Back-To-School: Educational Products For Kids During A Pandemic

These are unprecedented times, and everything is unpredictable including when school will get back to normal.

My kids are 100% virtual learning for the foreseeable future and although they adjusting wonderfully and I couldn’t be more proud of how they’re handling this huge change, we can’t help but feel there’s something missing.

I mean, my kids get socialization as much as possible like playdates at the local parks or at friends and family’s homes, and they talk on their phones along with their computer games but there is still something missing.

It’s the hands on experience of using your brain and hands together. I was happy to try out these 2 STEM items that help with this missing aspect. I personally loved Science as a child and thought these quick experiments were just perfect for the amount of time that would hold my 8 year olds attention and keep him interest.

The first up is the Ooze Labs: Colorful Crystal Lab. The absolute best part is that it isn’t a 1 time and done kit. There is a book if experiments to choose from using some provided materials along with household staples where they can be recreated as you wish.

We started started with the first project of the booklet and continued from there. I’ll admit, we went a good 3-4 days doing these experiments and I think he got alittle bored, but the kit is still on our kitchen table ready for the next experiment to be done when he’s ready which I’m sure will be soon.

They seem safe enough for a mature child to be able to do on their own, but it’s suggested that parents are there to assist (and it’s fun for us too!).

Image: Thames and Kosmos

Manufacturer points:
Explore the natural beauty and wonder of crystals by growing them yourself in many different shapes and colors! Set up your lab station — complete with beakers, test tubes, centrifuge, display dome, and more — and use safe, non-toxic crystal salts to conduct more than ten experiments in crystal formation. You can even make red, pink, blue, purple, and clear crystals using the spinning centrifuge! After you’ve completed the experiments in the kit, continue your crystal growing adventures using the cool lab setup and common materials from around your home. MSRP: $29.95; Ages 6+.

We also received some really simple but cool magnetic tiles, the Tileblox Rainbow 20Pc Set. These are great for all ages and can be used for hands on math or engineering. These can also be used for color and shape work for younger children and comes in handy to “quiz” them on how to make a rectangle, etc.. while they’re building.

Using their hands and minds is the skill we want to work on with these. It comes with a book of projects to follow along with, which my son enjoyed copying these, but then he went rogue and started creating his own creations using the blocks.

Manufacturer points:
Discover the endless possibilities of Tileblox 20Pc set. With the step-by-step idea sheet, create one-of-a-kind masterpieces! A great set for beginner builders looking to explore and learn through play. Arrives with 8 Triangles and 12 Square in Rainbow colors. Each geometric shape contains magnets that let you build with endless possibilities! TileBlox is perfect for STEM education and when playtime is over, use the magnetic power to simply stack and store. MSRP: $24.99; Ages 3+

These are both Holiday gift worthy items!

DISCLAIMER: I received these items to review and share my opinion with my readers. The opinions are my own and not that of the manufacturer.