Makefest at home

We enjoyed a week making things at home, all inspired by the Science Museum Group’s collection of fun activities and resources.

Even though half term is over, the fun doesn’t have to stop. Here’s a round-up of our Makefest At Home challenges, with top tips and handy downloadable guides. All the activities can be made with things you find around the home and are here ready for you to enjoy on rainy days, family weekends or just a quiet afternoon.

If you do try one of our Makefest challenges and make something at home, we would love to see it. Share your creations with us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram using #MakefestAtHome.

CHALLENGE 1: MAKE IT… MOVE

Flip, spin, push, pull… can you make something move?

For our first challenge we made a pinball machine. Using an old box, an egg carton, lolly sticks, sticky tape and some design flair, Emilia made this colourful forest-themed game:

Here is the Pinball Machine in action🙌 It turned out great! If you want to make one follow the link here: https://t.co/ZjBe4cq8xr

What else can you do to Make It Move today? Show us with #MakefestAtHome #MakeItMove pic.twitter.com/egptTqUW8Y

— Science and Industry Museum (@sim_manchester) May 25, 2020

CHALLENGE 2: MAKE IT… TALL

There are tall things all around us, from statues to skyscrapers, and this challenge is all about building something really tall.

Ella and Mary used spaghetti and marshmallows for their spaghetti structure, but there are lots of things about your home that would make great materials. How about seeing how high you can stack a pile of books or toys?

If you want to try it follow the link here: https://t.co/7tRnzSAxRW

Or why not try something else? What’s the tallest thing you see today? Show us how you #MakeItTall 🦒🌲🌻#MakefestAtHome pic.twitter.com/eqsQsqfoZJ

— Science and Industry Museum (@sim_manchester) May 26, 2020

CHALLENGE 3: MAKE IT… STRONG

Bridges and buildings need to be strong to stay up and support other things.

For this challenge Ceri built a dome using drinking straws. Ceri recycled some old plastic ones but used paper ones for the rest, which we’d recommend using as they proved just as strong:

Let’s see how strong it is 🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/EiZVoKsftO

— Science and Industry Museum (@sim_manchester) May 27, 2020

CHALLENGE 4: MAKE IT… LOUD

Noisy toys are lots of fun, but can you find ways to amplify sound?

Georgina made different Tune Boosters to make her smart phone sound louder. She used a cardboard tube, a glass bowl and some paper. What can you find around the home to make it loud?

Who’d have thought you can make a speaker out of a loo roll??? 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/VcHclWYxDg

— Science and Industry Museum (@sim_manchester) May 28, 2020

CHALLENGE 5: MAKE IT… FLY

Can you make something that can glide through the air like a bird or a plane? Or have you ever tried launching a rocket?

With just some sheets of paper, a plastic bottle and a bit of creativity, you can put your flying skills to the test and try out different designs to see which ones go further, higher or faster.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Blast off 🚀 pic.twitter.com/Dlrg4xsgZq

— Science and Industry Museum (@sim_manchester) May 29, 2020

We’d love to see what you make, so keep sharing your creations with us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, using the hashtag #MakefestAtHome.

If you love these, you can find more activities to try at home on the Science Museum Group’s Learning Resources website.