Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.
Every day, multiple times throughout the day, I hear “I’m bored.” I hear it from both my boys who are 5 and 6 years old, and it is so frustrating. I try to constantly come up with new things for them to do and play with but I admit I am not a very crafty person. Following directions, no problem, but coming up with crafts and experiments is not within my realm. Luckily The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry is offering fun and free online science experiments through their Summer Brain Games website. They are perfect activities for kids to continue to learn throughout the summer and prevent “summer brain drain.” Researchers say kids can lose one to three months of learning over the summer, and there are only so many worksheets I can get my boys to do. They are very active boys who like to be hands-on.
Each week an experiment or science challenge will be featured that can easily be performed at home with materials that most people already have. They are perfect activities for parents to do with their kids and they are free to download! The activities are also available in both English and Spanish.
We tried two of the experiments, the Weather Station and Pinhole Viewer. I did most the work getting them ready since my kids are young but they had a blast using them. So far for the Weather Station we have created a Rain Gauge. This came at a perfect time since we had three days of storms! I am though understanding why the gravel is required for the bottom, as when our Chicago winds blew, so did our rain gauge. I needed to pick up a few things to complete the rest of the Weather Station but so far my boys are loving monititoring the rain, future meteorroligsts maybe? As for the Pinhole Viewer I actually thought it is pretty cool. My boys loved using it on the inside and the outside to see what they could see. It is hard to explain but it basically XXXX.
Trying out the Pinhole Viewer inside:
The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry is offering a fun and free online science program called Summer Brain Games. The eight-week program lasts from June 17, 2013-August 12, 2013 and features a weekly experiment or science challenge that can easily be performed at home with kids of all ages.
Visit msichicago.org/summerbrain now to register for Summer Brain Games and download your free Summer Brain Games kit. As an added bonus, registering automatically gets you a pass to come to the Museum for free this summer.
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.
WIN IT: (1) US winner will receive a Family Four Pack (value $76.00)of tickets to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. (Tickets are valid through the end of 2013.)
Need help entering a giveaway? Check out my blog post for some help!
GIVEAWAY ENTRY:
K. Finn says
I love just playing with the kids in the pool. Pulling them through the water in fun ways, boosting them for jumps, etc.
Stephanie Kush says
The thing that I like to do the most with my boys over the summer is explore new and different places.
jennydecki says
My favorite summer activity with the kids is picking fruit. Strawberries, cherries, blueberries…and then having them help me make freezer jam. (Basically the same as regular jam but without the canning because I don’t know how.)
melanie says
we just went to the beach today…it is a lot of work to get everyone there with all their stuff, but they always have a great time!
Michelle Swank says
Going to six flags, shopping, and seeing family in Texas.
sarah t says
we love finding new parks
melissaandkeith miller says
play outside go for walks ride bikes
Lesley F says
Play backyard games
Brittney House says
We live close to Chicago so we like going to the beach and zoo
Lizette says
I love bike riding from the house to the lake with the hubby and kids. We just bought a bike trailer attachment and its very nice to enjoy weather and family.
maria venzor says
I love to taking my child to places he can explore at his own pace, Being that he has adgd and sensory issues we must work and explore things at his own pace. I have found that if I allow him to feel and touch on his own pace we most often have a good time whereever we are.
Genevieve G says
I love kite flying with the boys …especially behind MSI!!!
Laura Wirth says
We love to swim and BBQ!
Shemp DeYoung (@shempgames) says
When they were little, we did lots of museums and zoos. As they get older, we do more music and sports.
Kristy H says
We love to take the kids camping, they enjoy exploring the woods and beach! Or just walks around our neighborhood!
jackie says
We love to go to the park or swimming!
Beth enk says
My little guys loves exploring with ice outside.
Amanda J says
Favorite activity would have to be going to the zoo and finding fun fests/carnivals to go to! Always a busy weekend full of adventure 🙂
Kevin says
Take a walk
Kevin says
Movies in the park.
Kat says
We love to go to the beach in the summer.
Sharon Tayupanta says
I love to take my kids to the beach for the summer.
Laila @OnlyLaila says
We love to head outside to the forest preserve for nature hikes.
Teri says
We love to camp
Terri Moore says
we’ve had lots of rain so far so working on making inventions indoors and growing lots of different veggies in the garden.
kim says
I think my first comment got eaten. Anything having to do with water is usually a hit.
kim says
Anything to do with water is usually a hit in the summer.
mandi says
Nature walks
Stephanie Larison says
We like going out to the zoo and checking out the museums when we visit family.
Katie Morris Crider says
We go to the Magic House.
Ruth Hill says
visit the waterpark
Jay Gillespie says
I love to take my kids to the zoo during the summer
Sarah C says
we love to have a fire in the firepit and make s’mores!
katklaw777 says
We like to camp and fish…our family luvs the big outdoors.
Haven’t been to the museum in ages would luv to win this one…thanks!
ROSE O. says
My favorite summer activity with the kids is bike riding!
June S. says
With this heat & humid weather right now in Illinois, it’s swimming! (No more rain for a while please)
Katie Roch says
We love going to the botanical gardens
Sarah Parisi says
I love picnicking or playing at the pool. Anything outside!
Nichole D. says
Our favorite thing is to go hiking at the park or to the library
Tammy D says
What an awesome place to go with the kids!
Wendy says
We visit my mom who lives in South Haven. My 5yo loves the beach & swimming and the town is so quaint.
Darlene Sullins says
Looking at stars! 😀 My girls love doing that.
samuel says
The best activity with my kids in the summer is go for a walk or ride our bikes around the neighborhood and explore the great things that we have around us 🙂 Like the homemade ice cream 🙂
Jennifer Essad says
day trips, we love museums and parks and zoos
Marissa M says
Go to the local park!
Laura says
Favorite activity: travel!
Kayla says
Swimming at the pool definitely!
Elise says
I like taking the boys outside in general, anything to get out of the house and enjoy the weather. They love fishing and camping. I am trying to get them interested in some “science” type activities, and just bought a pepper plant for them to take care of and watch grow. Learning activities outside are great.
Westin H says
We love to plan mini trips to nearby cities like Chicago and Indy.
Michelle S says
Swimming – could be a pool or lake!!!
Caron B says
Go outside and catch lighting bugs.