Primary
empathy, design thinking
Project Details
Theme
December | Product Design
Messy Level
1
Suggested Location
Class
Prep & Classroom Structure
Before class, create an Inventor Supply Shop by sorting recycled materials into bins so students can see their options without becoming overwhelmed. Pre-cut tape into strips and place it along table edges or dispensers; the source specifically suggests pre-cutting tape so students can grab it as needed.
For kindergarten, use the simplest planning sheet: students can choose the type of toy, identify materials, and draw a basic sketch rather than completing lots of writing. The resource notes that its first planning page is the version used with kindergarten students and that planning should happen before building. I’d also frame the process as: Imagine → Draw → Build → Test → Make It Better for the younger students.
A few practical prep suggestions:
Organize students into pairs or teams of 2–3.
Put paper, crayons, and pencils at each table for planning.
Limit each group to a reasonable number of building materials at first so they focus on design rather than collecting supplies.
Pre-cut difficult cardboard pieces for younger students.
Avoid showing a finished toy example before brainstorming; it can unintentionally narrow their ideas.
Have extra tape, pipe cleaners, cups, and cardboard ready for redesigns.
Reserve at least 5–10 minutes for testing and improving, not just building.
Create a display table labeled Toy Shop for the final showcase.
If time allows, have students make a small product card with toy name, who it is for, and what it does.
Materials
Cardboard
Toilet paper rolls
Pipe cleaners
Tape
Tissue paper
Newspaper
Straws
Plastic cups
Foam sheets
Egg cartons
Plastic lids
Optional classroom building toys or recycled materials
Project Instructions
Introduce the challenge: Santa needs a brand-new toy idea, and your classmates have been hired as toy inventors.
Explain that the toy should be something original, not simply a copy of a toy they already know.
Ask students to decide who the toy is for and what type of toy they want to create, such as a game, doll, art toy, or technology-inspired toy.
Have students brainstorm ideas before they begin building.
Ask each student or team to create a basic sketch and identify the materials they plan to use.
Review the plan with the students and help them identify designs that may be too complicated to build with the available materials.
Once the plan is ready, allow students to choose materials and build their toy prototype.
Test the toy by asking: Does it work the way you planned? Is it fun or useful? Does anything fall apart or need to change?
Have students redesign or improve their toy based on what happened during testing.
Finish with a short Toy Shop Showcase where students present their invention, explain who it is for, and describe what makes it special.
Optional: have students give the toy a name, set a pretend price, and create a simple advertisement or product description.