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 participating in a craft activity held in July.
Challenge the stag beetle made of wood!
At the Hello Woods located within Mobility Resort Motegi, there are various activities where you can experience nature. This time, we participated in the "Crafting Beetles and Stag Beetles with Wood in the Forest" activity.
First, we gathered at the information counter of Hello Woods and then headed to a building called the Craft Workshop. Upon arrival, we listened to the staff's explanation and instructions, and started making our crafts.
First, decide whether to make a rhinoceros beetle or a stag beetle, and then choose the base part of the craft from various sizes of wood. These woods are collected from the Hello Woods forest, and depending on the size, color, and texture chosen, the atmosphere of the rhinoceros beetle or stag beetle to be made will also change, making it a very important point.
This time, I decided to make a rhinoceros beetle, so I chose a wood with a large size and a noticeable texture.
Once you have chosen the main body wood, use a saw to cut it to your desired size. When using a saw, remember to put more force when pulling and be gentle when pushing.
It can be quite difficult to cut straight without bending. If the wood is thick, it will require more strength, so it is best to have the help of not only children, but also mothers and fathers to proceed with the task!
Once you have cut the wood to your desired size, use a hatchet to split it in half. Depending on which direction you split the wood, the pattern of the bark will change, so take your time to carefully consider before cutting.
To use the hatchet, place the blade against the cut surface of the wood and gently tap it with a wooden mallet from above.
I was able to split it in half with a snap. Finally, we are halfway through making the kabutomushi!
Next, we will use an electric sander to smooth out the split surface of the wood. This electric sander requires careful handling as it can cause serious accidents, such as skin being scraped off if it comes into contact with your hand. Therefore, it is best to operate it with caution, especially when working with children. If you want to completely smooth out the surface, you can sand it for a long time. If you want to preserve the natural texture of the wood, you can lightly sand it. Adjust to your own preference.
Once you have polished it with an electric sander, you will then create the "legs" section. Choose small branches from the material storage area to use as legs, and cut them to your desired length with pruning shears. Then, drill holes and insert the branches. Since wood is a natural material, sometimes the holes may not fit perfectly even after drilling. It was quite difficult to insert each branch one by one! It is best to use tools such as pruning shears and electric drills carefully and work hard together as a parent and child.
Once you have inserted the legs and the final part resembling horns, it is complete!
From here, we will use a carving knife to draw patterns and finish them in our favorite design. In no time, we were able to complete the stag beetle within 90 minutes! I didn't expect to create it by cutting wood with a saw, so even as an adult, it was quite a challenge! I'm glad we were able to complete it somehow.
In this activity, you can learn how to use tools that you don't usually use, such as saws, hatchets, electric sanders, electric drills, carving knives, and pruning shears. Recently, there may have been fewer opportunities for children to learn how to use knives. However, by learning how to use these tools, they can feel various things such as "this is a good way to use it" or "this is dangerous to use," which can lead to many learning opportunities for children.
In addition, the wood used for crafting is collected from Hello Woods and carefully managed by dedicated staff, ensuring safety and peace of mind. I was able to feel the texture and color of the wood with my eyes and hands, and by feeling it with my skin, I was able to experience nature even more.
Furthermore, this activity can be enjoyed by parents and children together, making it a fun and engaging experience while having conversations. Some families who participate every year have mentioned that they have seen their children's growth, such as becoming better at using saws and becoming more efficient. These are also some of the charms of this activity.
There are many activities that families can enjoy together, and there are still more available.
If you are interested, please take a look at the activity page of Mobility Resort Motegi.
Click here for activity details >>
