Children have wonderful imaginations and one way to nurture their curiosity is to get them interested in science. Once upon a time science was simply associated with bunsen burners and white coats, but now there is so much you can do with your children that goes beyond the classic stereotypes. If you are hoping to get your kids interested in the world of science then you have come to the right place.
Here are 5 tips to make your kids interested in science in 2021.
- Take Them To A Science Museum
One of the easiest ways to get your child excited about science is to take them to a science museum! They will feel immersed in all things science and you can take a variety of tours, watch films and even take part in organised experiments. This is an educational environment that helps teach children about science in a fun and unique way. The best thing about fun learning is that it doesn’t feel like learning! Make sure you book tickets for extra experiences within your chosen science museum so you do not end up getting disappointed on the day.
- Get Your Kids A Telescope
As kids, there is nothing more captivating than the wonders of space and the universe. Getting your kids a telescope is a surefire way to get their interest in science rocketing! There is infinite beauty out there to be discovered, and to help you narrow down your options AmericanEclipseUSA.com have reviewed some of the best telescope brands and created easy to follow guides to help make sure that you pick the right telescope for your child. Getting your children into astronomy early on is a great idea as it is something they can always explore and enjoy. Particularly when special events happen up in the sky, such as an eclipse, phenomena like that will undoubtedly cement your child’s interest in science.
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- Conduct Home-Safe Science Experiments
While your child probably studies science at school, most educational institutions will limit the number of science experiments conducted due to health and safety reasons. The perk of conducting science experiments at home is that your child gets a front seat and can be involved in the action. Some common home experiments include creating lava lamps, simulating volcano eruptions, making glow in the dark putty, and bringing dry-erase drawings to life! There is endless fun to have and you can keep your kids interested by experimenting once a week. Science Saturdays have a nice ring to them and it gives your kids something to look forward to each week.
Once you have gotten into the flow of organising experiments, you can let your kids take more of a lead and ask them what experiments they want to do. This will get them researching fun experiments and they can come back to you with a list of materials needed. This will give them a sense of responsibility too, and that is always a good lesson for kids to learn.
- Watched Science Themed Movies
Everyone loves a movie night, so why not make a point of having science-themed movie nights? Pick a film, even if it is loosely based on science, you know that a sci-fi movie will always go down a treat. You can bake some cookies in science-related shapes earlier on in the day with the kids to keep the fun going. Create a fort, get some blankets and pillows and your kids will feel fully immersed in the science-themed movie nights.
- Download Mobile Applications
Another way to encourage your kids to get into science is to download science-themed mobile applications on your phone or a tablet. Popular examples include;
- Sid’s Science Fair – This is aimed at younger children and it explores simple concepts. Also, the app won an Editor’s Choice Award from Children’s Technology Review.
- NASA App – This app is totally free and it is aimed at the ages of 7+. Your kids will have access to over 14,000 images and 10,000 videos. They can also track The International Space Station and get mission updates right to your phone.
- Bobo Explores Light – This cute game teaches kids about colours, sunlight, lasers, holograms, photosynthesis and more as they go through the game with a loveable robot called Bobo. The app uses videos, animations, games and trivia challenges to engage kids. It is aimed at kids aged 8 to 12 and it costs $4.99 to download.
Kids are extremely tech-savvy these days and so rest assured that there is an app out there for your child regardless of their age. Also, this is a great way to keep your kids occupied if you ever need to be getting on with chores around the house.
- Science Themed Parties
If you have younger children, you will know how much of a big deal birthday parties are to kids! One way to throw a completely unique and fun-filled party is to throw a science-themed party! This party will stand out from the rest and make your child feel special, which will only act to strengthen their interest in science. Pro-tip – you can purchase some cheap beakers and fill them up with orange juice for effect!
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- Science Camp
Depending on where you are in the world you could consider sending your child to a summer camp for the summer. This is a great way for kids to have some fun, make new friends and learn even more about the fun side of science. Take the time to research options as some camps will be more specialised, for instance, some camps focus solely on space. So if your child is a budding astronomer then that is the place for them!
With these 7 tips, getting your children interested in science shouldn’t be all that difficult. The most important thing for you to do is to approach the topic with creativity and gentle encouragement. Trying to force something down their throat is never going to work and they will naturally push back, so the key is to let your kids’ curiosity take the lead.
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