Junk Modelling is basically taking your discarded household rubbish that would normally be headed for the recycling bin and sticking it together to make something new. Children not only seem to really enjoy this activity but they learn a lot too. For example, they have to decide the best way to stick things together, that it is better to have the larger, heavier boxes at the bottom and that tall thin tubes have a tendency to topple over if you put boxes on top of them. They also learn about different textures and shapes.

Making something out of nothing
Little ones can use their imagination to make a whole variety of things from robots to space rockets and garages to castles. They may not look like these things to you or anyone else for that matter but, to the child who has created them, they could not possibly be mistaken for anything else. It is extraordinary how much value they can attach to these creations. So before you rush out and spend a fortune on 'Tracy Island' why not suggest that you make your own. You never know, it might just work!

What you'll need

1. Before you start you'll have to collect a selection of cardboard and plastic packaging from your household groceries. You'll need things like cereal boxes, loo roll and kitchen towel tubes, yoghurt pots, lids, egg boxes, boxes and packaging of all shapes and sizes. Also useful for adding detail are lolly sticks, bits of wool, shredded paper used for packaging, bubble wrap, old buttons, plastic spoons, cotton reels, foil cases from pies and tarts, polystyrene trays from food packaging, discarded wrapping paper etc.
   It's a good idea to keep a bag or a box handy in or near the kitchen to pop all these bits and pieces in.
2. Glue, either paper glue or PVA.
3. Sellotape, parcel tape, etc.
4. Scissors.

What to do

• It's probably a good idea to cover up surfaces with newspaper and children with overalls, as they tend to use copious amounts of glue that seems to go everywhere. You can either leave the children to decide what they'd like to make themselves, or you could give them a theme like "let's try and make a space rocket." From this point on it's really up to the children to decide which materials they want to use and how to stick them together.
• Try not to interfere and let them work things out on their own. However you could get more educational value from the activity by talking to them about the different shapes they are using, and the various textures of the materials.
• You'll probably find that most children are rather impatient and won't give the glue enough time to form a bond before wanting to stick on something else. As a result their models will frequently fall apart as they are being made. Suggest they use tape to keep things in place. Help them if they need a bit of assistance getting the tape off the roll. Give lots of encouragement and only help if they ask you to.
• When the model is finished to the child's satisfaction, you could always extend the activity by getting the paints out and letting them add a bit of colour. Let the glue on the model dry thoroughly first, and even then be aware that parts of it will be fairly fragile.
• One final word - unless you want a very cross child on your hands, don't throw their creations away until they've really lost interest in them and won't miss them.