We’ve finally (sort of) settled into a vacation groove, and one thing that the girls have really been enjoying  is making. Through my job I’ve been exposed to the whole maker movement and it’s such a great way to engage the kids, get some learning in, and create with our hands.

The first project was building a bird house we had on the shelf since summer. Sure, it was a precut “kit” with only assembly required, but it was a great start for Maia and Aliya. They both loved hammering, and Maia especially was really into using the screwdriver. Of course we had to decorate it after, something the whole family enjoyed doing.

The other project we’ve been working on is weaving bracelets out of these little, colored rubber bands. Maia got a kit for her birthday and Keana a kit for Christmas. There are simple, single-strand designs, and much more complicated ones. It’s been a great way for Keana to learn perseverance and patience. It’s also been good for her to see me struggle, make mistakes, and step back to problem solve. She in turn has mastered a couple designs and has now taught both her younger sisters how to do it—she’s an excellent teacher.

This vacation there’s been a fair amount of lounging, movies, and playing outside, but these little “make” projects have been a really cool way to do something different and exercise their minds and hands.