🎨 Moving & making · Ages 6–7 · about 3 weeks

Design, Make and Display

Goal: Plan a small construction, use folding and joining to make it, and explain a choice of shapes or patterns.

For parents: Use clean lightweight packaging checked by an adult. Supervise safety scissors closely; tearing and adult-prepared pieces are alternatives. Use small lengths of paper tape if already available, keeping scraps out of mouths. Build low and never put body weight on a model.

Do together

  1. Sketch an idea

    You need: Scrap paper, crayons and two small empty cardboard boxes

    Invite your child to plan a reading corner for a pretend toy or an invented building. Sketch the main shapes and choose which boxes might work. Ask how a folded piece could make a seat or roof. Keep the plan simple enough to try today.

  2. Fold and join

    You need: The boxes, paper and optional paper tape

    Make the planned parts. Fold the end of a paper strip to make a tab: a small flap used to join pieces. Hold a tab against a box and secure with tape if available, or tuck the fold under a box. Let your child hold, fold and position while you help with difficult joins.

  3. Give the model a finish

    You need: Crayons and large paper shapes

    Choose shapes or a repeating border to decorate the model. Ask your child to explain the choice and test whether a loose part needs another fold. Give the model a title. Show it to someone or describe it together without needing a photograph.

Talk about it

  • Which shape could make that part?
  • Where might a folded tab help?
  • What does your chosen pattern add to the model?

Words to use

  • design
  • sketch
  • fold
  • tab
  • join
  • pattern
  • display

Play

  • Shape Builder
    Building
  • Pattern Parade
    Patterns
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