My brother is an engineer and my kids think he has the coolest job because he works with road construction vehicles. My boys love reading the Construction Site book series. The illustrations show road builder machines working together and they all have eyes. One morning we drove past a construction site and my oldest was so excited to see an excavator. He then looked at me with a very serious face and said "Mom, why don't those road builders have eyes?" He was completely serious and his innocence was so sweet.
Engaging toddlers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) activities can be a fun and educational way to introduce them to these concepts. Here are some STEAM engineering activities perfect for little ones:
1. Building with Blocks: Provide toddlers with various types of blocks and encourage them to build structures. This helps them develop spatial awareness and basic engineering skills. Mega Blocks are great for little fingers found here. My personal favorite is Magna-tiles, found here. They are so easy to stick together and it is a great activity to engage with your toddlers to build rocket ships and castles. The possibilities are endless.
2. Straw Structures: Give toddlers straws and connectors (e.g., plasticine) to build simple structures. This can teach them about stability and balance.
3. Simple Puzzles: Provide age-appropriate puzzles and encourage toddlers to problem-solve and fit the pieces together, which can develop their spatial and cognitive skills. Here is a great starter pack of puzzles that has pegs for easy gripping.
4. Playdough Creations: Offer playdough for toddlers to mold and shape into various objects, fostering creativity and fine motor skills.
5. Engineering with Household Items: Encourage toddlers to use everyday items like cardboard boxes, empty containers, and rubber bands to create their own simple machines or inventions.
Remember to always supervise toddlers during these activities to ensure their safety. Tailor the activities to their age and developmental level, and make learning a fun and interactive experience.
Below are my top 5 favorite toys for toddlers.
1. LEGO Technic: LEGO Technic sets offer more advanced building challenges compared to standard LEGO sets, making them great for kids interested in engineering and mechanics. These are great daddy and me projects and this one is my oldest favorite. It's a monster truck.
2. LittleBits: LittleBits kits offer modular electronic building blocks, allowing kids to create and customize their own electronic inventions without needing prior knowledge of electronics. Here is a set that allows you to make your own sound blending the engineering and art!
3. GoldieBlox: These construction toys combine storytelling with engineering concepts, encouraging girls to engage in STEM activities. These are better for older kids. You can find one here.
4. Osmo - Genius Starter Kit for iPad: Osmo's interactive games and learning apps teach kids about science, technology, engineering, art, and math in an engaging way. This is a great way to make screen time safe and fun.
5. Thames & Kosmos Kits: Thames & Kosmos offers a range of science and engineering kits for kids, such as crystal-growing kits, robotics kits, and more. Here is a cute one where your kids can get an introduction to coding. It brings a lot of laughs as Andy the robot comes to life.
When selecting an engineering toy for your child, consider their age, interests, and skill level. How do you bring STEAM to your kids?
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