• Bandai STEM Ambassador - Family Life - STEM activity

    Learning about geodes with National Geographic

    Last month we told you about the new kits from National Geographic which are great for exploring STEM subjects at home. We’ve already tried The Shark Tooth Dig Kit and the Gemstone Dig Kit. They were fun for my children to crack open and discover what treasure was hidden inside. National Geographic Break Open 2 Geodes kit A few weeks ago we received the National Geographic Break Open 2 Geodes kit. To be honest I hadn’t heard of geodes before but geodes are naturally forming volcanic rocks that contain amazing crystal formations inside. Crack them open and discover beautiful minerals!…

  • competition - Family Life - STEM activity

    Beaker Creatures Reactor Pod review and giveaway

    With the Easter holidays in full swing we have been having so much fun with playdates and trips to London. The weather has been pretty terrible so I was delighted to introduce my children to the new Beaker Creatures, an exciting new range of science-themed collectibles, from Learning Resources. They have recently landed, and come to Earth in search of science adventures. Beaker Creatures Reactor Pod After travelling through space in their Reactor Pods from their tiny distant planets, Beaker Creatures uniquely combine the thrill of collecting with hands-on science experiments, building skills and sparking curiosity! By dissolving the Reactor Pods,…

  • Bandai STEM Ambassador - Family Life - STEM activity

    STEM at home with National Geographic experiment-based kits

    I love a bit of home learning. My 7 year old just loves science, so much so that she was awarded her Science badge at Beavers last night! We had fun trying some experiments at home together. So I knew she would enjoy trying some of the new National Geographic™ Kits which we were gifted. National Geographic Shark Tooth Dig Kit My children have both tried these kinds of kits before. They love the challenge of trying to excavate to find the treasure. So they both knew exactly what to do. The first kit we opened was The Shark Tooth…

  • Crafts for kids - STEM activity

    Making bath bombs with the So Bomb DIY Vanity Case

    My daughter loves a STEM toy and has been having so much fun creating her own bath bombs this week. We were kindly gifted the new So Bomb DIY Vanity Case from Canal Toys.  These creative kits make it simple and fun for children to design and make their own large fizzy Bath Bombs in just 30 minutes! Everything you need is inside the box and each pack includes a charming collectable figurine. So Bomb DIY Vanity Case My daughter received one of the bath bomb kits at Christmas so knew exactly what to do. The So Bomb DIY Vanity Case…

  • book review - Crafts for kids - STEM activity - What I'm reading

    Eco Kids Self-Sufficiency Handbook review

    Over the last few weeks I have been reading the Eco Kids Self-Sufficiency Handbook: STEAM projects to help kids make a difference by Alan & Gill Bridgewater. I love a craft book and this has a great mix of projects for crafty kids like mine. Eco Kids Self-Sufficiency Handbook The Eco Kids Self-Sufficiency Handbook offers a wide range of ways to capture the imagination and make a positive contribution to the world around us. Twenty-eight exciting projects support integrated STEAM learning (science, technology, engineering, art, maths), all with easy to follow step-by-step instructions and photographs. By cleverly combining creativity with eco-awareness, this…

  • Crafts for kids - STEM activity - Winter crafts

    Winter boredom buster – watercolour snow paint

    This year we are all about embracing Winter. It’s easy to stay inside during the colder months but it’s important to get outside, whatever the weather. We’ve had a pretty mild winter so far in the UK but I’ve been busy Pinning all kinds of Winter activities to keep my children busy. They love to play with snow so I came up with this fun Winter STEM Activity for them – watercolour snow paint! Our watercolour snow paint is a real Winter boredom buster, read on for our simple winter craft activity to keep kids having fun. STEM play is…

  • Crafts for kids - Elf on the Shelf - STEM activity - subscription box

    Easy Elf Snot Slime and The Curiosity Box

    A few months ago I won a subscription to The Curiosity Box. This is a science subscription box for kids and I was pretty pleased to win it as my 7 year old just loves science and I love trying subscription boxes. I have to admit that the boxes have been stacking up as we’ve been so busy. However, when the December box landed, and we discovered it was a SLIME box, well we just had to open it straight away. The Curiosity Box subscription box The Curiosity Box is a science subscription box that send you monthly boxes of themed…

  • days out - Family Life - Hampshire - STEM activity

    Santa & the Elves Christmas Experience at Winchester Science Centre

    Today we were invited along to Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium for a special Christmas treat. Advertised as a Christmas experience like no other, we were promised a live science show inspired by the classic children’s tale, Jack and the Beanstalk; an elf-led activity; Christmas planetarium show and a chance to meet Santa. Santa & the Elves Christmas Experience at Winchester Science Centre The Santa and the Elves Christmas Experience unites the magic of Christmas with the excitement of science, promising a fun-filled family day out during the festive season. The experience comprises two main events, an hour-long Santa and science experience…

  • Family Life - Gift guide - STEM activity

    20+ Stem Gifts for 5-9 Year Olds

    How are you getting on with your Christmas shopping? I love shopping for my children, and try to get a range of toys and books which will last them over the year. I particularly enjoy finding STEM gifts for them as I know they are challenging and help them learn. We have reviewed some wonderful STEM toys over the last few years so I thought it would be fun to pull together 20+ Stem Gifts for 5-9 Year Olds. 20+ Stem Gifts for 5-9 Year Olds Under $15 Shark Tooth Dig Kit Stomp Rocket Junior Tenergy ODEV Dynamo Lantern Educational STEM…