This post is sponsored by Moose Toys.
The older my kids get, the more they enjoy making things. While they still love doing art just for the sake of experimenting and creating, they also love to make plans and work on inventing and creating a finished product.
This kind of STEM or STEAM activity (science, technology, engineering, art and maths) is a great way to encourage creative and critical thinking and to combine learning across a number of areas in an holistic way… but it’s also super fun!
Recently we did a simple STEAM activity when I challenged my boys to design Qixels robots!
Qixels are a little like perler beads, but they are a bit bigger and easier for small hands to manage, and they stick together with a simple spray of water, so no need for a hot iron. This meant that my kids (aged 5 – 11 years) could plan, experiment, and create with very little input from me.
You can use the Qixels straight out of the box, following the pattern cards provided, to make all kinds of things, but I set my boys a challenge to plan and create their own robots.
To get them started I created some printable pattern sheets – simple hexagon shapes with a grid of little squares.
You can download this free printable ‘design your own pattern’ page here.
We used the pattern sheet to plan and create our robots.
To start with, we simply coloured in the squares with markers to design our robots. This was an easy, hands on, way for both boys to grasp the concept of putting together numbers of squares to make a picture.
Then I showed Morgan (who is 8) how to use the computer to digitally fill the squares.
You can open the pattern printable in any kind of editing software, such as photoshop, and highlight and fill each square with colour. This made it easy to change your mind, or fix mistakes, and it meant we could easily print multiple copies of each design.
Once the designs were done the boys started creating their robots.
I was quite surprised at how well Noah (who is five) managed this activity. He quickly worked out that he needed to count squares on the pattern and put the same amount of squares of the correct colours onto the plastic frame.
He was using so many maths and spatial awareness skills that I didn’t even know he had!
A quick spray with water and a chemical reaction takes place making the Qixels stick together – then all you need to do is wait for them to dry.
We used the tag attachment that comes with some Qixels sets to turn a couple of the robots into bag tags. You just turn them over and push the attachment into the back, and you can take it off and use it on another design just as easily. You could also thread string through the gaps in the design itself to make a cool bag tag or necklace.
We’ve turned two of our favourite robot patterns into free printable templates so you can make them too.
You can download the free printable robot patterns here.
The boys worked really hard planning, designing and then building their robots and they were super pleased with the results.
You can also use these printable patterns and templates with perler beads or other ‘melty’ beads. So if your kids love this activity check out these 40+ awesome perler bead ideas and tips to keep your kids busy for hours.
If you’d like to have a go at this easy STEAM activity you can pick up a pack of Qixels at most toy retailers, but you can also win some!
Win a Qixels Prize Pack and Create Your Own Designs.
This competition is now closed. Congratulations to our winner Sue who suggested they might renovate their house with Qixels!
I have a HUGE Qixels prize pack to give away with enough Qixels to make all kinds of cool designs and characters! It includes one Qixels Turbo Dryer, two Qixels Design Creator sets, and six Qixels Theme Sets!
To enter simply leave a comment on this post answering this question:
What would you, or your kids, design and create with Qixels?
The most creative, funny or interesting comment will be judged the winner.
You must be an Australian resident to enter, and entries close at midday on Wednesday November 25th 2015. See full terms and conditions below.
Competition Terms and Conditions.
You must be an Australian resident and have an Australian postal address to enter.
You must be 18 + years of age to enter.
You must provide a valid email address and entries are limited to one per household.
Entries close Wednesday 25th November 2015 at 11:59am Australian EST.
Entries will be judged on merit and creativity.
One winner will receive a Qixels Prize pack containing 1 Qixels Turbo Dryer pack, 2 Qixels Design creator sets and 6 Qixels theme sets. Prize may differ from pictured.
Winners will be contacted by email and announced on this post by Monday 2nd November 2015.
The winner must contact me within 5 days or the prize will be re-drawn.
The winner agrees to have their contact details passed on to the appropriate PR company or brand representative who will send out/organise the prizes directly.
Elise says
My son would love to make batman; his current obsession.
sue paterson says
Advanced Qixel skills is the only way we will ever get the extension we’d like!
