Using a low temp glue gun with your child

Last fall, I picked up a couple of low temp hot glue guns at a thrift shop, and I’ve been just itching to let the hooligans try them.  I’ve even had a project in mind for the first time that they use them: Toilet Roll Structures!   Today, because we were being blasted with the snow storm of the year (or perhaps the decade), there were only 2 children here:  a one year old, and a 3 year old, so I figured it was the perfect day to go for it!

I’d actually hadn’t used a low temperature glue gun before, and never would have thought to let the daycare children use them if it hadn’t been for Teacher Tom’s post about his frustrations with white glue, and how low temp glue guns were life-changing for his students.

A little tip to prevent burns:

Keep a bowl of ice water nearby.  If necessary, you can quickly dip your hand or fingers into the water to cool things off.

The project:

I started by talking to the little man about how the glue gun worked, and warned him that the tip, and the glue would  be hot.  While it was still cool, he tried holding it and squeezing the trigger.  Then I plugged it in, and I demonstrated gluing a couple of pieces of scrap cardboard together, and I turned the reins over to him.

I cut several cardboard tubes into halves and thirds.  Now, if any of you have a problem with toilet roll tubes being used for crafting purposes, go and grab a tube from a roll of paper-towel or wrapping paper instead.

When I gave the cardboard pieces to the little guy, I told him his job was to glue them together, however he wished.  He worked away, without assistance for quite a while, until he’d used every last tube, and then he declared in a voice rather filled with surprise: ”I made a PYRAMID!“

You know what, buddy?

You sure did.

I think we need to make a whole bunch of pyramids and hang them from the playroom ceiling.  Coloured pyramids!

 I can’t wait to introduce the rest of the hooligans to the glue guns next week!