This post is a sponsored partnership between MindWare Toys and MommyWeek. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Three Screen Free Ways to Stimulate Learning In Your Children

Did you know that my family has been TV free for over a decade?! I wrote about it here on the blog a few years back, and it’s not actually something I talk about a lot because screen free living is simply our way of life. Sometimes after I share with people in conversation that we don’t own a television, I’m often asked “Aren’t your children bored?” The answer is a firm “NO!” As unschoolers and lifelong learners, there is not a lot of time for boredom. As soon as you’re bored, imagination and inventiveness takes over, and some new and amazing ideas can emerge. Over the years we’ve learned how to live a pretty exciting life sans television. We’ve come up with some creative and fun ways to spend our time, and it helps us to pay more attention to one another as a family.

Screen Free Ways to Stimulate Learning In Your Children 

Visit Your Local Library – Visiting the library isn’t a new or innovative way to learn, but you’d be surprised at how many people don’t take advantage of this amazing free resource. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know or learn is inside a book. My children and I visit the library several times a month, and I allow them to choose whatever kinds of books they are interested in. It helps them to shape their personalities, and they learn something new every time they read. This way learning isn’t forced, but it’s fun because they were able to decide what they wanted to study. 

Get Outside – There are many hands on learning experiences available outdoors. Through unschooling, we’ve spent a lot of time exploring our local parks and hiking trails, even during the winter! Bundle up, put on some extra layers, and get some sunshine! Exploring the outdoors is an easy way to connect as a family without the use of screens, and a way to learn something new. My children begin to collect stones and leaves, bird watch, and take note of any new kinds of animals they see. Create a scavenger hunt for your children, and go explore! 

Play Brain Boosting Games & Activities –  Fun games that stimulate the mind are one of our favorite ways to learn screen free. Hands on sets and toys are the building blocks of creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving skills.

Recently my children have been exploring their new Q-BA MAZE 2.0: Deluxe Lights Set.

The Q-BA MAZE is an award winning STEM toy that comes with light up cubes & colorful cubes, rails and marbles. The motion-activated cubes flash blue, red, yellow or white every time a marble hits the cube floor. The cubes are battery operated, and the batteries can easily be replaced when they run out.

I gave my children the task of deciding who would design their new maze, build it, and then test it. I asked them to each come up with a hypothesis and conclusion on their final maze design.

This task covered engineering and critical thinking, math concepts, problem solving and more. The Q-BA-MAZE 2.0 gives way to hours of learning, exploring new ideas, and creativity. It is recommended for ages 6 and up. It’s not as easy as it looks either!

My children really had to think about how they would build their base and how many cubes they needed to actually pull off their design. We also have the handy marble catchers so you don’t have to worry about lost marbles. This maze gives way to hours of learning and fun! 

I hope I’ve given you all some fun and new ways to stimulate learning in your children screen free! What are some things your children do to explore their creativity?