
One of the beautiful things about education, is that (beyond teaching the basic skills: reading, writing and arithmetic) it has the potential to cover such a broad scope of material that it can spark a young person’s interest and send them on a new course you never imagined they would explore. What if your child is the next Jacques Cousteau, Jane Goodall, Thurgood Marshall, Lois Lowry, or Yo-Yo Ma?
What world awaits the young curious minds in your house?
Here are some educational activities for you to explore as a family:
Field Trips:
1. Go to an event at your local library. Our local library hosts everything from writing workshops to jewelry making, and 3d printing to robot construction. These events are in addition to regular storytimes and guest speakers.
2. Visit a local university’s campus. Oftentimes they have affordable (and many free) culturally enriching events and exhibits in addition to sports offerings. Plus it's a good way to show your child that you believe that they could go to college one day if he or she desires and works hard.
3. Check out your local science and nature center or museum. Many have planetariums in addition to forestry or coastal exhibits.
4. See how something is made. Is there a local manufacturer, farm, or food processing plant that gives tours? Why not check them out? We have enjoyed seeing ice cream being made and packaged as well as donuts. We have seen organic farming in action and have seen bread made and tasted it fresh from the oven. It’s all very fascinating.
5. Go camping at least once. This experience offers an educational opportunity unlike any other.
Make something together:
1. Grab a canvas, or two, from the local art supply or hobby shop and see what you can do.
2. Build bottle rockets.
3. Make a solar oven
4. How building about a robot or two?
5. Let your kids make a movie and assign a role for each family member.
5. Grow a garden and enjoy the fruit of your labor together.
7. Knit or sew at least one article of clothing
8. Make some jam or jelly
The possibilities are endless…
Play games:
1. Enjoy Life or Monopoly
2. Build deductive reasoning skills with Headbandz, Clue, or Guess Who?
3. Help your child cultivate vocabulary and good spelling habits with Quiddler, Balderdash, Scrabble, Boggle or Apples to Apples.
4. Get brainey with Professor Noggin's Trivia Games
5. Travel across the U.S. or even around the world with the Scrambled States of America game or a Geopuzzle
Stimulate the senses:
1. Use educational coloring books
2. Listen to audio books
3. Cook foods that are relevant to a particular time or place.
4. Watch age appropriate documentaries
5. Help your child dress up like a famous person from a different time or place
We hope these extension activities inspire you to enjoy learning with your kids!
What world awaits the young curious minds in your house?
Here are some educational activities for you to explore as a family:
Field Trips:
1. Go to an event at your local library. Our local library hosts everything from writing workshops to jewelry making, and 3d printing to robot construction. These events are in addition to regular storytimes and guest speakers.
2. Visit a local university’s campus. Oftentimes they have affordable (and many free) culturally enriching events and exhibits in addition to sports offerings. Plus it's a good way to show your child that you believe that they could go to college one day if he or she desires and works hard.
3. Check out your local science and nature center or museum. Many have planetariums in addition to forestry or coastal exhibits.
4. See how something is made. Is there a local manufacturer, farm, or food processing plant that gives tours? Why not check them out? We have enjoyed seeing ice cream being made and packaged as well as donuts. We have seen organic farming in action and have seen bread made and tasted it fresh from the oven. It’s all very fascinating.
5. Go camping at least once. This experience offers an educational opportunity unlike any other.
Make something together:
1. Grab a canvas, or two, from the local art supply or hobby shop and see what you can do.
2. Build bottle rockets.
3. Make a solar oven
4. How building about a robot or two?
5. Let your kids make a movie and assign a role for each family member.
5. Grow a garden and enjoy the fruit of your labor together.
7. Knit or sew at least one article of clothing
8. Make some jam or jelly
The possibilities are endless…
Play games:
1. Enjoy Life or Monopoly
2. Build deductive reasoning skills with Headbandz, Clue, or Guess Who?
3. Help your child cultivate vocabulary and good spelling habits with Quiddler, Balderdash, Scrabble, Boggle or Apples to Apples.
4. Get brainey with Professor Noggin's Trivia Games
5. Travel across the U.S. or even around the world with the Scrambled States of America game or a Geopuzzle
Stimulate the senses:
1. Use educational coloring books
2. Listen to audio books
3. Cook foods that are relevant to a particular time or place.
4. Watch age appropriate documentaries
5. Help your child dress up like a famous person from a different time or place
We hope these extension activities inspire you to enjoy learning with your kids!