I wonder how long building an extra bedroom & bathroom would keep the kiddo amused for?
Kath says
Hi Kate,
If we won your Qixels competition my granddaughter and I would be making Picklebums. Her four year old sense of humour takes great delight in silly made-up names. When she was wearing a pink feather boa around her neck I told her she had better see the doctor because she had “pinkfeatheritis” and she fell about the floor giggling. With a little hint of naughtiness in the name Picklebums I see more laughter on the horizon as she powers full STEAM ahead.
Kath
Debs says
My daughter loves using the perler beads, which is great, but it is a little annoying getting the iron out on demand, haha. I LOVE that these use water! How cool! I think the slightly bigger size would also appeal to my 4y/o who seems to find standard perler beads a bit fiddly and annoying at the moment (they can knock off the board very easily). Great printable too. Thanks for sharing :)
Ana says
I love this activity! Great pattern, design, and fine motor activity all rolled into one cool project!
Kate Lloyd says
I would look at getting this for my nephew. He loves anything to do with sports so I’m sure he would love designing various sport balls and equipment.
Danya Banya says
Love your robots Kate! I\’m just trying to work out what we would make. My 5 year old is currently interested in (real life) princesses, so maybe we could use a picture of a real historical crown or tiara and see if we can copy the design Qixels style? (Would make a great bag tag too – unusual bag tags are all the rage at JJ\’s school at the moment!)
Judy Woodward says
I would get this for my great grandson who would most likely design a robot to help him with his toy trains!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amber Kraver says
I am an elementary CS/STEAM teacher. I started teaching less than 12 weeks ago! During the 12/7 Hour of Code, I’m planning to encourage STEAM curriculum integration via an event I’ll throw … “Full STEAM Ahead Thrown Down!” Teachers doing code.org coding for points, while students race around to robot obstacle course stations earning points for team students! After an hour, points tallied teachers v. students! … throw down resolved ;) … I am trying to secure 5 on-loan Spheros (from cuesteampunk) I’ve got 4 beebots, my own sphero & an ozo bot. Each will have a station/challenge. I’m also adding in a robot build kit station and a cardboard robot build station (for my youngest students to feel engaged) … I could see having a qixel station where students design Qixel robots! (Heck & why not a pixel press floors table, with grid print outs!! … Getting excited!! Would love this donation to the cause! Amber
Karen Ryan says
My kids& I would make presents for special ones for Xmas
Christine says
The kids and I were just talking about making some Christmas tree ornaments – I think Qixels would make some cute ones. Thanks too for your idea about using the computer to extend the activity – never thought of that before and I reckon my son would love the idea.
Kate - the craft train says
No wonder the boys were happy with them, they look great! This is exactly the kind of activity my kids adore, I don’t need to ask them what they’d create since every drawing and game at the moment has to do with shopkins! So it would be shopkin themed charms for sure *sigh*
Jacqui says
With Christmas approaching, I could see us using these to create Qixel self portraits to hang on our tree. Each year, we like to add decorations we’ve made and I always like one with a photo. Maybe a little Santa or elf and we can glue on our faces.
Such a big push with STEM in our schools at present, but I love how so many people add in the A. I also love how Qixels promote fine motor skills.
Michelle Reynolds says
We would love to make lots of Minions!
Madelaine State says
My kids would make a kitty straight away.
Christie-Childhood 101 says
I think we would have fun making animals – my two love animals!
JOY LANGE says
LOTS OF ANIMALS MADE I WOULD THINK
Kim Paul says
My daughter wants to make xmas trees, Santa Clause and reindeers for xmas
Trish says
Wow, these look cool! I wouldn’t mind having a crack… but i’m not sure I’d get much of a go if they hit our place. I love the templates you’ve made – so great! I reckon Mr 7 would be straight onto some kind of Minecraft bag-tag… Ms 5 would love to design her own something spesh – possibly including Pippi Longsocking, which we’ve just read. What an ace role model Pippi is for little kids… particularly girls. I reckon Pippi herself would be chuffed to be immortalised in Qixels!
Fiona kelly says
My little boy will draw dinasours or a minecraft man