keeping up with stem learning through play

We’re all about play over here. When the kids get home from school, it’s important to me that they have time to play. I’m not picky about what they choose to do. They might go outside with friends, play quietly alone, read a book–it’s pretty much their choice. So I do my best to have some toys around that facilitate learning in a very playful and fun way.
We’ve had K’Nex sets at our house for about a year.  We love that the sets combine 3-D building with motors to add moving parts.  And while each set comes with instructions, the sets can also be taken apart and combined with each other.  So you can use your imagination to create your own ideas.  So my creative daughter partners with my by-the-book son to come up with some really fun ideas! I love that they can turn a pile of pieces into working machines!

Since our first K’Nex set, K’Nex has come up with some great new sets!  We are loving the 2-in-1 sets right now.  The K’Nex Revvin’ Racecar set comes with the parts and instructions to make either the racecar or the ATV.  From K’Nex: 2-in-1! Build a revvin’ racecar, then build a powerful ATV. Includes 370 K’NEX rods & connectors are included, plus a battery-powered motor. Build a super-fast, motorized racecar! Then take it apart and build a powerful motorized ATV than can take on tough terrain.

Like the Revvin’ Racecar, the K’Nex Turbo Jet building set can be used to make either the jet or heli-plane.  From K’Nex:  Build a supersonic jet, then build a heli-plane with rotating propellers. Over 400 K’NEX rods & connectors are included, plus a battery-powered motor. Build a jet with motorized, rolling wheels and an open-and-close cockpit! Then take it apart and build a heli-plane with working, motorized propellers that you can adjust to spin vertically or horizontally.

Both of these 2-in-1 sets are recommended for kids ages 7 and up.  Younger children may need a little help following the directions to build the sets.  But my almost-four-year-old loves to play with the assembled sets once my bigger kids are done building them!  How do you encourage learning through play?  Check out some of the K’Nex sets and tell me your favorites!  How cool does the amusement park look?