Ideas for at Home
We’ve made quite the list of activities, so skip right down to your areas of interest!
Education for Kids
Keeping up with the kids, work, and home is a challenge, here are a few ideas to help keep them busy with learning!
Maker Ideas
3 Weeks of Making Ideas:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T4CZCt8hJqYLVT5ZVYpR7SgHLWDWaaUO/view?fbclid=IwAR2FFtyXTUfwctZlA2K1vIslDOaD74vucbhFcdUe_A503NG5kZUjkU6TuU4
STEM Activities
http://clearinghouse.starnetlibraries.org/
Virtual Tours
Over 30 Virtual Field Trips including zoos, farms, the Louvre and more https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SvIdgTx9djKO6SjyvPDsoGlkgE3iExmi3qh2KRRku_w/edit?fbclid=IwAR2GIMwveZXD0Fd5M4sEXy4zIU2gsyupr9bIvBlMANbA13-FIzyf_SrBWGg
Coding
Hour of Code:
https://code.org/learn
List of online coding programs:
https://mommypoppins.com/coding-kids-free-websites-teach-learn-programming
For the Future at Cruces Creatives:
Events: STEAM Team (new registration opens in the fall)
Events: Summer Youth Maker Days (details to be released at a later date)
Events: Disassembly Days
Garden and Plants
This is a great time to start some seedlings, plant trees, and begin planning for a garden. Did you know if you have some old tomatoes you can try sprouting some of the seeds? Growing some food and getting sunshine can be awesome.
Vegetable Gardening for Beginners
https://www.almanac.com/vegetable-gardening-for-beginners
New Mexico State University Horticulture Publications
https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/
For the Future at Cruces Creatives:
Events: Plant Share
Events: Seed Share
Tools: Build window boxes, container gardens and more in our Wood Shop
Sewing & Knitting Projects
A little extra quiet time might be just what you need to get going. If you have extra supplies at home, this could be a wonderful moment to start a blanket for an upcoming grandchild, or a loved one far away—or, if you’re waiting till Cruces Creatives re-opens to access machines, it can be a great time to do research to decide what projects you’ll want to do next.
150 Easy Sewing Projects
https://www.sewmyplace.com/project/150-sewing-projects
Free Patterns and Tutorials for Sewing
https://www.allfreesewing.com/
Free Knitting Patterns
https://www.allfreeknitting.com/
For the Future at Cruces Creatives:
Events: Fiber Arts Fridays
Events: Charitable Crafting
Tools: Use our Textile Room, filled with over a dozen different textile machines and lots of available fabric, to make your projects.
Wood Shop Projects
Likely, you’ll be waiting till Cruces Creatives re-opens to start building, but this is a great time to decide on ideas and make your plan. Is there a space in the house where you’ve always wanted a custom piece of furniture? Take your measurements now, plan out your material list, and come ready to build!
Planning
How to Make a Cut List like a Pro
https://www.woodcraft.com/blog_entries/a-pro-s-guide-to-cut-lists
Bill of Materials and Cut List
https://www.woodbin.com/ref/project-design-and-planning/bill-of-materials/
Plan of Procedure
http://www.woodbin.com/ref/project-design-and-planning/plan-of-procedure/
Wood Shop Ideas
31 Indoor Woodworking Projects:
https://www.familyhandyman.com/woodworking/projects/31-indoor-woodworking-projects-to-do-this-winter/
Rockler Free Woodworking Plans
https://www.rockler.com/free-woodworking-plans
For the Future at Cruces Creatives:
Events: Basic Wood Shop Safety Training
Tools: Use our full wood shop, along with a hefty supply of spare wood, to make your projects.
Starting a New Business
With less commuting time and more time at home, maybe this is just the push you’ve needed to start that new business. If you’re making a product-based business you might need to hold off on building stock if you need one of our tools, but in the meantime, you can start your business plan and run financial numbers to make sure everything adds up.
For NMSU students and recent graduates
Studio G, Business Accelerator program (including online education resources)
https://arrowheadcenter.nmsu.edu/program/studio-g/
Write a Business Plan
https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/write-your-business-plan
Steps for starting a business in New Mexico
https://financenewmexico.org/steps-to-starting-a-business/
For the Future at Cruces Creatives:
Tools: The entire makerspace has opportunities for your ideas. The laser cutter, wood shop, and textile room may be good places to start.
Tools: Our multi-purpose rooms make a great place to work
Tools: Use our photography studio to take great photos of your product
Tools: Use our audio recording equipment to make marketing materials
Tools: Use our vinyl cutters to make custom stickers
Tools: Use our Textile Room and Wood Shop to make custom displays
Tools: Use our Electronics room to laser cut custom signage and light it up with our soldering equipment.
