V&A: Early Years Digital Makerspaces

This activity was aimed at babies and children from six months old and was inspired by the sensory treasure basket concept used widely in early years education and play. Families received a large canvas box and a range of resources to create a treasure basket. Treasure items included natural objects such as a large feather, loofa and wooden shapes and pegs. Families were encouraged to add things from their home including kitchen utensils like wooden spoons and a whisk. Included in their kit was a medium sized gift box with a lid and a sound record function. Parents and children learned how to record sounds and messages that would play as the lid was opened. Young children explored the treasure items and tinkered with putting different objects into the gift box. Older children also decorated their boxes as a curious talking gift for the Cheshire Cat.

Children jumped down the rabbit hole with the workshop facilitator and explored the curious land of wonder. They excitedly unpacked their kit bag that was full of interesting items including a wind-up torch, coloured paddles, feathers, paint sticks and funny eyes. Children had fun winding up the torch and learning a new hero word “Super-capacitor” before experimenting with light and creating shadows on the wall, floor, and paper. Families looked for household items that might create interesting shadows. Children used craft materials to create pictures and collages as they interpreted the patterns created in shadow.

This activity centred around the theme of the theatre and explored the use of cardboard for construction. Children reused the postal box their kit arrived in to construct their own theatre. Creating the theatre taught families some basic cardboard cutting and attachment techniques and encouraged children to lead on their own theatre design. Children made characters and props and learned how to integrate digital elements such as lights, sound effects and moving pictures into their theatre design.