I firmly believe that if you want children to learn something, the best way to do it is to engage their interest through hands-on exploration of the materials. With that belief in mind, I provided my children an opportunity to do some hands-on exploration with geometric solids as a way to learn 3-D shapes. Note: For more playful ways to ... Continue Reading
Fall Leaves I Spy {free printables}
Have the leaves started turning colors in your neighborhood yet? I just love those few weeks between when the leaves have turned brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow and before they have turned brown and fallen off completely. I have previously shared activities I've done with my kids to help them (and me!) learn how and why leaves change ... Continue Reading
Shrunken apple heads
Making shrunken apple heads is something I remember doing in elementary school, and it is a perfect fall craft to celebrate apple season or to decorate for Halloween. These shrunken apple heads give kids practice at carving a 3-D object. They also integrate science, as kids can see what happens when an apple is left to dry out. With ... Continue Reading
Apple Play Dough Mats for fine motor play {free printable}
My printable Apple Play Dough Mats combine one of fall's most abundant fruits with sensory play, fine motor development, and number sense! Download and print these colorful mats today to stimulate creativity and support children's emerging understanding of numbers. Note: For more apple learning resources, see my Apple Unit ... Continue Reading
Children’s books about sinking and floating
If you are doing a unit on density or having your children experiment with things that sink or float, I've gathered a great list of books about sinking and floating that are perfect for kids. Below I describe and review six books you will want to check out and read with your children. Note: Find more science experiments on my Science Activities ... Continue Reading
Robot Sudoku Puzzles {free printables}
As a child, I dreamed of owning a robot that would do my chores for me. My dream today is to build a robot with my kids so we can enjoy the learning experience together. I think it would be fun to handle the electronics and the programming and the mechanics that would be necessary to build a fully functioning robot. And if the robot just ... Continue Reading
Hands-on symmetry activities for kids
A couple of days ago I released my Basic Symmetry Activity Pack with more than 40 hands-on learning ideas for teaching kids about reflection symmetry. Today I'm sharing more hands-on symmetry activities for kids using manipulative materials. Note: For more hands-on math activities and printables, see my Math Activities for ... Continue Reading
Basic Symmetry Activity Pack with 40+ reflection symmetry activities for children
Symmetry is an important concept in both math and art. In addition, symmetry is commonly found in nature. For example, faces, bodies, and flowers are all generally symmetrical. Children are born with an innate sense of symmetry. Teaching symmetry builds upon their inborn understandings, allowing them to better learn concepts. When teaching ... Continue Reading
Erupting soap {STEAM activity for kids}
At Gift of Curiosity, we love exposing kids to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). Erupting soap is a fun and simple STEAM science activity that will be enjoyed by kids of all ages. Plus, this super quick activity only takes a minute or two from start to finish (although we provide ideas for extended learning opportunities ... Continue Reading
Apple I Spy
Apples here, apples there, I see apples everywhere! Apples are soon to be everywhere again as apple season rolls around. Can your child find all the apples in this fun new Apple I Spy game? Note: For more apple learning resources, see my Apple Unit Study page. There are a total of three printable games in the Apple I ... Continue Reading
