Maker Studio Creation – American Ocean

The American Ocean - Maker Studio ThinkFun
Photo-A-Day #3652

We received a Maker Studio Winches Kit from ThinkFun. Eva and I are part of the Maker Recruitment program and were given the task of using the kit to make something brand new. The idea behind these kits is that you use recycled materials to help build your creation.

With Eva, she had a an idea of making something super elaborate. I had to dial it back a bit to build something great but simple enough that we can do it together. We were in the car and there was an empty apple juice bottle caught my eye. I knew that we had two of them and the thought of a submarine popped into my head.

Using the wheels as propellors and then some connecting pieces to put them together. We had to use a drill to put some holes through the plastic of the bottles in order to put the rods through the bottles. We also used a couple of the gears together to make a handle with which to turn the winch.

Eva picked out the colors for the design and she named the submarine, “American Ocean”. Not sure where she got that name but that was her deal. Then we painted some bottle caps to make windows and also added a bubble on top with some LEGO pieces and a figure to drive the sub.

We are looking forward to more of these kits and want to build even more things with them. It was such a fun project.

PBS Kids Reminds You to Get Outside and Explore!

PBS Kids Explore the Outdoors Initative

Because I am a PBS Kids VIP (Very Involved Parent) I received a special Explore the Outdoors Kit with many fun things. Included were Outdoors Activity Sheets, Stickers, A Book, A Dinosaur Train Nature Trackers DVD, a Screener of all new episodes of Dinosaur Train and Wild Kratts plus other things like Seed Stakes and an adventure journal. April is Explore the Outdoors month and on April 6 all new outdoors themed content will be available on air, online and on mobile.

At our home we do try and get outside and get into nature often. Last year we started gardening with the kids with a small patio planter. This year we are going to expand upon that. We’ll probably use the seed stakes to plant even more chives around the house. The previous owner planted a bunch of it and there are so many plants around the house. It smells great when I mow the lawn.

We also joined the Audubon Society last year and renewed that membership this year. We tried to get out to as many Audubon locations last year and hope to do even more this year.

IF you want more ideas for getting outside and exploring check out the Explore the Outdoors Twitter party on Wednesday, April 15 at 2pm EST Continue reading PBS Kids Reminds You to Get Outside and Explore!