3 Simple & Affordable Mini Makerspace Hacks

Not sure where to start with setting up a hands-on STEM learning space in your home or classroom?  Here are three simple & affordable ways to create a mini makerspace! 

All of these projects were made using our Peel 'n Stick Baseplates. These are ideal for DIY hacks because there is no glue required, simply peel off the backing and stick down the baseplate. Simply click the title of each project to see the full blog for all of the materials used and directions.

1. DIY Literacy Learning Boxes

We added a Peel 'n Stick Baseplate to the lid of a colorful container from Michaels and filled the box with StoryBricks®. We also included some sight word cards for our elementary schooler and flashcards for our toddler.

Both kids carefully picked out the correct letters to match their cards which was great for letter recognition and spelling. Using the StoryBricks is perfect for fine motor skill development. It was great that both a three-year-old and seven-year-old were able to enjoy these literacy boxes because they are so easily adapted to be age and ability appropriate. As parents we also love that all of the contents of the box can be neatly and securely stored when not in use!

2. Mini Whiteboard Peel 'n Stick Hack

Are your kids obsessed with whiteboards too? Ours love to use whiteboards for learning and just for fun doodling as well. In this hack we used a small whiteboard from Walmart which cost a little over $1 to make a word writing and building makerspace with our StoryBricks.

The great thing about this hack is that there is space to build and write. Our First Grader loved picking out a high frequency word, attaching it to the whiteboard, building it with StoryBricks and then writing it. To challenge him further we then asked him to use the word in a sentence, build it and then write it.

Our little toddler found another great use for the mini whiteboard, she enjoyed drawing pictures and then using Pixel Bricks to build her masterpiece. Here you can see her building and drawing Daniel Tiger (in case it's not too obvious, ha!).

3. StoryBricks Spelling Clip Boards

Last, but not least - another affordable project using $1 clip boards from Walmart, a Peel 'n Stick Baseplate and our StoryBricks. These would be great for using in literacy learning groups as multiple kids can easily share one set of StoryBricks and a baseplate will easily make four clipboards.

Our first grader enjoyed choosing sight words to clip to his board and then spelled them out with the StoryBricks. He also enjoyed writing his own words to then spell rather than just copy the words in front of him. We also gave the same set up to our toddler to enjoy and she did a great job with a few simple words. This was good letter recognition for her, as well as using her fine motor skills.

We hope these simple DIY hacks have given you some inspiration for mini makerspace making in your classroom or homeschooling room. We love how these projects were so easy to put together and can be enjoyed by kids of all ages. Don't forget to tag us with your Peel 'n Stick creations on social media, @creativeqt!

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Creative QT designs quality + innovative toys that declutter homes and inspire creative play. Founded by parents of five, Adam and Dana Sue Hinkle, Creative QT’s vision is to empower parents and encourage a culture of families that Make Time Together. All products are designed to enrich families’ lives through active, creative play and play based learning. Creative QT products are laboratory tested for compliance with CPSC requirements and are free of lead, cadmium and phthalates so you can play with confidence. So, go ahead … today is the day: be your kid’s hero.

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