School is almost out for summer but that doesn’t mean that learning time is done. Summer gives us even more learning possibilities. We are big on projects around here as if you didn’t already know that. This month’s toys and games are fun projects that you can do with your littles. Don’t worry though, depending on their age and abilities, they can do a number of these with little to no help!
Don’t worry, we’re not here to brag about all of the fun we are having. We are here to share some of the fun. I’ve partnered up with two of my favorite blogs, The Mommy Factor and NYC Tech Mommy to give away a little summer learning fun. Read to the end to find out how to enter and what’s in the prize pack!
Craft Stick Creations – This is ideal for summer fun! It comes with ten STEM activities that are super fun. Can you float a boat? Do you know how to throw an exploding boomerang? These are two of the projects included. This is a great way to introduce concepts and ideas. JustaBXgirl is all about creating so this feels more like art to her than science!
Design & Drill ABCs & 123s – My nephew kept saying, “drill, drill” as he played with this. I knew I had him hooked. I’m the let’s learn titi, so when I can combine learning and fun it makes my heart smile. With my nephew about to head into pre-k this September, I’m looking for all the ways to get him interested in letters and numbers. JustaBXgirl is a “drill” sergeant too. She spells words out to help him recognize them as he drills the letters. I love that it gives her the practice and the experience to help others. Oh, and while the drilling is so much fun, it is educational too! Fine motor skills are the real thing that tiny littles should be focusing on and this allows them the space to do that while introducing academic concepts.
GeoSafari Fossil Excavation Kit – How better to study history than by uncovering it yourself?! This excavation kit comes with 8 real fossils and the tools needed to uncover them all! JustaBXgirl is excited to do this with a friend. It will be a multilayered lesson. We will be able to discuss where the fossils come from, study their time periods. They will practice taking turns and sharing. As an only child raising an only child, sharing is an interesting topic in our home. Remind me to share my thoughts on it with you one of these days. There is also eye hand coordination at work. With the weather warming up in NYC, we will be taking this outside to feel like real archeologists!
Coding Charms – JustaBXgirl has recently begun expressing interests in coding. I had tried to push her into it when she was younger and she would push back. A few toys would pull her in but as soon as she was done with them, she was done with the topic. The idea of fusing art and coding is just the thing to capture my child’s interest. I also love that this is a way to take coding OFFLINE. Our littles spend a lot of time on screens these days so any opportunity to get them to take a break and do something IRL is a win!
Paper Craft Fashion Parade – I am in love with these. They are ideal for travel because they fit in most bags. You just need to pack crayons or markers. They can be used to allow littles to express their creativity. Art is a really important class that many of our schools neglect. I adore having opportunities to let JustaBXgirl express herself. Perfect gift for fashionistas.
The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel 10th Birthday Edition – JustaBXgirl has loved this game for years. I want to say she was introduced to it by The Engineering Family on Youtube when she was still a toddler. It goes without saying that she was thrilled to have the special 10th birthday edition added to our game shelf. Color recognition, counting and fine motor skills are the lessons that come with playing the game. Outside of that, you can use it to discuss real life squirrels. Did you know that a squirrels front teeth never stop growing? Games are a perfect backdrop for conversation. I like introducing facts into our game time conversations for easier retention.
Spike the fine motor Hedgehog Sensory Tree House – I adore this toy for so many reasons. It is perfect for the tiny littles learning their numbers and colors. You can have them identify the hedgehogs by the numbers and colors found on them. They work wonderfully to work on textures with each one having a unique feel. You don’t need me for those lessons though. The one’s I’m here to make you think about are how these hedgehogs are a great way to begin discussing differences. They are all hedgehogs but each one is different. What does that mean for their community? For their family? There is room for free play and social emotional learning while observing how your littles play with the toys.
Contest rules: Leave a comment letting us know why you would love to win your own Summer Learning Prize Pack ($60 Value). Comment must be completed before other entry options are counted. NOTE that this giveaway is for a prize pack that includes 3 Learning Toys (total prize pack valued at $60)– includes (1) Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Kidscope Microscope for Kids STEM Toy, (1) Educational Insights PaperCraft Fashion Parade Paper Dolls, (1) hand2mind Dig & Display Fossil Dig Kit for Kids. This giveaway starts Monday, June 14th at midnight EST and ends Monday, July 5th at midnight EST. Entrants must be USA residents and at least 18 years old. One winner will be randomly selected by rafflecopter.com from all qualifying entries and contacted via the email they provide. The winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Good Luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
