You know “the best part of the gift is the box,” right? Anytime a package arrives, my kids clamor for the box, then hack it into a boat, a cave, a spaceship…! Turns out, playing with tinkering toys helps kids grow! So how can we foster this creativity in our homes? (Fair warning: you’re going to become a hoarder of anything made of cardboard!).
Encourage Creativity with Tinkering Toys
Kid Inventor Day is celebrated every January 17th, but you can encourage your kids’ creativity with tinkering toys all year long! Open-ended tinkering toys give kids freedom to think and create. (Also, tinkering toys make great birthday gift ideas. Because, I’m guessing most parents will raise an eyebrow if you bring a box of loose parts and recyclables as a gift).
My boys love to invent stories, create scenes, attempt challenges and more with these tinkering toys for creative play.
A DIY Tinker Box
Use household supplies and inexpensive items from the dollar store to put together your version of this DIY tinker box!
Magnetic building toys
Magnets make for really cool science experiments and discussions! Playing with magnets is fun too. Kids can build and create with Magformers magnetic sets. While they play they’ll be using geometry concepts to design and create their constructions. Read more about what makes Magformers a great gift idea.
Robotics toys develop a curiosity about machines
The Air-Walker is a four-legged bot that encourages kids to tinker with engineering and physics concepts. It even walks up walls and other smooth surfaces using air suction! Learn more here.
Invent motor-powered machines!
Tinkering Labs’ Electric Motor Catalyst kit includes real tools and a battery-operated electric motor! Plus, the Tinkering Labs box is FULL of real-life materials – wooden wheels and connectors, rubber bands, markers, metal hardware, and more. The quality real-life parts sends a positive message that a child’s play is taken seriously. No “instructions” are included, but there are photo-illustrated concepts about how parts work together and fundamentals of connecting and building.
Kids can go their own route or use one of ten challenge cards included to get ideas for machines they can build. I love how this kit is “evergreen” – the parts can be assembled and disassembled for continuous creative play. Most importantly, this kit comes with safety glasses, which can lend towards an important talk about safety when doing projects. The box is handy for storing all the parts and the kit comes with a drawstring bag and metal container.
Find this amazing tinkering kit (and a booster pack!) at Tinkering Labs! Plus you can watch How-To videos and get more ideas and inspirations.
LEGO Technic Race Boat
Everyone knows LEGO sets offer great open-ended play. LEGO Technic adds gears, pneumatics, and even motors! So kids can extend their brick-building into the world of engineering play! Dozens of kits feature cool vehicles from construction machinery to Porsches and Corvettes.
And, the LEGO Technic Power Boat set is a 2-in-1 set. Build the boat and activate the pistons and propellor. Rebuild again as a Hydroplane. Then use all the parts to create your own invention!
Find LEGO Technic on their website, Amazon or most toy stores.
KEVA planks by Mindware
Simple, yet so versatile! Basic KEVA planks are the same size, and come in beautiful KEVA Maple wood (or pine). There’s no glue or tape or sticky stuff, so clean up is easy. Simple stack and create. KEVA planks appeal to preschoolers up to adult! So it’s a toy kids will never outgrow.
With KEVA planks, kids learn balance, number concepts, patterning, sculpture/design concepts, abstract thinking, and project planning. KEVA says it’s similar to a sandcastle: beautiful, fun, and temporary creativity. There’s no rules or instructions and the toys can be reused indefinitely.
Add to your KEVA plank collection with:
- KEVA Cutouts: Pine planks, arches, columns, portholes and battlements let kids expand their KEVA constructions by adding structural elements like “windows,” “turrets,” and more!
- KEVA Brain Builders: Use the 30 challenge cards to learn balance, proportion, composition and geometry as you build. Also comes with a zipper storage case so it’s perfect for on the go play!
- KEVA Junior: for toddlers and preschoolers, these oversized planks are made from recycled wood and are top-rack dishwasher safe. The two different colors allow for patterning and sorting.
- KEVA Lesson Plans! These free plans can help you launch your child’s play!
Shop Tinkering Toys for Kids!
Tinkering Labs Electric Motors Catalyst STEM Kit
Ugears Theater Mechanical 3D Puzzle Wooden Construction SetKEVA Brain Builders GameMindWare KEVA Junior 20 Premium Plank Set for ToddlersKEVA CutoutsKlutz LEGO Chain Reactions Craft KitLego Crazy Action Contraptions (Klutz)LEGO Technic Power BoatLoose Parts: Inspiring Play in Young Children (Loose Parts Series)Loose Parts 2: Inspiring Play with Infants and Toddlers (Loose Parts Series)
Learn more about these tinkering toys:
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