Top 10 Science Experiments You Can do at Home With Kids (Video)



Finding the Best Science Toys for Your Child

Getting a kids excited about learning and schoolwork is one of the most difficult challenges for parents. Although a teacher’s success depends on how much a student learns, it's our job as parents and guardians to help give them that extra motivation to learn new and exciting things.



One of the best ways to get a child interested in seeking knowledge is by introducing them to science toys. This vague phrase covers a wide range of different playthings, but they have one thing in common: educating while entertaining.



Importance of Science Toys for Development

Although the main purpose of toys is to amuse children, it doesn’t mean they can’t have other advantages. Here are just a few points that explain how important science-themed toys can be for early childhood development.



Create an interest in various subjects



The key to a good education is a thirst for knowledge. Teachers can only do so much in the classroom, and with over 30 students to watch over, it’s nearly impossible to offer independent guidance on every subject matter. By getting your child a science toy, you’re giving your child the necessary tools to build an interest in a certain field.



Learn while having fun



Many school programs across the country try to combine entertainment with education but seeing as how children dread waking up in the morning for school, it’s safe to say that this goal has yet to be accomplished. You can give your child a leg-up by providing them with fun and exciting educational toys. No doubt they’ll have questions on how things work, and parents will be in the perfect position to fill their eager minds.



Creative Freedom



Science isn’t just about staring in wonderment at certain objects. Many toys invite children to be creative in building and experimenting. Since there’s no scoring or ranking involved, a child is free to play as he or she desires without fear of being reprimanded for messing up or dreaming about an imaginary world. Your children need complete freedom to learn through mistakes in order to achieve success.



Independence



Perhaps most importantly is that science toys, depending on what they can do, can teach your child how to become independent. Finding out how to do things on their own is the first step to becoming self-reliant. As time goes on and as your children’s toys advance in complexity, they’ll be able to figure things out unassisted or at least know where to search for the answer.



Preparation for their future career



Science toys aren’t just aimed at elementary students and younger. Some of the more complex toys, models, and kits are marketed for teenagers and young adults. These toys can actually help a child prepare for a career in the wonderful world of science by introducing the basics. Your child’s first telescope may be the push he or she needed to pursue a career as a microbiologist or forensic officer.



6 Popular Types of Science Toys

Books



Though technically not a toy, science books are a gateway to introducing your child to various subjects. Reading may be a chore to younger children so picture books may be the best way to convey an educational message.



PROS

+ Eye-catching illustrations

+ Books cover various science topics



CONS

- Not suitable for toddlers who can’t read (unless you want to read to them)

- Child may not be interested in reading



Plush Toys



Plushies are a whole lot of fun for children. A science-themed plush doll is a great way to teach your child the fundamentals of science without a lot of teaching and preaching.



PROS

+ Fun and fuzzy

+ Cute characters



CONS

- Not much of a “learning” toy

- Easily ripped apart



Models



Putting models together is an extremely entertaining way for older children to get into science. Models can be anything from airplanes to solar systems and even dinosaurs.



PROS

+ Long-term entertainment

+ Lots to learn about models and model assembly



CONS

‍- Small pieces can be a choking hazard

- Complicated models may cause disinterest



Experiment Kits



Experiment kits are for the super-curious children who can’t get enough of science. These kits come with all the supplies needed for hours of fun.



PROS

+ Direct learning toy

+ Fun for the whole family



CONS

- Choking hazard

- May require parental supervision



Puzzles



Puzzles are probably the most basic type of science toy, but they’re not any less entertaining. Putting together large puzzles is a challenge that children absolutely love doing, and the end result can be anything science-related, such as a beautiful picture of a part of the universe, the molecular world, or perhaps something your child is more familiar with.



PROS

+ Different complexity levels based on child’s ability

+ Simple but amusing



CONS

- Choking hazard

- May get bored midway through finishing a puzzle



Telescopes



Last but definitely not least are telescopes. These toys allow children to view faraway objects with relative clarity without needing to spend hundreds or possibly thousands of dollars on specific lenses and accessories.



PROS

+ Easy to assemble

+ There’s always a distant object to observe



CONS

- Child-friendly telescopes aren’t that powerful

- High learning curve



Picking the Perfect Toy in 4 Easy Steps

The “right” science toy for your son or daughter depends entirely on his or her fascinations. However, if your child hasn’t expressed any interest in science subjects, then you may need to do a bit of digging. This 4-step guide will help you determine which science toy your child may have limitless fun playing with.



1. Age-appropriateness



Unless your teenage son or daughter has a thing for plush dolls, you may want to leave those alone. Most science toys have a label that lets parents know which age group would enjoy playing with them the most. This is especially true for books, models, and experiment kits.



2. New or existing interest



If your child does not enjoy learning about science or has never expressed an interest, then you’ll have to be proactive in finding what would draw his or her attention. Consider science disciplines that fascinate you – you and your child might actually share an interest. If your son or daughter loves chemistry, biology, or space, then the appropriately themed toy should excite them the most.



3. Playable or observable



Not all science-themed toys require a hands-on approach to enjoy. Some toys, like models or crystal balls, simply entertain by being there, whereas kits, books, and telescopes might as well just be paperweights if they’re not played with or read.



4. How much time you can watch over your child



Many science toys like experiment kits, telescopes, and models may require parental guidance and supervision. These toys consist of several moving parts, most of which are tiny and easy to swallow. The last thing you want is to teach your child the ins and outs of your local hospital’s emergency room when they’re getting their stomach pumped.

