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Summer is here, and it’s the perfect time for children to explore, learn, and grow. As days become longer and the need for indoor activities decreases, we’re turning our attention to sensory play and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities that can be enjoyed in the great outdoors. These activities not only keep children entertained but also stimulate their intellectual growth and development.Let's dive into some fun and educational activities that blend sensory play and STEM learning, perfect for a summer full of fun!
1. Nature Scavenger Hunt:
Take learning outdoors with a nature scavenger hunt. Create a list of natural items for your child to find and let the hunt begin. This activity not only encourages exploration but also sharpens observation skills, fostering scientific thinking.
2. DIY Sun Dial:
Image Courtesy : wildsight.ca
Teach your child about the position of the sun and how it changes throughout the day by creating a DIY sundial. All you need is a stick, some stones, and a sunny day. This hands-on project is a great way to introduce basic astronomy concepts.
3. Water Play:
Beat the summer heat with some fun water play. Fill a small pool or tub with water and add different objects. Ask your child to predict which objects will float and which will sink, teaching them about the concept of buoyancy.
4. Shadow Drawing:
On a sunny day, use the sun to create interesting shadow art. Place toys or other objects in the sunshine and trace their shadows on a piece of paper. This activity enhances creativity while teaching children about light and shadows.
5. Sensory Sand Play:
Beach trips are synonymous with summer. If you can't make it to the beach, bring the beach home. Fill a large container with sand and add shells, stones, and beach toys. This sensory play activity is great for developing fine motor skills and can lead to discussions about different textures and materials.
6. Garden STEM:
If you have a garden, involve your child in planting and taking care of the plants. They can learn about the life cycle of plants, the importance of sunlight and water, and even try their hands at measuring the growth of the plants.
7. Ice Excavation:
Freeze small toys in a large block of ice and let your child play archaeologist. They can use warm water, salt, or safe tools to free the toys. This activity is a great sensory experience and introduces children to the concept of states of matter (solid, liquid, gas)
8. Bubble Science:
Mix your own bubble solution with dish soap and water and experiment with different bubble wands. Observe the colors in the bubbles, and discuss how light can be refracted to create colors. This will introduce your child to optics, a branch of physics.
9.Lemon Battery:
Image courtesy: melscience.com
Use lemons, copper pennies, zinc nails, wire, and a small bulb to build a lemon battery. This experiment teaches kids about electricity, chemical reactions, and circuitry.
10. Wind-Powered Car:
Build a car that moves using wind power. This activity enhances mechanical and problem-solving skills while teaching about renewable energy.
11. Egg Drop Challenge:
Design a contraption that will protect an egg from breaking when dropped from a certain height. This activity encourages creativity, problem-solving, and understanding of physics principles like gravity and impact.
12. Volcano:
Create a classic volcano using baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring. If you don't have the materials. You can buy kits las shown above. This exciting experiment teaches about chemical reactions.
13. Crystal Growing:
Grow your own crystals! This experiment gives kids a hands-on experience with geology and the science behind crystal formation.
14. Paper Airplane Challenge:
Have a paper airplane contest. Experiment with different designs to see which flies the furthest or the highest. This is a fun way to learn about aerodynamics.
Remember, the key to these activities is not just doing them, but discussing them as you go. Ask your child what they think will happen, why it happened, and what they learned. This will enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
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