Construction doesn’t just create beautiful buildings, it’s also an excellent activity for children!
There are so many benefits that come with a construction-based challenge, from problem-solving and analytical thinking to inventiveness. You can encourage your children to express their own ideas using a range of real-life tools by choosing the right activity.
Construction Projects
To find the right project for your kids to get stuck into, take into consideration the age and physical development of the children taking part in the task. You should also bear in mind the range of materials you have available and the time and space you have for your fun-filled project. Finally, you know what your children are interested in – pick something they care about which will grab their attention.
So what practical architecture tasks are out there? One of the easiest materials to get hold of is paper – you’d be amazed at how much you can do with some newspaper and sticky tape!
Get children involved in construction projects and they might become successful tradesmen! Well, let’s hope not…
See if the children can build a tower that will hold the weight of a dictionary, or a bridge that reaches from one table to the other. Make it a competition and see who can build the highest free-standing structure with just three pieces of paper. We’re sure that with these fun games you’ll have a class of aspiring architects in no time!
Here is a great teaching resource for those of you interested in teaching engineering & construction to children.
Lego – Of Course!
Do you sometimes wish that kids these days would put down their mobile phones and pick up some Lego? Well, with this challenge it could really happen. Think of how many pieces of Lego there are, now think of what you could build – the opportunities are endless! Make it fun and see if they can build a robot or improve their practical skills, or give them a brief to construct a tool that will help make everyday life easier. If the children are older, why not throw a challenge in there and limit the number of pieces of Lego they can use?
Simple Challenges for Younger Kids
If you’re in the mood for introducing some art materials, try out the “Dam Challenge”.
With just ice-lolly sticks, water and some modelling clay, see if the kids can build a miniature working dam. Maybe go DIY and ask the little ones to make some improvements to everyday objects such as pencils or a plastic cup. You never know, you might end up with a Dragons’ Den-worthy contraption.
Here are some more challenges with sticks:
A sensory bottle is great for toddlers, even if they just see how it is put together.
Ideal in the autumn – get outside, collect leaves, twigs, etc. and place in a see-through plastic bottle.
Very basic, but the idea is to get children involved in making lots of bits and bobs, from helping out with recipes to building lego towers, it all helps with practical skills and confidence.
Just make sure none of the parts get eaten by younger children!
Make sure you support the kids throughout their challenge. Start the task by explaining the problem and what needs to be done, talk through the different materials and describe what they’re traditionally used for, then brainstorm ideas to encourage your children to be as creative as possible.
Have you tried to get your kids involved with a construction challenge, whether in the classroom or on the living room carpet? Let us know their favourite!