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At the Home-Fix maker space, a day pass costs $20, while a monthly one costs $120. More people here are becoming interested in making their own things, said Mr William Hooi, 41, an event and creative consultant who organises "maker gatherings". About 300 people showed up for a meet-up two months ago, up from about 20 at the first one in January last year.
This will likely give you all of the illumination that you need. For desktop spot-lighting, I use LED light panels that are used for photography and video production. These go for around $30 and have color temperature and brightness adjustments. By having a makerspace for your kids, you give them the tools and opportunity to express themselves.
Specialty Tools
Pretty much any project they might want to try will use these, so you might want to bulk buy to save some money. They let kids get creative in all sorts of different ways. They can use them to add color to all the things they create, not just painting pictures.
It is the newest "maker space" here, a term said to have originated in the United States in the mid-2000s. It refers to shared spaces, often furnished with things such as specialised tools and equipment, that people can use for a fee to design and create objects. Another thing that newbie home shop creators don’t plan adequately for is storage systems.
Workbench(es)
Some kids only need to be pointed at a makerspace, and they’ll be away. Their imaginations will take them on an adventure. Other kids like to have some structure and guidance to help them get started. It’s totally normal for kids to feel overwhelmed if they’re given total freedom.
They are handy for planning projects, keeping track of where they are in a project, and just noting down ideas and reminders. Before you can start planning your space, you might want to take a little while to think about how the space is going to be used. This will depend on a combination of the age and interests of your child. Once you know what your child will use the space for, you can get a good idea about how much storage space vs. table space you’ll need. Once the creative juices start flowing, pat yourself on the back for building your very own screen-free play area.
Start StoryMaking to Join the Maker Movement
Join your professional membership association, explore local Affiliates, and access unbeatable member benefits. Join us at the members-only event and build your advocacy skills, expand your networks, and advance federal and state early childhood policy. Learn about our work with governments and NGOs around the world to support young children and their teachers. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month for the first 3 months. The event is free but donations to the repair cafe are encouraged to keep this event going. Or with a bike when the wheel runs out of alignment?
Physical Computing — Microcontrollers and single board computers, like the Arduino and the Raspberry Pi, have revolutionized the use of computer-controlled devices and sensors in the physical world. These computers are inexpensive, and while they require some expertise in basic electronics and programming to operate, they are designed to appeal to as wide a range of users as possible. Knowing this technology and having the basic equipment in your shop to work with them can greatly expand the range of projects that you can tackle.
If you don’t want to commit to a monthly box, you might want to check our Kiwi Crate. They have a monthly subscription box, but you can also buy single boxes or a set of 3 or 5. This is an excellent option if you want to have more flexibility about the projects’ timing. For instance, if you’re trying to be more environmentally conscious, you might be interested in Green Kid Craft. It’s a subscription box that is filled with recycled materials.
If you and your kids need some inspiration, then here are some great places to look. The reasons behind scissors being on this list are probably obvious. They are among the most useful tools in existence, no matter what you’re trying to do.
Oh, and don't be surprised if your makerspace becomes the new go-to place for children’s neighborhood get-togethers. FIX Makerspace is the first and only coworking & makerspace in Oradea and in the North-West region of Romania. There are 6 creative workshops and coworking studios available based on membership. Besides the basic tools, you will likely need specialty tools for the types of making you’ll be engaged in. This process will also impact some of your basic tool choices. Group makerspaces are great, but some areas don’t yet have one and some people prefer the convenience and solitary nature of working at home.
The most important feature of any makerspace is storage. A good makerspace should have room for all the tools and materials your kids will need for their projects. If you can get a desk with built-in storage, that’s a good option. You may also want to look at things like bookcases, which can be used to organize a wide range of items. Whether you acknowledge it or not, you are a maker.
