• Santa & the Elves Christmas Experience at Winchester Science Centre
    days out - Family Life - Hampshire - STEM activity

    Santa & the Elves Christmas Experience at Winchester Science Centre

    December 9, 2018 - By 

    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…

  • 20+ Stem Gifts for 5-9 Year Olds
    Family Life - Gift guide - STEM activity

    20+ Stem Gifts for 5-9 Year Olds

    December 2, 2018 - By 

    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…

  • Minecraft STEM Challenge books for kids
    Family Life - Minecraft crafts - STEM activity

    Minecraft STEM Challenge books for kids

    September 30, 2018 - By 

    MY 8 year old loves playing Minecraft, especially with his Dad. He’s got a great imagination and loves to build his own creations. He also likes a little help and has a good collection of Minecraft books to inspire him. He was recently sent two new Minecraft STEM Challenge books to read and tell you about – Build a City and Build a Theme Park. Minecraft STEM Challenge: Build a City Build a bustling Minecraft metropolis – and get to grips with STEM concepts (science, technology, engineering and maths) as you play! Using core STEM principles, this book will take…

  • Solar System 3D puzzle
    Family Life - STEM activity

    Ravensburger 3D Planetary Solar System Set review

    August 28, 2018 - By 

    My children have always enjoyed puzzles. When they were younger they loved doing puzzles of their favourite tv characters and we’ve reviewed a fair few since we started reviewing toys and games on our blog. A few weeks ago we were offered a new type of puzzle for us – 3D! I knew my children would love the challenge so eagerly awaited the arrival of the 3D Planetary Solar System Set from Ravensburger. Ravensburger 3D Planetary Solar System Set review A large box arrived containing a set of 8 different 3D puzzles you can build to create the Solar System in…

  • The Kitchen Science Cookbook
    Craft book review - Crafts for kids - STEM activity

    The Kitchen Science Cookbook

    August 23, 2018 - By 

    We love a craft book and were lucky to receive a copy of The Kitchen Science Cookbook: Edible Science from solar cookie oven to colour changing noodles by Dr Michelle Dickinson to review. I have to admit I hadn’t heard of Michelle Dickinson, but she is a British author and award-winning nano-scientist who is making science fun and accessible for children. Michelle is a regular on TV in New Zealand (apparently she she is their equivalent of Brian Cox!) but also tours schools and festivals with her fun science shows. The Kitchen Science Cookbook The Kitchen Science Cookbook combines science and…

  • STEM fun with GraviTrax interactive track system
    Family Life - STEM activity - toy review

    STEM fun with GraviTrax interactive track system

    August 20, 2018 - By 

    Last month I told you how much fun my 8 year old was having with the GraviTrax Starter Set from Ravensburger. This is a really fun STEM toy which has been keeping him busy during the summer holidays. There are some additional GraviTrax sets and we were sent some to try at home and tell you about. GraviTrax interactive track system With the GraviTrax interactive track system, you can design and build your own race tracks and experiment with gravity, magnetism and kinetics to propel your gravity sphere to the finish. With a variety of tiles, levels, tracks and features…

  • make your own water compass
    competition - Crafts for kids - Kids crafts - STEM activity

    Make a water compass and Engineer a great Summer

    August 10, 2018 - By 

    With two inquisitive children I am constantly on my toes keeping them engaged and active, especially during the summer holidays. I’ve shared a few resources to keep the dreaded brain drain away and wanted to tell you about The Holiday Makers, a website with fun, free, family friendly activities to keep the kids aged 7-16 busy and minds sharp over the summer holidays. Engineer a great Summer with the Year of Engineering The Holiday Makers website is part of the Year of Engineering, a year-long initiative celebrating the wonderful world of engineering and encouraging young people to get involved. Every week a…

  • GraviTrax Starter Set from Ravensburger
    Family Life - STEM activity

    GraviTrax Starter Set from Ravensburger

    July 16, 2018 - By 

    Over the last few weeks we have been trying out the new GraviTrax Starter Set from Ravensburger. GraviTrax is the all new STEM track system. Use your imagination to build action-packed tracks and set your gravity spheres rolling. Today I am excited to tell you all about it. GraviTrax is aimed at children from 8 years to adults. My children love STEM toys and this is great for helping children understand some really important concepts. GraviTrax Starter Set from Ravensburger The new interactive track system allows fans to build track, release the gravity spheres and watch the forces of nature work…

  • Project Mc2 Ultimate Spy Bag review
    Family Life - Netflix Stream Team - STEM activity

    Project Mc2 Ultimate Spy Bag review

    February 9, 2018 - By 

    Project Mc2 ’s geek-chic heroines are back with a mission – to make sure girls (and boys) know that it’s cool to be smart and love all things S.T.E.A.M (that’s science, technology, engineering, art and maths). Project Mc2 is a team of super-smart and seriously cool girls who use their love of science and spy skills to undertake missions for top-secret organisation, NOV8TM (that’s “innovate”!). 2016 saw the launch of two new seasons of the Netflix original show, new products, and two exciting new characters – Devon D’Marco and Ember Evergreen. Last year the girls returned with a host of exciting new S.T.E.A.M focused products as seen…