Tinker Camp
Schedule for 5 Days of Tinker Camp
-
Want the schedule for the whole week?
Download the PDF ➜ -
Day 1
Radical RoboticsLearn what a robot actually is, make a wind-up toy painting, design your own robot & more!
View content ➜ -
Day 2
Hands-On HydraulicsLearn how hydraulics work, make a plastic-cup squirt gun, build a hydraulic machine & more!
View content ➜ -
Day 3
Playing with IllusionsLearn about the science behind movie illusions, explore the evolution of special effects, make your own stop-motion movie & more!
View content ➜ -
Day 4
Tinkering with ToysLearn all about automatons, visit a "cabinet of curiosities," explore toy product design at MIT, then build your own mechanical toy!
View content ➜ -
Day 5
Seeing StarsTake a crash course in astronomy — learn about stars & why they shine, explore the constellations & plan a campout under the night sky!
View content ➜
What you’ll need
- Download All Printables
- Kitchen Materials:
- aluminum foil
- bowl
- plastic wrap
- skewers or chopsticks
- straw (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- water
- Building Materials:
- plastic Luer lock syringes (if you don't have the Hydraulic Claw crate)
- plastic or silicone tubing to fit syringes (if you don't have the Hydraulic Claw crate)
- tube and syringes (if you have the Hydraulic Claw crate)
- mini electric motor (DC 1.5–3V)
- AA battery holder with leads
- AA battery
- tape
- duct tape
- brads
- stapler (optional)
- binder clips
- cotton swabs
- craft sticks
- push pins
- rubber bands
- springs
- string
- craft knife
- scissors
- wire strippers (optional)
- Recycled Materials:
- cardboard
- Tinker Crate boxes or shoebox (4)
- matchbox or other small box
- toilet paper tubes
- empty 2-liter bottle
- empty cracker boxes or other small boxes
- empty tissue box
- empty water bottle
- glass jar
- Art Materials:
- cardstock paper
- construction paper
- large sheet of paper
- printer paper or graph paper
- crayons, colored pencils, or markers
- pen and pencil
- liquid watercolor or food coloring
- glue
- pipe cleaners
- ruler
- wiggle eyes
- Other Materials:
- action figures or other portable toys
- wind-up toy
- balloon
- garden hose
- electric tea light
- flashlight or lantern
- pillows
- sleeping bags or blankets
- tent or sheet (optional)
- smartphone (or camera)
- Crates (Optional)
- Recipe Ingredients:
- marshmallows
- graham crackers
- chocolate bar