MmmTsss: DIY Sound Looping Software

July 24, 2012 by Leave a comment

Kid - Makers, do you want to make some noise but don’t know how to play an instrument?

If you answered YES, may we suggest MmmTsss. 

Don’t exactly know how to pronounce it? Just sound it out slowly, MMM - T –  SSS.   Yes, now repeat it a couple of times, MMMTSSS, MMMTSSS, MMMTSSS. Can you go any faster?  You should sound like you are laying down the beat of a hip hop song!

Developed by the MIT Media Lab, MmmTsss, is free software to make sounds loop, or play over and over again.  All you need is a computer and a microphone.  Sure, it will sound silly at first, but you can layer so many different sounds, in an endless repeat.  You’ll be beat boxing in no time!

Check it out.

To share your experience, or to tell us about musical projects you’d like to learn, email us at  info@makeshopshow.com. 

© 2012 Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh

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Upcycle Your Flip Flops

July 13, 2012 by Leave a comment

Kid-makers, we know you like redesigning things to suit your own style … AND you love to be good to the earth. Check out these simple instructions for how to create your own custom sandals from the soles of old or broken flip flops!

Click here to braid your own flip flop straps!

Start by cutting the thong off and removing the ends from the base to start your new flip flops with just the rubber sole. (You’ll want to ask an adult for help with this part, since it requires a sharp blade.)

  • DIY Sandals from BurdaStyle: We love these great photos and step-by-steps for making new straps. Keep scrolling for a 2nd lesson in Friendship Bracelet flip flops!
  • Sandals from an old t-shirt from Etsy’s How-Tuesday blog: What can’t you make out of an old t-shirt?!
  • “Knot So Hard” (get it?) fabric flip flops from The Mother Huddle: These are super cute, girl makers!
  • Braided strap sandals by make it and love it: If you know how to braid, you can make these very simply.

You can also combine this idea with …

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Monkey Cupcakes (with DIY Icing Bag)

July 9, 2012 by 3 Comments

Learn to make a cake decorator’s icing bag with simple things from home, then join kid-maker Kristin and baker Chris to decorate monkey cupcakes with all kinds of silly, creative toppings!

As always, we don’t just inspire you to make – we give you the tips you need to do it yourself, kid-makers!

Click below for instructions and recipes …

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Vegetable Instruments

July 6, 2012 by Leave a comment

Image: Nils Jorgensen/Rex Features

Kid-makers, you are never going to believe this. There is a whole entire orchestra that performs music on VEGETABLES. Check out this video , showing the musical makers of the Vienna Vegetable Orchestra choosing their veggies at the market, drilling carrots and radishes to build their instruments, then performing live in a concert hall. Did you know that you could just pull a veggie out of the fridge and make a clarinet, drum or kazoo? This is The MAKESHOP™ Show, so of course we’ll show you how!

Below are videos and instructions to make your own vegetable instruments …

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Backyard Bike Wash

June 29, 2012 by 3 Comments

AP Photo/The Enquirer/Ernest Coleman

This photo of a DIY bike wash at A Child’s Garden pre-school in Covedale, Ohio, has been posted and reposted across the internet - folks just love this cool idea! But how would you MAKE it?

Okay, kid-makers, get started on your own Backyard Bike Wash with this basic Instructable for a “KidWash” sprinkler arch. For a second, more advanced version that uses misters, click here. This project costs less than $10 to build.

Once you’ve built the basic arch, it’s time to get creative! Imagine the familiar elements of a car wash – sponges, hanging strips and water coming from different angles. You can use sponges from home or pick up some at your local dollar store. For strips, we recommend flagging tape (which you can find in different colors at any hardware store) because it is waterproof and will hang softly for riding through. But you could also use wrapping paper ribbon, jump ropes or cut strips from an old tarp.

Put the finishing touch on your Backyard Bike Wash with an official sign at the entrance and invite your friends over for hours of clean, cool fun! Check out our other fun ideas for backyard summer fun: Water Bottle Sprinkler and Homemade Water Slide.

*SAFETY NOTE: An adult helper is important for this project because of some of the tools involved (a saw and a power drill) and for safety supervision of your build. Protect the grass with tarps or build your bike wash on a patio to prevent a mud puddle beneath …. unless that’s exactly what you want! (Oh, we know you, kid-makers!)

© 2012 Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh

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Hula Hoop Rag Rug

June 23, 2012 by Leave a comment

Hula Hoop Rag Rug. Click here to learn how to make one from Disney FamilyFun!

Here at THE MAKESHOP SHOW™, kid-makers are always telling us how much they love making things out of simple stuff they already have at home. So we couldn’t wait to show share this great project for you to try!

Create your own giant rug out of old t-shirts and your favorite hula hoop with these simple instructions from Disney’s FamilyFun Magazine. Click here to learn how.

We found other ideas for this project over at the blog Sisters Guild, like stitching multiple rugs together, or using a rectangular frame for a rectangular rug! They suggest using hula hoop rag rugs for easy picnics, play mats or spots to kneel on while gardening. Click here to read more. We also think a rug could be a great gift for a birthday, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day!

Get weaving, kid-makers, and don’t forget that we love to see what you’ve made. Send us notes and photos at info@makeshopshow.com. Stay calm and make on!

© 2012 Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh

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Calling All Kid-Makers!

June 23, 2012 by Leave a comment

Check out the new video call for makers for Pittsburgh Mini Maker Faire. It’ll give you a sneak peek at the Faire coming this fall on Sept. 22nd and hopefully inspire YOU to apply to show off your maker skills! The deadline for Round I ends June 30th, so click here to learn more about being an exhibiting maker.

© 2012 Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh

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