Twirl's Annual Invent Event Goes Virtual!

Twirl's 6th Annual Invent Event was scheduled for the weekend of April 17th. This unique Taos maker faire, produced by Twirl in collaboration with 65 amazing community partners, gives kids and families rich opportunities to play, create and make together at 35+ hands-on stations. Many talented individuals share their expertise, skills and time at this event and it really does showcase our community at its creative and collaborative best. Sadly, we won't be convening 1,200 other people in a gymnasium any time soon, but that doesn't mean the show can't go on!
Join us this Friday 17 April from 2pm - 3:15pm on Facebook Live for some fun at home maker projects hosted by Nina, Liana and Amber and generously sponsored by Dimond Mortgage.
The line-up below includes suggested materials to have on hand if you'd like to follow along. But don't worry, all the projects will be available as videos on our Facebook page and Youtube channel after the live event for you to refer back to. Follow along and make, craft build and play with us!

Friday - April 17, 2020

2:00pm - Upcycled Cars with NinaSupplies: recycled container(bottle, tea or cracker box), kebob sticks, straws, bottle caps, something sharp to punch a hole with, decorative nicknacks

2:15pm - Marble Mazes with Liana
Supplies: cereal box or other cardboard box, objects to glue such as corks, bottle caps, scraps of cardboard, glue, marble, markers for decoration.

2:30pm - Pulleys for Preschoolers with Amber 
Rope, yarn or string, a fixed higher point & a bucket or container with a handle.

2:45pm - Chain Reactions with Liana
Dominos, balls, books, boxes, cardboard tubes, masking tape - anything you think could make a great chain reaction. Grab things as you go!

3:00pm - Button cars with Amber
2 twist ties, a clothes pin, 4 buttons of similar size, tape and scissors.

Developing a maker mindset is at the heart of Twirl's community outreach programs. Children are natural makers - give a young kid a cardboard box, and they'll think of myriad ways to put it to use. Making inspires curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and self-confidence. It allows kids to take control and become absorbed in the process, rather than the product. They learn to iterate and problem-solve rather than fixating on the right answer. It fosters resilience and adaptability, which not only prepares kids for a rapidly-changing workforce, but as we are witnessing today, a highly unpredictable world. 

How can you facilitate maker learning at home? Provide a space where it's ok for kids to be messy. At least for the time being. Hoard your recyclables - today's yogurt carton is only a few steps away from becoming tomorrow's robot! Have some basic supplies on hand like glue, markers, paper, scissors, tape (masking tape is perfect for most projects) and then scavenge for the rest. Everything around you is a potential material for making - from found objects in nature to that old jumper you were going to throw away. Buttons! Bottle caps! CDs! Remember those! Finally, step back and let your child take control, unless they want your help. Your helpful idea about the best way to do something might not match their own thinking - so if you have a better idea, make your own! Working alongside your child on projects is a great way to have fun and learn from each other at the same time.

You'll find some great kid maker sites on our Twirl Resources Page here.
We also have a bunch of fun Twirl@Home project ideas on our Activities Page 
that you can try using every day recyclables. 

These projects are part of a pamphlet of ideas that went into the first of our Twirl@Home Creativity Bags, along with some arts and craft supplies. These are going out this week to 200 students served by the Las Cumbres Nurturing Center at Enos Garcia. Thanks Siena, Andy and Connie for your help distributing them! And to Dimond Mortgage and Randall Lumber & Hardware for your generous sponsorship of the bag contents. Plus, a huge shout out to the Taos News for donating 200 newspapers to go with the bags, which feature fun ideas on what to do with a newspaper once you've finished reading it!

Twirl@Home Supplies Now Available
If you're running low on arts and craft supplies, or other items that support play and learning at home, Twirl is here to help. Email Laura at laura@twirltaos.org with your requests and she'll get back to you with options and pricing. Make sure to put Twirl@Home in the subject line of your email.

Twirl@Home Youtube Videos
Don't forget that our Twirl Taos Youtube channel will have new videos every week for you to play and create along with us at home.  Check out Liana's new video tutorial on how to sew your own face mask and see how Amber and her puppet friends were able to help the Cow Jump Over the Moon with a simple machine solution! 
Twirl's Covid-19 Resource List features an extensive list of websites providing more ideas on how you and your child can play, create, explore, discover and learn @ home as well as practical resources for parents.
Let's stay connected: Like our Facebook Page, Subscribe to our Youtube channel and Follow @twirleye on Instagram.

Online Classes
We now have classes 5 days a week on our Facebook Page at 11am. Join Twirl teachers as we play, sing and dance together from home! These classes are archived on our YoutubeChannel and Facebook page.