Encouraging Exploration

     Does it seem like every time you turn around your home has been taken apart by your little explorer?

     Don’t despair, as it may simply result from an extraordinary desire to learn. Who knows, your child just may be a future scientist, inventor, or leader in the making.

Boredom Busters

     When your child needs to occupy some creative energy, have your child try some of these fun, educational activities.

     Put together a book of facts on a favorite interest such as dinosaurs, insects, rock bands, sports, or astronomy. Clip pictures and descriptions from magazines and Internet printouts. Then trace drawings from books and write about personal experiences with the topic.

Make up a scavenger hunt

     Parents can make a list of easy-to-find items for your small children. Give older kids a greater challenge with a list of puzzles to solve in order to determine what items to find. Kids can also create their own scavenger hunt for family or friends to try.

Play restaurant

     Have your child make up a restaurant menu with several simple dishes he can prepare. At dinnertime, he can seat the family, take orders, then prepare and serve the dishes. (Suggestion: Bring along some reading while you wait).

Recycling fun

     Start a discard collection and teach your kids the importance of recycling and reusing disposable items. Get their creative juices flowing by saving and collecting items, like zippers and buttons from old clothing, plastic containers, fabric strips, packing materials, small scraps of wood, carpet and wallpaper scraps, and more.

     Then, supply your kids with scissors, tape, and glue, and let them go to work. Offer ideas to get your kids started then let them come up with their own creations.

Make a puzzle of the U.S.A.

     Purchase several colors of clay and a United States map. Clip each state from the map, place a state clipping over the rolled-out clay, and trace the shape into the clay with a toothpick. Cut out the shapes then write the name of the state with a pencil tip. Be sure to use a different color of clay for each neighboring state, and then let the shapes dry or bake according to instructions.

Play Thomas Edison

     Save old kitchen appliances, computers, DVD players, and other electronics.  Then, gather a supply of tools, such as pliers, screwdrivers, and safety glasses, and let your child go to work.

     Kids love this type of exploration and learn by taking apart and examining the inner workings of electronics. As a word of caution, cut the electrical cord before your child begins to prevent any mishaps. And supervise the activity, looking for sharp parts or mechanisms that could pinch fingers.

Create a video

     Have your children make up several humorous television commercials using household items for props and by dressing-up for the part. After they’ve rehearsed their skits, shoot video of their fun antics.

Go on a dig

     Archaeology excavation kits are found in many educational toy stores or online. Children can dig for ancient treasures from replicas of dinosaur fossils to Egyptian reliefs.

     Kids also learn about the history behind the excavated items through stories included with the kits. Once kids’ interest has been sparked, parents can print out additional articles found online.

Exploration on the go

     Are you looking for some new and exciting places to take your kids?

     Art museums offer a variety of activities to spark your kids’ interest. Many offer art and craft workshops, traveling exhibits, book signings by children’s illustrators, and even musical performances and other arts.

     Or, head to a natural history museum where kids can discover the past from dinosaur displays and stuffed-animal exhibits to geology collections, ancient mummies, and astronomy.

Hands-on science

     Visit one of the many hands-on science museums around the country.

     They keep your child mentally and physically active the whole day through while pushing buttons, winding cranks, playing instruments, experimenting, and building. These science playlands are great fun for kids and adults alike.