Look, let’s get real here. Giving your kids enriching activities while you’re trying to, you know, run a household and just literally stay sane despite stepping on 9 million toys? Pain. In. The. A**. But I’ve got you covered with The Lazy Mom’s Guide to STEM Activities. Let’s rock this child enrichment crap.
STE(A)M is the new learning approach in many schools across the States.
It is a fun, engaging way of learning and encompasses science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
That sounds great, right?! Right…
Well, it is great, but not everyone has time to sit down and do big projects with their kids.
Heck, even little projects in my house turn into a giant mess to end all messes.
After running around like a chicken with your head cut off all day, you have a right to be lazy!
So, here’s the lazy mom’s guide to STEM activities.
You’re welcome.
Have Them Cook Dinner
Seriously, somebody has to do it, right?!
Give your kids a recipe and let them get cooking.
Cooking involves science because it is chemistry mixing just the right ingredients.
It involves math including fractions.
And, if you let them use things like the Instapot, they are learning about technology.
Cooking, also involves engineering because they are figuring out how to build a meal without you.
Just supervise them at an age-appropriate level, mkay?
Give Them Your Boxes
Boxes make great STEM activities, and if you are truly a lazy mom, you have a lot of boxes–you know all that stuff you ordered on Prime Day? Those.
So, instead of tearing them down and putting them in the trash, give them to your kids.
Tell them you want them to use their imagination and create something out of their box.
This is a great way to get rid of your boxes and help your kids develop engineering skills.
Even if they’re older–ask them to build you something…just put them in charge and let it go.
Which brings me to my next point.
Give Your Kids Some Independence
As moms, sometimes we are too involved in our kids lives.
We try to find things to entertain them, but in reality, they really need to be able to explore, experiment, and do things on their own.
Give them a bunch of stuff to mix together.
Ask them to make sidewalk chalk or slime from scratch and suggest they look up a recipe online.
There are so many things your kids will be able to do that you didn’t know if you leave them to their own devices.
Give them independence to explore and experiment with their surroundings without you.
Download STEM Apps
The great thing about STEM activities is that you can use technology to get your kids learning
about STEM!
And, you don’t have to do a d*** thing. Thank goodness.
Download some of these apps and give your kids some screen time that is filled with learning:
- Crazy Gears: Crazy Gears is a game where kids have to think critically and use their
problem solving skills to solve puzzles. Kids will explore science and physics as well as
technology. - Hopscotch: Coding has become a very lucrative skill. Everyone is looking for coders in
this day in age. Give your kids a step up with Hopscotch. - The Robot Factory: This app is engineering at its finest. Kids get to build their own
robot in this technological robot factory. - Solar Walk: We are soon going to be able to vacation to the moon, so you better get
your kids prepare. The Solar Walk app allows kids to travel through space and time with
a bird’s eye view.
Get STEM Subscription Boxes
My time is valuable, so, if someone else is going to do all the work, put it all together, and send
it to me, I am gonna let them.
STEM subscription boxes are the best! Kids love getting something in the mail; it’s exciting. And, the activities are all done for you! Here are my favorite subscription boxes:
- Monthly Subscription Box for Kids Ages 4-8. (paid link) New Crafting Adventures Every Month – Toddler and Kid Creativity and Art Activities for Two.
- BITSBOX: BITSBOX is a perfect subscription box to help kids learn coding in a fun way. Each month, they get a new coding concept.
- TinkerCrate: TinkerCrate is a fun way for kids to tinker and learn about science, engineering, and technology. It is for kids 9 and older.
- Steven Spangler Science Club: Steven Spangler is great at teaching STEM, so you can just sit back and relax after you get the box. Choose 1 of 3 levels of hands-on science kits your kiddos will love.
As mom’s we are stretched thin! We don’t always have time to do the extra things with our kids.
And, let’s be honest, sometimes we are just too lazy to get up and do it.
So, let your kids explore on their own and encourage their independence. How do you include
STEM activities in your day? Share in the comments below!