Doorknobs are one of those things that we see and use every day, but rarely stop to think about. The mechanics of a doorknob are actually pretty interesting, so when we replaced a door Mike decided it was a good learning opportunity.
The kids enjoyed dissecting the doorknob and seeing how the two knobs connected to each other. Then they decided to see what they could build with the components:
Johnny was especially proud of this “robot” that he built. It was a robot full of personality!
What things have you taken apart recently?
MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
I love understanding the science of the everyday! This is so fun.
Thanks, Anne! My kids really enjoyed this!
I just love that your kids get to take apart things. I really need to suggest this idea to my husband…
We have a cheap faucet we bought when we lead some cub scouts. We taught them how to take it apart and check for leaks (I don’t think the facilities manager would have been so happy with us taking apart one in their restroom). I think it was one of the boys’ favorite lessons.
My kids would love to take apart a faucet!
Good question! Hmmm, my daughter wants to plumb her toy kitchen but it is just in the planning stages : )
That sounds like a fantastic project!
You guys do the coolest things. I would have never thought to do that – what fun – I love Johnny’s robot!
I thought the robot was pretty cute :)
What great hands-on learning! Things around our house are always in transition and the children have the freedom to explore and learn.
I think it’s the best way to learn!
This is a really great idea. My son loves to “help” when anything needs fixed around the house, but I need to do better about letting him explore and learn the mechanics of what is going on!
Awesome learning opportunity! When I first read the title, I thought about testing doorknobs to see what germs are present; that must be due to the fact that I have four sick kids and I am constantly disinfecting doorknobs right now!
We need to do that! I hope everyone in your house is healthy soon!
We did that recently with a computer and the kids thought it was the coolest thing.
Computers are very cool to take apart!
We enjoyed seeing the layers in our plaster ceiling when we had attic access put in, but I can’t think of anything mechanical we’ve taken apart recently… Now I’m curious what’s going on inside our doorknobs! :)
The layers of a plaster ceiling would be fascinating!
I love how you guys take so many moments as a learning opportunity. I bet that was cool for the kids to see the inner workings of a door knob.
How neat! We actually have a brand new door knob which we bought thinking we need one. Apparently we didn’t and it is just gathering dust in one of the suitcases. We should try that!!!
It’s pretty cool!
Did you have extra door knobs or did you need to put them back together again? I love your hands on science idea!
This was extra after we replaced a door, which made it easier to let the kids do what they wanted with it!
Cool! I’m looking forward to doing more of this sort of things as the kiddo gets a bit older.
Fun! We take apart anything that has recently broken – as long as their won’t be in phantom power remaining in it! The last thing we did was a broken blender: http://www.creativefamilymoments.com/reverse-engineering/