There’s something deeply satisfying about building something with your hands and then watching it spring to life through play. My four-year-old is deep in a “build it” phase. Dens, caravans, planes, boats, if you ask him if he wants to make something, the answer is always yes. Outdoors? Even better.
His two-year-old sister is right behind him, keen to copy everything he does. Whether her interests will diverge is anyone’s guess, but for now, they’re quite the crafting duo.
Bug Hotels & Nature Builds
One of our first summer creations was an insect house at the grandparents’ place.
We later made another at home using logs, twigs, and a few odds and ends lying around. It’s amazing what you can assemble with a bit of imagination and a pile of nature.
Rafts & Boat Engineering
Thanks to my son’s stick-collecting obsession, we ended up with a mound that could rival a hedgehog house. That quickly became our raw material for a homemade raft.
Inspired by the success, we upgraded to small sailing boats crafted from leftover pallet wood.
Then came the big idea: adding engines! Which, as it turns out, promptly caused the boats to sink. The answer? Build bigger ones. Engineering lesson: size matters when adding motors.
Ballooning into Fantasy
My daughter and I started a hot air balloon project, using papier-mâché to create a balloon body (she was great at tearing, although not quite as meticulous as her brother). Once it was dry, I painted it. I also made a basket woven from string we had lying around. It’s still a prototype, but now the challenge is set: each family member will make their balloon. I might have just started a fleet!
What’s Next?
Bigger sailing boats to handle our ambitious engines are on the horizon. And, of course, my son has requested an aeroplane. Still mulling over the blueprint for that one.
These little creations aren’t just crafts; they’re shared stories, lessons, and memories built stick by stick. I love watching our children’s imaginations shape the world around them, and I look forward to seeing what we’ll create next.
Cool Upcycled 