Family make it club - Weekend creativity

What is the Family Make It Club?

The Family Make It Club is more than just a space—it's a community-driven experience where families gather to share ideas, learn new skills, and bring their creative visions to life. Inspired by the collaborative energy of makerspaces, we provide all the tools, resources, and guidance needed for families to embark on making projects together. Best of all, it’s completely free, making it easy for everyone to join in and start creating. 

From Idea to Invention

Our journey began on the first Saturday of the Make It Club, where families identified daily annoyances and brainstormed inventive solutions. Ideas ranged from a self-filling dog bowl for busy pet owners to a realistic handbrake controller for racing game enthusiasts. Each family chose an invention that not only solved a problem in their own lives but also had the potential to help others. 

Following an exploratory session filled with digital design and fabrication training—covering skills like CAD, vector drawing, laser cutting, and 3D printing—families set off to turn their ideas into reality. 

Making Progress and Learning Along the Way

By the second Saturday, the tangible results of these creative endeavors began to take shape. Prototypes were built, including a first 3D printed version of the dog bowl and a spikey ball cover designed to withstand even the most enthusiastic canine companion. While not all prototypes were successful on the first try, the process of troubleshooting and persistence provided valuable lessons. For instance, adjustments had to be made to account for the humidity's effect on the 3D printing filament—a challenge unique to our subtropical Queensland climate. 

A Focus on Music and Inventions

On Saturday May 18, we're dialing up the creativity with a special focus on music production. Utilising resources like our state-of-the-art recording studio, iPads, and computers, 12 lucky family groups will participate in our exclusive Synth School session. But the innovation doesn't stop there! Families who have been developing their own inventions over the past two months are encouraged to continue their projects, using our digital fabrication tools to create and refine their designs. You can sign up for this FREE event here.  

At the Family Make It Club, every session is an opportunity to learn, create, and grow together. Whether it’s refining a prototype or picking up a new skill, our club is a testament to the power of community and creativity. Engage in hands-on making and maybe even start your own family project. Mums and Dads, aunties and uncles, and grandparents are all welcome. You can even organise a group from school! This series is for anyone with children between 8-12. We encourage this workshop to be child-led, but the use of all equipment will be supervised by their guardian. Keep an eye on The Edge e-newsletter and the SLQ What's On page for updates.