More Tools for Added Fun & Learning

There are plenty of things out there that are marketed as the must have thing for kids, homeschool parents, etc and I am here to help weed out the noise. There are so many things out there that it’s sometimes hard to decipher what is truly something that will aid in teaching my children skills and what is just a marketing ploy. Below I have added some items that, to some, may seem unnecessary but I will explain why I have added it. There are some things that add to the experience in unique ways without just adding to the clutter masses of toys that most people already have. And for that reason, most of the things on this list are for school only and are not a part of our toy rotation.

This scale is a really fun way to teach kids about weights and balance. There are multiple challenges and games to make it even more fun, and the best part is its durability - with 3 boys that is a must! I added this one to the list because when I was teaching Mr. Blue about weight and balancing I used a coat hanger and tied string with a bucket on each end and we guessed at how many of each object on each side would balance - which would weigh more/less. And while it worked for the purpose of what we were doing - since the items were inside of a bucket it was hard to visualize what was truly in there to estimate the weights and made it a little more challenging. While I am always up for things that are challenging, when it comes to introducing a new concept and teaching a principle, this just wasn’t the place for challenging.

Hape Monster Math Scale

These kits have been an INCREDIBLE asset to our learning experience - as I have said before my boys are hands on learners and it sometimes works best to do ‘unit studies’. We take something they are interested in and create our whole lesson plan around it. I have purchased quite a few that we haven’t used yet due to them being above the boys ages and abilities but I wanted to have them on hand for when it came time (and let’s be honest, if it’s on sale I’m going to snag it while I can). I have included these because while they aren’t technically necessary, they are so valuable to have for something different and fun that I personally didn’t have to come up with on the days that my creative brain has left the building. There are endless options but these are the ones we have.

Wonders of Learning Physics Box Set

This is one we have not opened up, but one I still wanted to have on hand.

Wonders of Learning Electricity and Magnetism

This is one we have used and it was cool to be able to see them figure out how to connect the device and get it to work.

Uncover the Human Body Book

This one isn’t a kit but another one I wanted to include for its hands on abilities. As you open each page to the different body systems there is a 3D model that can be deconstructed and rebuilt just by turning the pages. It really gives a good visual of how each system works in conjunction with another. We haven’t used this in depth yet, I have just used it when we were introducing then body systems but wanted the boys to have a good visual that wasn’t a flat picture.

Smithsonian Learning Adventures: Space

This one was super fun to do while we did a space unit. There is a poster with stickers of each of the planets and the boys were able to put the sticker on in the correct spot after learning about it. Once we had completely finished there are pieces to create a moon landing scene or pretend they landed on Mars and moved the rover about and they were able to free play with that.

These are another kit type that we use as an extra resource/time filler while I’m doing a lesson with a sibling. Again, not a necessity but are helpful to open up time for yourself to help another sibling and they’re still learning in the process with something that doesn’t take a lot of instruction from you. And both sets are STEM focused. The bridge one in particular comes with cards for specific designs to create or you can have your child/children free build and come up with their own designs. The robot set can really open up their imagination and creativity. They both are great sets for learning to work together.

Learning Resources Bridge Builders

Learning Resources Robots in Motion

As always - choose the items that are going to work for your kids’ types of learning and their interests. These are just things that have worked for my kids and our style of learning and teaching. But I hope this gives you the freedom to remember that how you choose to teach and how your kids learn doesn’t have to fit in a box. There are so many ways to learn without feeling stuck to the paper and pencil workbook routine. That can have its place for sure, but it’s not the only way. There’s more to learning and teaching than a set curriculum. I have found so much freedom once I realized that I don’t have to only stick to a lesson plan.

Happy teaching, friends - and it’s okay if your kids teach you things as well, we’re never too old to learn!

XOXO, mischief managing momma.

Oldest (1)- Mr. Blue

Middle (2) - Mr. Orange

Youngest (3) - Mr. Green