Invent a spectacular tiny home

Take the Maker Challenge set by designer-maker Ellie Birkhead and try five different activities along to way to get your creativity flowing and help you build up to designing an ingenious invention.

Ellie works with all kinds of materials from wood to clay. She often uses waste materials, such as plastic washed up on the beach or recycled glass bottles. She likes to get her hands dirty and try out all kinds of making techniques to help her come up with her designs.

CHALLENGE PACK

Download the full set of activities to get started on this challenge.

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Activity 1

Different types of houses?

People and animals live in all sorts of homes all over the world. Some have lots of space, some are high up or underground to keep away from danger, some need to stay warm or cool. Where else can you think of that things live?

Activity 2

Who is your tiny house for?

Explore who your tiny creature or person that lives in your house is. Think about what they like to do or want to have in their house. It could be a tiny person or creature or a made up character from your imagination.

Invention sheet

Time to get drawing

Don't forget to upload your invention sheet and a picture of you house model for a chance to win a Little Inventors Go Green! book. We can't wait to see your ideas!

Activity 3

Making salt dough bricks

Here you will find the recipe and instructions to make tiny bricks to build your tiny house!

Activity 4

Be a texture detective!

Gather textures that you can use on your tiny home.

Activity 5

You are ready to get building!

Using your bricks and recycled materials you find at home create a model of your tiny house invention.