Experience "Beetles and Stag Beetles Made of Forest Craft Wood" at Mobility Resort Motegi!
At Mobility Resort Motegi, various activities are available.
This time, we will share the experience of the craft activities that took place in July.
Challenge to make a beetle out of wood!
In the Hello Woods, located within Mobility Resort Motegi, there are various activities for experiencing nature, and this time I participated in "Crafting Beetles and Stag Beetles from Wood."
First, we gather at the information counter of Hello Woods and then head to the building called the Craft Workshop located deeper inside. Once we arrive, we listen to the staff's explanations and precautions, and then we start crafting right away.
First, decide whether to make a rhinoceros beetle or a stag beetle, and then choose the base part for the craft from various sizes of wood. These woods are collected from Hello Woods, and depending on the thickness, color, and texture of the selected wood, the atmosphere of the rhinoceros beetle or stag beetle you will create will also change, making it a very important point.
This time, I decided to make a rhinoceros beetle, so I chose wood that is thick and has a noticeable texture.
Once you have selected the wood for the body, cut it to your preferred size with a saw. The key is to apply force when pulling the saw and to be gentle when pushing it.
It can be quite challenging to cut straight without bending. If the wood is thick, more strength will be required, so it would be good to proceed with help from not only the children but also their mothers and fathers!
If you can cut the wood to the desired size for the body, the next step is to use a hatchet to split it in half. The direction in which you split it with the hatchet will also change the pattern of the wood's bark, so think carefully before making the cut.
You place the blade of the hatchet against the cut surface of the wood and gently tap it from above with a wooden mallet.
We were able to split it in half. Finally, we have completed half of the beetle-making process!
Next, we will polish the split surface of the wood with an electric sander until it is smooth. This electric sander requires careful attention when in use, as it can lead to serious accidents if it comes into contact with the skin. Therefore, it is advisable to operate it with caution, especially as a parent-child activity. If you want it to be completely smooth, you can sand it for a long time. If you want to keep some of the wood's texture, it's also fine to sand it just a little. Finish it to your preferred level of smoothness.
Once you have polished it nicely with the electric sander, the next step is to create the part that corresponds to the "legs." Choose small branches to use as legs from the material storage and cut them to your preferred length with pruning shears. After that, use an electric drill to make holes and insert the branches. Since the wood is natural, sometimes even if you drill a hole, it may not fit perfectly. It was quite challenging to insert each branch one by one! It is best to use tools like pruning shears and electric drills carefully, and work hard together as a parent and child.
Once you insert the legs and finally insert the part that corresponds to the horns, it is successfully completed!
From here, as an original element, we will use carving tools to draw patterns and finish it in our favorite design. Time flew by, and within 90 minutes, I was able to complete the beetle! I didn't expect to start by cutting wood with a saw, so even as an adult, it was quite a challenge! I'm glad I was able to finish it somehow.
In this activity, you can learn how to use tools that are not commonly used, such as saws, hatchets, electric sanders, electric drills, carving tools, and pruning shears. Recently, opportunities for children to learn how to use sharp tools in detail may have decreased. However, by learning how to use these tools, children can feel various things, such as "this is a good way to use it" and "this way is dangerous," which leads to many learnings for them.
In addition, the wood used for crafting is carefully managed by dedicated staff and collected from Hello Woods, ensuring safety and security. You can feel the texture and color of the wood through your eyes and hands, and experiencing it with your skin allows you to enjoy nature even more.
Furthermore, this activity can be participated in by parents and children together, making it enjoyable to engage in conversation while working. Among those who participate every year, some families mentioned that they felt their children had improved, saying things like, "They have become better at using a saw" and "Their skills have improved." These aspects can be considered part of the charm of this activity.
There are many more activities that parents and children can enjoy together.
If you're interested, please take a look at the activities page of Mobility Resort Motegi.
Click here for activity details >>
