Homes in the Bay Area are often big on character but short on square footage. Finding room to squeeze in everything kids need to learn, grow, and play in a small space may feel daunting, but you can still carve out an area for them to indulge in creative chaos with some creativity of your own. In this post, we’ll share some ideas for how to set up a mini makerspace at home for your little maker, along with some suggested supplies to stock it for maximum fun and STEM learning.
What Is a Makerspace?
By definition, a makerspace is a communal workshop where people tackle small personal projects. In public, participating in a makerspace community invites collaboration (like at STEMful’s Curiosity Club for grades TK–1 and Curiosity Creators for grades 2–5), but at home, it can be a perfect place for kids to work on creative projects and get a little messy.
In a mini makerspace, kids can build, experiment, and learn on their own, or with guided play.
Making Space for a Mini Makerspace
With space at a premium in urban homes, finding a space for creative projects can be tricky. Here are some ideas for semi-permanent places in your living space:
- Corner of the living room
- A small card table or kids’ table in the kitchen
- Bedroom shelf
- Fold-down Murphy-style table or desk surface
No room for a dedicated mini makerspace? Try a rolling cart with storage that you can stash in a closet or another out-of-the-way spot, and bring it out when it’s time for a creative play session.
How to Stock a Mini Makerspace
While makerspaces for adults may have power tools, large-scale 3D printers, and other pricier, bulkier equipment that most people don’t have the space at home or budget for, a mini makerspace for kids is much simpler. With repurposed items and things you may already have around the house, along with some homemade items, you can help build an oasis for kids whenever the creative mood strikes.
Tip: One of our favorite hacks for setting up a Makerspace is The Power of Three. Excessive choice can lead to ‘choice paralysis,’ leaving a child unable to play creatively. When a mini-maker is faced with 20 different materials, their brain spends all its energy deciding instead of doing.
For Kids Ages 4–6
- Washable waterproof mat for easy cleanup
- Paper
- Kraft paper in larger sheets (best for containing a mess or lining a surface)
- Construction paper
- Scrap paper collection
- Magazine pages
- Tape
- Washi (for decoration)
- Masking (for building paper structures)
- Blocks and other building sets
- Recycled materials: paper towel or toilet paper tubes, cardboard shipping boxes, paperboard from packaging, plastic takeout lids and containers
- Blunt-tipped plastic scissors
- Nontoxic, washable glue or glue stick
- Wooden Popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners
- Homemade or store-bought play dough or other nontoxic modeling clay
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Paints and drawing materials
Materials for sensory play
For Kids Ages 7 and Up
For older kids, you can include any of the supplies above, plus additional materials that might appeal to their budding STEM interests. (Check out other posts on our blog for more project ideas!) Try adding:
- Copper tape, coin batteries, and LEDs for making simple circuits
- Rubber bands, marbles, or small balls for kinetics/physics projects
- Kid-safe containers for home chemistry experiments
Ask kids for their input too. What would they like to make and do in their space? Work together on coming up with projects and materials they can use at home.
Keep Things Organized and Fresh
Now that you’ve assembled your mini makerspace supplies, you’ll need to organize and contain them, at least when they’re not in use. Clear plastic storage tubs are ideal so kids can see and access what they need and stay inspired. Store collections of smaller objects in sturdy clear jars on a low shelf or in a bin. If supplies are stored out of sight, rotate them to keep things novel and interesting for kids.
If wall space is available, hanging storage at kid height with pockets or hooks ensures materials are handy and off the floor. Or use a well-organized underbed bin or box with dividers to keep chaos to a minimum.
Collaborative MakerSpace Activities at STEMful
A home makerspace means creativity and learning at your kids’ fingertips any time of day. When children have the opportunity to explore, the freedom to create, and the space to experiment, their natural curiosity flourishes. For more advanced projects or structured activities that invite collaboration, such as team robotics and programming projects, sign your child up for our after-school programs in STEMful’s own MakerSpace.