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I think it’s true to say that most kids learn very well through hands-on activities. I think it’s especially true when it comes to STEM based learning activities where they can create or build a project while learning how it works at the same time. Needless to say, my kids love learning through hands-on play time, so here are a few of the kits we’ve tried to learn about different topics.
About Howtoons
We believe that learning is a product of the hands, the mind, and the imagination. And that creativity is the beating heart of problem solving. We believe in a continuum of creativity from art to science that is bigger and richer than the sum of its parts. We empower children and their friends, parents, and mentors to make their own toys and invent their own fun. We seek to inspire the highest heights of imagination with fabulous adventures that give kids lifelong skills in science, crafts, creativity, using tools, and engineering. Because the world of the future is only as awesome as the one we wish to create.
About Costume Puzzle
Costume Puzzle is an educational costume building game for children between the ages of 4 and 15. The game consists of differently colored felt modules and an instruction sheet. The felt modules can be easily attached to and detached from one another – just like constructing houses with plastic blocks. You can create costumes by following the instructions in the box or use your imagination to create entirely new ones. The process of creating a costume is often as much fun as playing with one and can unleash creativity you didn’t even know you had.
My Review
As a homeschool mom and a teacher at our co-op, I know how busy life can get, making it difficult to gather all the needed supplies for projects or experiments. So I definitely appreciate and enjoy buying kits that include everything my kids need for their project. And that is particularly true when it comes to science or STEM learning because we may not have everything lying around the house that the kids will need. Learning through hands-on play is serious business in my house so we need everything laid out ahead of time.
My family had a blast trying out two of the Howtoons kits: the Ukulele Kit & the Gami Bot Kit.
A ukulele is a wonderful way to teach kids the science of sound. Our ukulele kit empowers kids to build a functioning ukulele and join the Howtoons gang in their concert adventure. This kit includes the comic, instructions, tools, and all materials needed to complete the project, plus other bonus content.
This was super fun as my kids are already interested in music and they got to build their own instrument. Not only did they get to practice following instructions with the illustrated Howtoons booklet, they also learned about cooperating together as well as why sound works the way it does. It definitely is geared toward children ages 7 and up, but don’t let that stop you if you have a younger child that would stay focused but maybe need your help a little more. At the end of the experience, the kids had a working ukulele that they also strung themselves and decorated it.
The Gami-Bot kit includes supplies to create four different origami robot bodies, four vibrational motors to power the bots, and five batteries, plus our Howtoons comic and other supplemental supplies.
If your kids love either robots or origami (or both) then this kit is definitely one to check out. It includes everything you need, down to the wire cutters & scissors, to build your own origami robot bodies which then have a vibrating motor attached so they can move and do battle! The kit also includes a battle arena and straws to help you direct your battle bot when he’s up against a competitor. These were a great way for learning through hands-on play as the kids learned about robotics, circuits, and basic life skills like stripping wires and battery connections. Fun note: The parent helping them referred to this kit as bomb-building 101 when she had to strip wires and watch the kids hook them up to batteries. Don’t worry, nothing explodes; it was just a thought that crossed her mind.
Drago the Fire Breathing Dragon is the goofiest and friendliest fire breathing dragon you’ll ever meet! He is always showing off his fire-breathing skills for his friends. Some of Feltland’s residents are scared of Drago just because he’s a dragon, but everyone who actually gets to know him loves him for his silly jokes and willingness to help out by lighting the fireplaces on cold winter nights. Included in the box: 93 pieces of felt modules (81 green and 12 orange) and an instruction sheet for constructing the dragon. One felt module is 7 x 7 in.
Dress up is always fun but when the kids had to help make their own costumes, it also became about learning and patience. The first Costume Puzzle kit we completed was for Drago the Fire Breathing Dragon. He is adorable and you can’t help but smile when he makes an appearance. No sewing is required for this puzzle kit, you just follow the instructions by inserting felt tabs into pre-cut slots, connecting one piece to another until the row is complete. These can be customized or changed, whether you need it to be a different size or if your child wants to change a detail. My son likes to wear a green shirt & matching pants under his costume to complete the outfit.
Flora the Genius Fairy Botanist is Feltland’s resident genius; she’s always running science experiments in her fairy laboratory, searching for ways to make the kingdom’s flowers blossom more beautifully. It is Flora who fills the kingdom with so many flowers and keeps the bees so busy! Flora saves her most extraordinary blossoms just for Princess Priscilla. Included in the box: 82 pieces of felt modules (52 pink, 17 blue and 14 yellow) and an instruction sheet for constructing the fairy. One felt module is 7 x 7 in.
Oh my, our resident princess was in love instantly with this Costume Puzzle kit that allowed her to dress up like a “flower scientist”! The bright colors of the puzzle pieces were terrific and just like with Drago, the pieces come pre-cut and you simple assemble them row by row. Again, you can change it up if they want a different style or if you need a different size that what it defaults to.
Aurora the Creative Ballerina’s creativity is part of what makes Feltland so magical! When she’s not waking the village with a song, she’s entertaining the children with fantastical stories or choreographing a new ballet routine. Aurora is so creative that even her outfits bring the townspeople joy; everyone is always eager to see the beautiful and unusual hats she makes with Costume Puzzle! Included in the box: 83 pieces of felt modules (47 purple and 20 white and 16 black) and an instruction sheet for constructing the ballerina. One felt module is 7 x 7 in.
This ballerina costume puzzle kit was also a major hit for my female children. While not as colorful as the flower scientist, it was more sophisticated and had a wildly fun hat to build with it. This completed dress is a one shoulder design, but a light t-shirt or dance uniform worn underneath gave my little dancer plenty of coverage when it was chilly out.
Learning through hands-on play is so important for all children. Whether they are learning about science and math through STEM kits, building their own musical instruments and starting a family band, or designing and building their own costume outfits to their liking, they are learning above all else. And they have something to show for it when the work is done, a tangible object to play with again and again. Make sure you check out all the kits & subscription boxes from Howtoons as well as the different costume puzzle options from Costume Puzzle.
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We’ve added Howtoons & Costume Puzzle to our MEGA Christmas Gift Guide! Check it out here!