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TinkerLab: A Hands-On Guide for Little Inventors

June 19 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

I'm geeking out over all the awesome open-ended and STEAM activities here!

Around here summer is the season for lots and lot of hands on play. This is partly to keep mom (that's me) from going nuts, and partly to keep our littles' brains stimulated and learning. The only flaw with this summertime mantra of play? It can be rather difficult to think of creative, open-ended ideas to fill our days! Which is why I'm so excited to tell you about the new book from one of my very favorite blogging friends, Rachelle over at TinkerLab. TinkerLab: A Hands-On Guide … [Read more...]

Filed Under: The Book Nook Tagged With: open-ended play, STEAM, STEM activities for kids, STEM ideas, TinkerLab

How to Set Up an Invitation to Create for Your Child

April 8 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

Love this simple concept of setting up invitations to create for raising innovative thinkers - lots of good examples on how to do it here.

Need some great kid art and creativity ideas? Look no further. I'm super excited to introduce you guys to Rachelle today.  Her blog, TinkerLab, is an AMAZING resource for growing creative, innovative, critical thinking kids.   What I love most about Rachelle is that despite her impressively intimidating credentials (has a Masters in Arts Education from Harvard, oversaw school programs at the San Jose Museum of Art, lectures on Visual Thinking Strategies at Stanford University, and worked on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Art + Kid Crafts, Creating & Engaging, The Make & Play Vault Tagged With: art activities for kids, invitations to create, kid crafts, open-ended art activities, open-ended play, teaching kids about art

How to Create an Upcycled Inventor’s Box for Hours of Open-Ended Play

January 14 by Kaley

Upcycled Inventor's box - awesome activity for teaching kids about recycling and creativity. Be sure to get the free printable idea cards!

Have you ever noticed that no matter how many toys your kids have, they are always drawn to things like cardboard boxes and paper towel rolls? It seems that a simple box will usually entertain them longer and promote more creativity than the fanciest of store bought toys. Rather than fight this phenomenon, just embrace it and marvel and what natural upcyclers your kids are. Furthermore, encourage even more of this open-ended creative play by … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Creating & Engaging, Kaley, Sensory & Interactive Play, The Make & Play Vault Tagged With: Earth Day activities for kids, kids' inventors box, open-ended play, recycled building blocks, recycling activities for kids, recycling with kids, REPREVE, turnitgreen, upcycling with kids

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