Toy Mending Day

What you need

• a basket of toys and books that need a bit of help
• sticky tape
• a damp cloth and a bowl of soapy water
• a soft brush or an old toothbrush

How to do it

1. Hunt round the house together for toys and books that need mending: a torn page, a grubby teddy, a jigsaw with a piece hiding.
2. Set up a mending table and look at each one in turn: what's wrong, and how could we fix it?
3. Let your child do the jobs: tape the page, sponge the teddy's tummy, brush the mud off a car's wheels.
4. Line the mended things up and test each one: does the book open, does the car roll, is the jigsaw whole?

Why it matters

Fixing something they love gives them a reason to look closely, make a plan and keep at it until it works.

What they're learning

Finding the problem

Looking closely at what's wrong.

Making a plan

Tape for torn, cloth for grubby.

Sticking at it

Carrying on until it works.

What to look for

Notice them reaching for the tape or the cloth before you say which one.

A tip

Anything properly broken, sharp or with loose small parts is for you to deal with or throw away. Stay beside them while the water is out and tip it away when you finish.

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