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Project challenge:

diy furniture

Suggested Ages: 3rd – 5th Grades

Build custom cardboard furniture you can actually use, then stylize it with your own unique look. In this challenge you’ll learn cardboard construction techniques to create simple seats or small tables with cabinets. You’ll need to BE COURAGEOUS by putting your furniture to maximum weight tests, even if there’s the chance you may break it and have to rebuild.

Engaging Design-It-Yourself projects to inspire young innovators

This is no ordinary DIY project for kids: It’s a step toward becoming an innovator.

 

Every Galileo Design-It-Yourself Challenge teaches the same techniques and mindsets that professional designers an engineers, artists and chefs use in their work. With skills like these, we believe you can change the world.

Get Involved—For Grown Ups

Materials list:

Find these materials or a close substitute: 

 

  • Assorted boxes
  • Paper (stiffer paper like cardstock is better, but not needed)
  • Tape (one type is all that’s needed, but grab more if you can)
  • Glue (almost any glue will work)
  • Black Sharpie or marker
  • Pencil
  • Tube (paper towel tube, pipe, etc.)
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • Cutting tool (steak knife)—To be used with ADULT SUPERVISION

 

Activity GUIDE:

Refer to these steps to keep young innovators on track as they create:

 

Note: The video goes over two furniture options. Kids may decide to build one or both! Support as necessary.

 

SEAT

1.  Find and seal a box (leave it open on just one side).

 

2.  Roll paper support tubes—It’s important these are the same height as the box with even ends. Remind kids of this and support them if necessary.

 

3.  Arrange support tubes in the box.

 

4.  Test box to confirm it can hold weight.

  • Support being courageous—If kids are nervous to test now, remind them that it’s actually better to find out they need to rebuild sooner rather than later
  • Ask: What do you feel when you push on the box? Do you think it needs more support? How many more tubes will you add?

 

5.  Decorate with tape.

 

 

CABINET

1.  Find and seal a few boxes.

 

2.  Roll paper support tubes—It’s important these are the same height as the box with even ends. Remind kids of this and support them if necessary.

 

3.  Create the baffle to hold tubes in place.

 

4.  Test box to confirm it can hold the weight of many books.

  • Support being courageous—If kids are nervous to test now, remind them that it’s actually better to find out they need to rebuild sooner rather than later
  • Ask: What do you feel when you push on the box? Do you think it needs more support? How many more tubes will you add?

 

5.  Plan and cut the door—Important! ADULT SUPERVISION is needed for cutting the door. (View instructions at 5:49)

 

6.  Decorate with tape.

 

7.  Add wide feet.

 

More Ideas:

Every project presents opportunities to add your own twists or extensions. Here are some ideas to get you started: 

 

  • Keep building! Make a whole set of chairs or a whole wall of cabinets!
  • Find ways to take decorating to the next level. Paint, stickers, or colored duct tape are some good ways to do this.

 

Wrap Up Questions:

Lock in the learning by asking kids these questions about their project and how they practiced the featured Innovator’s Mindset element: 

 

  • What are you most proud of about your furniture? What techniques did you learn or try?
  • Were you nervous about testing your furniture with so much weight? Were you about to be courageous and do it anyway? Why do you think it was important to risk breaking your project by stress testing it?
  • Why do you think it’s important to test (and possibly fail) early? Can you imagine other projects where you’d want to test early as opposed to waiting until the end?

SHARE!

The last step in the Gallieo Innovator’s Process is SHARE. Great learning can come from sharing successes and failures—to solidify your own experience as an innovator and to inspire others.

 

SHARE WITH galileo

 

Take a photo or video of the DIY furniture or maybe even a failed test and share it with the Camp Galileo Anywhere Facebook Community.

 

Share with family and friends

 

Your innovation doesn’t stop with you. Inspire someone else by sharing your project challenge—maybe they’ll try it themselves or maybe your project will give them a new idea.

 

  • Who: someone in your house, a family member, a friend
  • How: in person, on the phone, online
  • When: anytime, starting now!