Starting a makerspace at home can be done with a little budget and with a little creativity and ingenuity. If you plan on using the space regularly and can find tools and materials for relatively cheap, then you can experience hands-on learning, engineering, and creative problem-solving at home.This blog has a handy list of basic, inexpensive tools and supplies that you can use to develop a flexible makerspace at your home for all sorts of projects and adventures.
1. Cardboard and Cardboard Tools (Makedo Starter Kit)
Best For: Building, prototyping, and creative construction
Cost: Makedo kits start around $20–$30; cardboard is often free
Why It’s Essential:
Cardboard has endless uses and can often be found for free (in your shipping boxes, packaging, and more)! The Makedo kit includes reusable plastic screws and tools and allows you to build, take apart, and rebuild without tape or glue! This system is safe for all ages and promotes sustainable practices because the system is all reusable: you can use it again and again to create something new! I have seen students build everything from castles to robots by building something and learning, and applying, principles of engineering and design. Using cardboard and Makedo tools allows students and teachers to open to possibilities and unleash their creativity!
2. Strawbees Building Kit
Best For: Engineering, robotics, and creative building
Cost: Basic kits start around $20
Why It’s Essential:
Strawbees kits are connectors and straws that interface with each other to make structures, machines and simple robots. The pieces are reusable and the simplified mechanics are easy to manage, making them suitable for active learning. Students can investigate shapes, motion and basic mechanics while advancing their problem solving skills and teamwork experiences. Strawbees are also compact, easily-stored and suitable for a wide range of ages and experience levels.
3. Basic Tool Set (Pliers, Wire Cutters, Screwdrivers)
Best For: Take-apart projects, electronics, and repairs
Cost: $10–$20 for a starter set
Why It’s Essential:
With a basic toolkit with a pair of needle-nose pliers, wire cutters, and deburring tools, students can safely take apart an old computer, a toy, and some appliances. They learn how things are constructed, the basic mechanics of items, and the circuitry, if any. It is always good practice to supervise young people and remove any electrical cords before starting take-apart projects.
4. Hot Glue Gun
Best For: Fast, strong bonding for crafts and prototypes
Cost: $5–$15
Why It’s Essential:
A hot glue gun is an efficient and inexpensive way to bond too many materials: cardboard, wood, plastic and fabric. It is easy enough for students of all ages to use (with supervision for younger makers) to create prototypes and creative projects fast and easy. The cost of awesome hot glue sticks is low and available everywhere - making it an important tool for any makerspace.
5. Recycled Materials (Plastic Containers, Jars, Tubes)
Best For: Eco-friendly projects and creative reuse
Cost: Free or very low cost
Why It’s Essential:
You can find plastic containers, glass jars, toilet paper tubes, egg cartons, and shoeboxes lying around the house at no cost. They're perfect for models, organizers, and art projects. Using recycled materials promotes sustainability and "creative problem solving," while removing costs.
6. Scissors, Markers, and Craft Supplies
Best For: Arts, crafts, and customizing projects
Cost: $5–$15 for a starter set
Why It’s Essential:
Basic craft equipment like scissors, markers, crayons, glue, etc. can be really useful in decorating, labeling and assembling a makerspace project. If nothing else, they provide students the tools to personalize their projects while refining their fine motor skills. Most of these can be gotten from a dollar store or in a reasonable craft kit.
7. Sam Labs STEAM Kit (Basic Electronics)
Best For: Introducing electronics and coding
Cost: Basic kits start around $50 (look for educational discounts)
Why It’s Essential:
They offer motors, lights, sensors and wireless blocks, and they plug into a computer or tablet. The students will write simple drag-and-drop code to create interactive projects - for example, alarms, vehicles, and smart devices. Sam Labs kits are suitable for elementary students, and they provide a simple hands-on entry level to electronics and programming.
8. Perler Beads (or Similar Craft Beads)
Best For: Creativity, pattern-making, and fine motor skills
Cost: $5–$15 for a starter set
Why It’s Essential:
Perler beads are little plastic beads that you can organize on pegboards. Once organized, the beads can be fused together with heat to make beautiful designs. This promotes patience, creativity, and fine-motor skill. Organizing the beads, or perler beads as they are called, becomes a very calming and rewarding way to deal with pattern making, and color theory. The final product looks nice and can be sunglasses or a wonderful present/decoration.
9. Simple Measuring Tools (Ruler, Tape Measure, Scale)
Best For: Math, engineering, and design projects
Cost: $5–$10
Why It’s Essential:
A ruler, tape measure, and small kitchen or postal scale allow students to practice measurement, estimation, and precision in relation to tools for their projects. They are useful for model building, planning, and learning about various units of measurement, and they are inexpensive tools you can use in many ways.
10. Basic Electronics Components (Batteries, LEDs, Wires)
Best For: Simple circuits and electronics experiments
Cost: $10–$20 for a starter kit
Why It’s Essential:
A basic electronics kit that includes batteries, LEDs, wire, and simple switches provides students with new experiences connecting circuits, incorporating lights into projects and the power of electricity. The basic electronics kit keeps students safe and enables beginners to access the wonderful world of electronics. Most of these inexpensive kits even have iterative step-by-step project instructions to quickly stimulate students' interest in making electronics.
Now that you have inexpensive equipment and resources, you are prepared to create an inspiring makerspace at home that promotes creativity, innovation, and experiential learning. Begin with small projects using available equipment or purchase equipment according to your budget and allow your creative imagination to guide and drive your projects. Building, coding, and creating open doors for our students to explore STEM and the arts while also developing essential skills for their future.
If you are a high school student pushing yourself to stand out in college applications, RISE Research offers a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities around the world.
Through personalized guidance and independent research projects that can lead to prestigious publications, RISE Research helps you build a standout academic profile and develop skills that set you apart. With flexible program dates and global accessibility, ambitious students can apply year-round. To learn more about eligibility, costs, and how to get started, visit RISE Research’s official website and take your college preparation to the next level!
Read More
