3/4 nut and thread, a caster wheel, light switch, door handle, keys and short chain, nut and bolt, a bungee cord, a Perspex mirror or similar objects. Source resources from local businesses or a demolition yard, family or friends who are renovating, a builder/plumber/electrician – or visit someone with a garage or shed that’s full of stuff that “may be useful one day” and ask if they will part with some of their treasures.

Tools required

• Hand saw or skill saw
• Drill
• Spanner
• Screwdriver
• Sandpaper
• Jigsaw, to cut shapes

Safety first

Always consider the height of the objects with regard to children’s eyes, and make sure the objects are fitted well. The tap and door handle should be placed in a low position to prevent it being pulled over. Smooth over sharp and rough edges using sandpaper. Remember: would you let children play with the real thing at home?

I have not used objects we usually encourage children not to touch, such as stove elements, power points, and hot taps (red top). Carefully consider what you will add to the activity centre.

Before you let children play with it ask yourself is it clean? Non-toxic? Tidy? Are there any sharp edges? Can children become entrapped? Is it a potential choking hazard? Does it cause splinters? Does it protrude at a child’s eye level? Some children are very strong so the objects themselves need to be strong and fitted well. I have used environmentally-friendly paint.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Cut the ply

Mark out the plywood and cut to size (this one is 72cm x 92cm) with a hand saw or skill saw. Ideally it should stand no more than 1m high as children often try to climb up the sides. Sand the edges and any rough patches. Cut a slot in each board that is half the height of each board, halfway along. This slot should be the same thickness as the plywood.

Step 2: Cut some shapes

Mark the shapes for peep holes (for eye-spy or for posting items) by tracing a round object, then use the jigsaw to cut out the shape. Squares, triangles or rectangles also make interesting additions. Make the holes for the tap, door handles and caster wheel with a drill at this stage.

Step 3: Paint the boards

You can do this with the kids if they’re old enough!

Step 4: Assemble the boards

Slot the boards together, making an X shape.

Step 5: Add your toys

Fix the objects on to the plywood with screws and a screwdriver, or a nut and bolt with a spanner.

Step 6: Test for safety

Gently run your hand over the activity centre to ensure that there are no sharp edges or protrusions that will catch children’s clothing or fingers, etc. You’re done!

Turning Trash into Treasure for Young Children, by Adam Buckingham

Be inspired by this innovative book on upcycled toys written by a NZ early childhood teacher. With over 200 photos, Turning Trash into Treasure for Young Children is a wonderful tool for teaching our young minds about waste minimisation and the need to reduce, reuse and recycle. Order by email: [email protected] or visit www.trash2treasure.co.nz. ($30 incl. postage within NZ)