There is no better imaginative play than allowing kids to transport themselves to a galaxy far far away, where robots and aliens live among rocket ships and unexplored galaxies. With just a few objects salvaged from the recycling bin we become astronauts exploring new frontiers, or a robot in a distant constellation. For this project you will need:
- Some cardboard (cereal box, cardboard packaging etc.)
- Tin foil
- Plastic lids from juice & milk cartons
- Paper cup or kitchen roll tube
- Toilet roll
- Old/damaged CD or DVD
- Glue stick & scissors
- Paint & brush
- Any other interesting items foraged from the recycling bin
- Life support control panel
Flatten the cardboard box and glue tin foil over the front and around the sides. Draw with a permanent marker pen a border and a line across the middle with bolts either side. Draw on the CD - dials, gauges and speaker grid and glue to base. Glue and cover the plastic bottle tops with tin foil and attach to base. Cut a toilet roll in half, glue & cover in foil, and paint blue stripes on side – leave to dry. On a piece of card draw an oxygen monitor in black pen – see below. Draw on the foil covered lids grid lines & cog effect. Carefully cut off the peaks of an egg carton and paint blue. Glue all the above to the foil base and add some ribbon or string to back so it can be worn around the neck.
- Communication arm cuff
Cut the bottom off a paper cup and if it does not fit over the child’s hand you can cut up the side. Glue & cover the cup in tin foil. On card draw a mesh speaker cover and paint the cup base in blue and glue onto the card. Glue the speaker panel onto the foil cuff. When worn you may need to use some tape to secure the opening. Ta da - you now have your robot or astronaut survival kit needed for exploring new frontiers. And remember next time you are out and about to practise your slow-mo astronaut walkiiiiinnnnnggggggg…….
