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Five Toronto events to get you in the DIY spirit this week

When we were kids, summer was the time for endless do-it-yourself projects, from building forts outside and setting up lemonade stands, to tinkering with stuff in the garage and creating arts and crafts. It’s time to return to those DIY roots with a solid lineup of workshops, fundraisers and events happening this week that are sure to inspire.

Join thousands of makers at Maker Fest’s two-day extravaganza or learn to build a bike at Bike Day. Several arts and crafts events also include chances to meet other local artists. We’ve rounded up five of the most exciting events to get you in the DIY spirit.

So what are you waiting for? Get outside, get inspired and make something.

Birkdale Art in the Park

Creative inspiration takes over Scarborough’s Birkdale Park (1299 Ellesmere Road) on July 9 from 10 am to 4 pm. Presented by Scarborough Arts, the sixth-annual community event brings together diverse artists, artisans and musicians sharing original art, photography, crafts, handmade objects, performances and more. Attendees of all ages will have a chance to flex their own creative muscles at various arts and crafts stations across the park. The event is free and outdoors. See listing for more details.

Maker Extravaganza

The marquee event at Toronto’s month-long Maker Festival takes place over two days at the Reference Library (789 Yonge Street). On July 9 and 10, more than 100 local makers will showcase their creative projects to thousands of attendees. Meet Andrew Lamb, a maker artist who collaborated with the ROM to create a life-size dinosaur puppet called the Wandering Wendiceratops, and Robot Missions, who has been building a 3D printed robot to tackle shoreline cleanup. Gregory Phillips and Wendy Ng of Haute Filtrage, a wearable-tech project that combines augmented reality, digital manufacturing, 3D printing and textile design, will also be presenting their work. The Maker Extravaganza is free, although online registration is recommended. See listing for more details.

Arts & Artisans Market

Raine Network, a Toronto non-profit that supports young entrepreneurs and marginalized women, will host the Arts & Artisans Market at Artscape Youngplace (180 Shaw Street) on July 10. A number of workshops and an artists’ market will benefit Humanity Unified, which works with women farmers in Rwanda. Online registration is required for yoga and Bollywood dance workshops, and the artists’ market will be open from 10 am to 5 pm. See listing for more details.

Bike Day at Evergreen Brick Works

Celebrate life on two wheels during Bike Day at Evergreen Brick Works (500 Bayview Avenue) on July 10 from 10 am to 3 pm. Don River Valley Park hosts this all-ages event that features a mountain bike skills clinic, a build-a-bike workshop for kids, a bike obstacle course, family activities and guided trail rides through the Don River Valley Park. In the bike-building workshop, kids will learn how the mechanics of bicycles works by deconstructing and then rebuilding a bicycle from the frame up. See listing for more details.

Make Your Own Sunscreens

Karma Food Co-Op (739 Palmerston Avenue) will host a DIY sunscreen workshop on July 12 from 7 to 8:30 pm. Learn to make safe, all-natural sunscreen lotion from cocoa, shea butter or coconut oil and zinc oxide, a broad-spectrum SPF. The workshop is $10 suggested donation or pay-what-you-can. See listing for more details.

michelled@nowtoronto.com | @michdas

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