I like to do various semi-education activities with my kids, most often on Saturdays. We call these Science Saturdays activities. I am going to post about some of the successful activities and the less-than-great semi-educational activities.
Lakeshore Steam Kit Planes
This is a kit from Lakeshore. We haven’t done as many of their kits. Probably in part because this one didn’t go over very well… The Lakeshore Steam Kit Planes were underwhelming. It worked fine, and the kids could build planes (the youngest needing a lot of help)… The real issue is they just didn’t fly well. So we would spend a little bit of time building them, but after maybe 3 throws the kids lost interest. We got a little more time out of them by letting them color and decorate the planes, but in the end, they just couldn’t hold the kid’s interest. I tried again later when they were older and it still wasn’t a hit. In the end, they have honestly played more while making paper air planes.
is this better than a paper plane?
Kid Approved? No
Sorry, perhaps my kids were to young or they can make paper airplanes that are to good and fly much better… So these just didn’t make the cut. They
Replayability
low, the next time I got the box out to try the kids just groaned…
Kit / Toy Detailed Description
Inside the kit you will find wings, tails, straws, and a guide… If your kids are really into model building and following directions they might enjoy it more… If they just want to build quick planes and have races for who goes the furthest, well these aren’t worth the time, effort or cost.
I like to do various semi-education activities with my kids, most often on Saturdays. We call these Science Saturdays activities. I am going to post about some of the successful activities and the less-than-great semi-educational activities.
KiwiCo Civil Engineer Starter Kit
We have used many kits from KiwiCo they are a great company that provides fun and educational toys and kits. They are sometimes hit-and-miss. Today, we will cover the Civil Engineer Starter Kit.
The KiwiCo Civil Engineer Starter Kit is a captivating and educational introduction to the world of civil engineering, tailored for curious young minds. This comprehensive kit empowers children to delve into the realms of design, construction, and problem-solving through hands-on exploration and creativity.
excitedwill it fall?
Kid Approved? Yes
We brought this kit to a family gathering, so we used it to entertain kids of varying ages from 4-8. We broke it into two sessions. In the first session, we built towers, and we stress-tested them, and added weights. The kids loved the “earthquake” machine. They enjoyed playing with the weights and laughed delightfully as the towers collapsed before we added additional support.
building a bridge
In the second session, we built a bridge. This required a bit more coordination, so I had to help put this together. It was enjoyable to the kids but not nearly as engaging or fun as the shake table and tower activities.
Replayability
The shake table and putting other things on it, and just knocking over the towers is enough of a hit that you can pull the kit out from time to time and the kids will re-engage with it. Months later, the youngest kids still enjoy playing with the shake table. Watching things fall over and laughing.
I will also so I enjoyed this kit quite a bit and had a good time playing with it and going through the activities.
Kit / Toy Detailed Description
Inside the KiwiCo Civil Engineer Starter Kit, you’ll discover a treasure trove of carefully curated materials and components. These include high-quality building supplies, engaging activity cards, and an assortment of fascinating challenges that guide children through the process of building their own miniature structures. The kit is designed to offer an immersive experience that mirrors the tasks and responsibilities of real civil engineers.
At the heart of the kit is a series of thoughtfully designed projects. Each project introduces a unique aspect of civil engineering, such as constructing bridges, designing skyscrapers, or creating sturdy foundations. The activity cards provide step-by-step instructions that empower children to take the lead in the building process. This hands-on engagement fosters essential skills like critical thinking, spatial reasoning, and attention to detail.
The KiwiCo Civil Engineer Starter Kit doesn’t just teach the mechanics of construction; it also encourages creative thinking. As children follow the instructions and build their structures, they’re also prompted to consider variations and modifications that can enhance their designs. This aspect of the kit nurtures innovation and encourages children to approach problems from different angles, a fundamental skill in the field of engineering.
Beyond individual projects, the KiwiCo Civil Engineer Starter Kit fosters collaboration. It’s an ideal activity for families, friends, or classroom settings, as multiple participants can work together to solve challenges, share ideas, and bring their collective visions to life. This collaborative element encourages communication, teamwork, and the sharing of diverse perspectives.
I like to do various semi-education activities with my kids, most often on Saturdays. We call these Science Saturdays activities. I am going to post about some of the successful activities and the less-than-great semi-educational activities.
KiwiCo Fishing Game
We have used many kits from KiwiCo they are a great company that provides fun and educational toys and kits. They are sometimes hit-and-miss. Today, we will cover the fishing game.
The KiwiCo Fishing Game is an engaging and educational activity designed to captivate young minds while promoting learning through play. This interactive game combines the excitement of fishing with hands-on exploration and discovery.
KiwiCo Make your own fishing game.
Kid Approved? Sort of
Sadly, this wasn’t as much of a hit as many KiwiCo kits. The kit was a bit too hard for the 4 and 6-year-old to do without a lot of assistance, and basically, they only had an interest in building it. Once we were done making it, they had zero interest in playing the game.
briefly playing with the game
The 4-year-old, did briefly enjoy making the tackle box and filling it with her little toys and treasures.
Sasha getting a bit more play out of the tackle box.
Given that it was a bit hard for the kids to build and they didn’t really enjoy the final product, this is one of the less successful kits we have had from KiwiCo, I would skip this one unless your kid already shows serious interest in fishing.
Kit / Toy Detailed Description
The game comes as a comprehensive kit with all the necessary components to create a mini-fishing experience. Inside the kit, you’ll find a vibrant and sturdy game board that represents a whimsical underwater scene, complete with colorful fish, aquatic plants, and a charming backdrop. The attention to detail in the design not only makes the game visually appealing but also stimulates imagination and creativity.
The heart of the KiwiCo Fishing Game lies in its interactive elements. A miniature fishing rod with a magnet at the end allows young players to “catch” magnetic fish from the game board’s surface. Each fish features a unique design and is magnetically attracted to the fishing rod, creating a fun and realistic fishing experience. This hands-on interaction enhances fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and concentration.
I like to do various semi-education activities with my kids, most often on Saturdays. We call these Science Saturdays activities. I am going to post about some of the successful activities and the less-than-great semi-educational activities.
Mini Mushroom Grow Kit
Mushroom growing kit
Growing Mushrooms clearly takes a bit more than a single Saturday, but it is a great science activity with the kiddos. We grew a back to the roots Mushroom mini grow kit. That can be started in just a few minutes. The initial setup involves opening the box, cutting the bag, and soaking it in water. All the while discussing mushrooms, it was super easy to start.
mushrooms growing
Then it is fun to watch as it grows from tiny baby mushrooms to something we can eat in just 2 weeks. We grow tons of stuff with the kids, with a summer outdoor garden and our basement hydroponic garden (which I will cover in a future post).
Our kids love eating and cooking mushrooms, so it seemed like it would be fun to grow some so they could see the process and eat their bounty.
The mushrooms start coming up fast, and I think Theo pulled his first one off the box and popped it in his mount by day 6 after starting the kit.
preparing the mushrooms
From reading a bit about these kits, we should be able to grow two or three crops of mushrooms. We just started the second batch yesterday.
Our kids enjoyed sauteing them in butter, the first batch we harvested a bit too late, and they were a bit dry and cooked up chewy. We will see how we do with the next batch.
Adventures of the Miller Mayers 