Meet Rohan Raman: The Mind Behind Tinkernauts
I started Tinkernauts because I realized my constant 'no' to my kids' curiosity was stifling it. Now, I help kids in Bengaluru turn that curiosity into confidence by building, breaking, and learning with real tools.
Tinkernauts began with a simple shift in my own parenting, from saying "no, don't touch that" to creating a space for my kids to say "yes, let's try." This image tells the story of how it all started.
For those who are new here, let me introduce myself. I'm Rohan Raman, co-founder of Tinkernauts, and this is a little bit about what we do and why we do it.
In this video, I share my vision for Tinkernauts: a safe space for kids to make, break, and learn life skills through hands-on doing. It's all about building confidence.
Someone asked me about the inspiration behind Tinkernauts. It came from my own kids and realizing the need for a space where children are encouraged to explore their curiosity safely.
Here I break down what Tinkernauts is all about. We are a space for kids to have fun, learn by making and breaking, and become thoughtful, confident DIYers.
There are many ways to be a part of the Tinkernauts journey. In this video, I explain our different offerings, from in-person summer classes and school programs to our DIY kits.
Welcome to my Tinker Den! In this studio tour, I'll show you where the magic happens, from our 3D printing station and PC building corner to our bike and scooter engine repair area.
About this collection
When I hand a screwdriver to a seven-year-old, I'm not just teaching them how to turn a screw. I'm helping them understand that things are not magic, they are built by people, and they can be taken apart by people, too. In our studio in Langford Town, we don't use plastic toy kits. We use the same drills, glue guns, and soldering irons you’d find in a professional workshop. My goal isn't to create perfect products, but to create resilient, curious kids who aren't afraid of the messy middle of any project.
I spent a lot of time as a parent saying 'no'—no to the mess, no to taking apart the remote, no to the potential damage. But one day, I realized those 'no's were actually shutting down my children's most valuable asset: their curiosity. Tinkernauts was born from that realization. I wanted to build a place where the answer is 'yes.'
Fundamental to our approach is the 'real tool' philosophy. We don't believe in plastic imitations or dumbed-down toys. When a child learns to use a wire stripper or a hot glue gun, they aren't just completing a craft; they are learning physics, mechanics, and, more importantly, failure management.
We operate on a 'build, break, fix' cycle. In our workshops in Bengaluru, whether we are disassembling a bicycle or soldering a circuit, the focus is never on the perfection of the final output. The focus is on the process. We encourage kids to look at a piece of e-waste and see the potential for a new creation.
By partnering with schools like Mallya Aditi and Stonehill, we are integrating this maker mindset into the actual school day, proving that STEM education doesn't have to be limited to textbooks. It can be messy, loud, and incredibly rewarding. If you want your child to stop being a passive consumer and start becoming a maker, this is the space for it.
Tinkernauts
I’m a big believer that kids learn more from one broken toy they’ve tried to fix than from ten hours of screen time. My focus is entirely on getting them comfortable with real tools and letting them experiment in a safe, guided space here in Bengaluru.
Looking for something specific?
Explore our different tinkering programs and kits.
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