Tinker Crate is a subscription box that inspires kids to learn about science, engineering, and technology, all while having lots of fun. Each month, the box explores a field of study within a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) discipline. Kids practice their problem-solving skills and learn how to engage in both structured and open-ended exploration and investigation. Most boxes walk the tinkerers through the construction of fairly complex mechanical devices.
This month’s theme is MECHANICAL BIRD!
Everything arrives together in a single Tinker Crate – the supplies, a fold-out instruction sheet, and the Tinker Zine.
DEAL: Use this link to save 30% on your first box of Tinker Crate! (or Kiwi Crate and the KiwiCo family subscriptions Koala Crate and Doodle Crate).
Tinker Zine
The main project is always a great hands-on activity and a great demonstration of the scientific principles featured in the box, but the Tinker Zine is full of well-written, historically and scientifically accurate background and explanatory materials. This where the lessons really take shape!
The Tinker Zine does a great job of explaining the technology and introducing it in a way that catches the interests of the kids. This issue started out by providing the summary of content inside by showing some illustration of different kinds of fantastic flyers.
One side of the sheet explains how the birds can fly and perform different aerobatic moves without difficulty.
The booklet also discusses variety type of wings and how it affects each of their flying techniques!
This spread features the anatomy of a bird’s wing. It’s well-detailed and jampacked with information, so kids can easily understand its importance for birds.
Tinker Crate Blueprint + Materials
The kit includes all the materials needed to construct your own mechanical bird.
There’s also a list of all the materials.
The step-by-step instructions guide you through the project. They are clearly written and very easy to follow, pointing out potential pitfalls so you don’t go astray.
Tinker Crate Activities
My daughter was able to grasp the instructions easily, and made the first wing with ease.
The guide also made some key points and reminders on how things should be placed and how they should look.
The stand is done and the gears are completely attached.
Is there something wrong? The leaflet also provides a trouble shooting in any case that the wings don’t flap.
The wing pieces are made from thick and sturdy cardboard.
Our mechanical bird looks great!
The mechanisms that made this bird flap its wings are all explained in the booklet, including pivot points, a reverse motion linkage, and interlocking teeth.
Setting up was fun and enjoyable! The detailed instructions helped a lot.
Here’s a video tutorial from Tinker Crate, just in case you need more help!
Tinker Crate Extension Activities
You may also try other activities like Flapping Crane!
Tinker Zine also included book suggestions for kids which includes Backyard Birds and Sadako and The Thousand Paper Cranes.
My kids enjoy Tinker Crate a lot! This subscription has been a great source of exciting STEM activities for them. This month’s mechanical bird activity was fun, my daughter had a a great time setting it up and geeking out on the various mechanisms it involved. Of course, we had fun seeing the bird come alive too with its flapping cardboard wings. The Tinker Zine booklet is always so helpful they explain things in a way that even a child can easily grasp the information. Overall, this is a perfect subscription for parents who want to further develop their child’s interest in science!
Have you tried Tinker Crate yet with your kids?
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