Ptarmigan Play Lab
Playing with Purpose
Nurturing Creativity Through Hands-On Learning
At BBBSD, our early childhood fabrication play lab is a vibrant time where young minds are encouraged to explore and innovate. By integrating cultural curriculum with hands-on activities, we foster a love for learning and creativity. Our lab time is designed to inspire curiosity and develop critical thinking skills, laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Students connect with the land, learn from community knowledge holders, and practice valuable critical thinking as they design, create, and share their learning.
We have used these resources as a center in the classroom, a specialized time outside of the classroom, and during family events. How can you use them in your program?
Engage in a Playful Process
1. Exploration & Inspiration
Children begin by exploring the world around them and connecting fabrication projects to lived experiences and cultural knowledge (ideas include visiting museums, walking the land, harvesting, viewing artifacts, and listening to elders).
2. Designing & Planning
Children imagine what they want to create and make a simple plan to guide their work (drawing, storytelling, sketching, choosing materials).
3. Making & Fabrication
Children bring their ideas to life through hands-on building with safe tools and processes (cutting, printing, assembling, resin casting). Prototyping at this stage can be recurring as ideas are tried and improved upon.
4. Iteration & Problem Solving
Children test and adjust their projects as they go, learning persistence and flexibility (fixing mistakes, trying alternatives, making improvements).
5. Sharing & Storytelling
Children share their creations with others to build pride, confidence, and connection (presenting to peers, explaining to families, displaying work).
6. Reflection & Documentation
Children think about what they learned and document their experiences. (journaling, drawing, photo documentation, group discussion).
Recycling & Art Creation
Play Dough & Sculpting
Learning & Designing Tools
Traditional Foods Resin Work
Family STEM Literacy Bags
Family literacy bags include one informational book, one story rooted in Alaska or northern Indigenous themes, and a set of custom-developed cards featuring a STEM project.
Painting & Color Theory
Drawing Video Series
Our drawing video series guides students through creative exercises that strengthen concentration, fine motor skills, and hand–eye coordination. By practicing careful observation and steady control, children build the foundational skills they need for more complex fabrication play lab projects—where focus, precision, and creativity come together in hands-on making. These drawing practices also prepare students for the Design stage, giving them confidence in sketching, planning, and visualizing ideas before they begin to build. Videos were developed by our art teacher. Quyana, Mrs. Mia!
Click on the below link to see over 60 videos!
Capturing Creativity in Action
Fabrication Lab Highlights
Have an idea for a project?
Have a project concept, resource suggestion, lesson idea, or collaboration in mind? We’d love to hear it. Please use the contact form linked below to share your idea—our team reviews every submission and will follow up if it’s a fit for students and classrooms.
