Toy’s Anatomy

What can I use if I don't have safety goggles, a tray, or a magnifying glass?

If you don't have safety goggles or a magnifying glass, wear adult safety glasses or make a cardboard eye shield for the step "Put on your safety goggles" and use a shallow baking tray or muffin tin instead of the tray to hold screws during "Put all screws and small loose parts into the tray".

My toy won't work after reassembly—what should I check?

If the toy doesn't work after "Put the batteries back in and turn the toy on", reopen it with an adult and use your drawing from "Draw the inside layout" to confirm the motor gears and circuit board are seated correctly, battery contacts are clean and batteries are inserted the right way, and no wires were pinched when you "Carefully separate the toy halves".

How can I adapt this activity for different ages?

For ages 3–6 have an adult remove screws and let the child do steps like "Use the flashlight or magnifying glass" and "Draw the inside layout" with crayons, for 7–10 let them help with the screwdriver under supervision and label parts in "Label the motor gears and circuit parts", and for 11+ encourage independent disassembly, circuit inspection, and explaining in step "Tell your adult how you think the batteries make the motor turn the gears".

How can we extend or personalize the activity once it's done?

Turn your labeled drawing into a repair guide, decorate or repaint the toy shell after reassembly, test different battery types to compare runtime in "Put the batteries back in and turn the toy on", or design and 3D-print a replacement gear if you found a damaged motor gear during inspection.