STEM Learning

5 DIY Ways to Keep Your Kid's Brain Active at Home

June / 2017

Looking for fun ways to keep kids’ brains active at home this summer? Check out our list of ideas!

Make Kitchen Time, Learning Time

Learning how to cook is a valuable skill for many reasons, but engaging your kids in the kitchen can have STEM benefits as well!

Cooking teaches children how to follow a formula, learn math skills (especially if you’re halving or doubling a recipe), and experiment with science! Also, cooking is a type of chemistry. Children can learn about different chemical reactions and how different ingredients interact with one another.  

For more ideas on how to add math games in the kitchen, click here.

Get Buggy with It

During the summer, you’ll most likely notice an increase in the bug activity near your home. You can take advantage of this and use it as a way to engage your children in active learning. Make a plastic critter jar, bug zoo, or “bug in”, and work with your children to identify the bugs and their place in our ecosystem!  

Keep Time Online Brain-Stimulating

Even though the weather is nice, your kids might want to spend time on electronics. If they do, make this time count and help them keep their brains active by:

Feel the Music

Did you know that studies have shown that children who play instruments are able to complete complex mathematical problems better than peers who do not play instruments? It’s true! At some level “all music is math”, because music is composed of “time signatures, beats per minute, and formulaic progressions”.

Build your child's love of music by creating fun, DIY instruments at home. Or, encourage your children to find a musical instrument that engages them, and see if you can find a local teacher or online resources to allow them to grow this skill.

Play Brain-Stimulating Games

Physical games are a great way to unplug from technological learning and engage in some fun family time that also has proven benefits.

For instance, Blocks Rock! Has been scientifically proven to build the skill of mental rotation, which is critical in STEM development. You can also create your own math game at home just using paper, watercolors, and scissors