The Grumble Buster

This project is designed to polish up your inventing skills whilst taking some of the grumbles and groans out of family life.

The aim is to make a simple machine or tool to help a parent or carer in their work (at home or elsewhere) so that they can do their job more easily, quickly or enjoyably – and therefore have less to grumble about.

You will need:

• One volunteer parent or carer, the grumpier the better
• Pencil and paper to make notes and sketch your ideas
• A range of household materials, such as paper, wood, glue, tape, fabric, string, sticks, pieces of wood; whatever you can get your hands on…

Step 1

Start by asking your volunteer to sit down and talk to you about the aspects of their job they most dislike. Try to get them to give you a list of problems to think about (e.g. boring bus journey, sticky keyboard, yucky canteen food, laddering their tights on that bumpy bit under their desk…)

Step 2

Choose one problem that you think you could solve for them – e.g. by making a task easier, quicker or more fun.

Step 3

Sketch your idea and make a model of it using everyday materials.

Step 4

When it’s ready, unveil your Grumble-buster and present it to the person you made it for. Talk it through and persuade them to try it. They may even suggest some changes that would improve it, and you’re bound to get lots of ‘brownie points’ for being so thoughtful.