What are Art Machines? They're kinetic creatures built of a system of simple machines - levers and fulcra - that come to life when their parts all move together!
It's a perfect 30 to 45-minute screen-free engineering activity for ages 5 and up, with playful engineering extensions available in our educator guides.
PK / TK learners benefit from the parallel play of a caregiver or educator with their own pack!
Learners design interactive sculptures that move using simple mechanical principles. By combining how levers and fulcra work with drawing, cutting, and attaching creature features, this project is an engaging way to introduce design thinking and engineering concepts through creativity and independent problem-solving.
What's in the pack?
This is an individually packed kit in a reclosable bag, containing
a special die-cut lever board
one 8-pack of colored fasteners
a chipboard rectangle
a colorful sticky strip sheet, and
a learner build guide.
You’ll just need to provide drawing materials and scissors.
What do adults need to support?
Art Machines have a coaching playbook available via our website, featuring quick-start guides, slide decks, extensions, and videos, so adults can quickly prepare and confidently play alongside their learners.
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