recycling

family activities

explore at home

activities at home

everyday materials

space crafts

STEM

People have been fascinated by eclipses for at least 5,000 years — and they haven't gotten old yet! Eclipses occur when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth. This blocks the Sun's light, casting a moon shadow on the surface of Earth below. Very rarely, the Sun and the Moon line up perfectly, creating an amazing astronomical show for anyone standing in the path of the Moon's shadow: a total solar eclipse.

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People have been fascinated by eclipses for at least 5,000 years — and they haven't gotten old yet! Eclipses occur when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth. This blocks the Sun's light, casting a moon shadow on the surface of Earth below. Very rarely, the Sun and the Moon line up perfectly, creating an amazing astronomical show for anyone standing in the path of the Moon's shadow: a total solar eclipse.

Bring the Solar Eclipse Home

camp kiwico

koala crate

art how to

tinker crate

imaginative play

arts & crafts

parent tips

outdoor project

handmade

plants

craft

experiment

indoor project

painting

outdoor experiments

outdoor science projects

printable

art project

science experiment

science project

art-science projects

at-home learning

family activity

outdoor game

indoor game

party game

game

baking soda experiments

rocket

animals

nature science

garden

nature crafts

birthday party activities

birthday party games

astronomy

summer

backyard science

solar system

egg experiment

summer crafts

backyard games

plant science

nature

egg projects

outdoor activities

food science

summer fun

space

adventure

bubbles

Summer has arrived, and with it comes a lot of downtime. But KiwiCo delivers awesome activities and exciting experiments all summer long!

15 Activities to Fill Summer Downtime with Discovery

Activities at home

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moon

From the majestic planets of our solar system to the enigmatic exoplanets scattered across the vast cosmos, the universe is filled with celestial wonders. One such wonder is moons, captivating companions that orbit planets. Today, we embark on an exploration to discover which planet holds the record for the most moons within our solar system and delve into the fascinating realm of exoplanets, uncovering the planets beyond our solar system that boast a multitude of moons.

Which Planet Has the Most Moons? Exploring Moons Within and Beyond our Solar System

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From the majestic planets of our solar system to the enigmatic exoplanets scattered across the vast cosmos, the universe is filled with celestial wonders. One such wonder is moons, captivating companions that orbit planets. Today, we embark on an exploration to discover which planet holds the record for the most moons within our solar system and delve into the fascinating realm of exoplanets, uncovering the planets beyond our solar system that boast a multitude of moons.

montessori

learning activity

child development

Creating a Montessori bedroom for your child can be a wonderful way to foster independence, exploration, and a sense of ownership over their space. Today, we’ll guide you through the process of designing and setting up a Montessori-inspired bedroom for your little one. From choosing furniture to organizing the room, these practical tips can create an environment that encourages learning, creativity, and a peaceful sleep routine.

Parent tips

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Creating a Montessori bedroom for your child can be a wonderful way to foster independence, exploration, and a sense of ownership over their space. Today, we’ll guide you through the process of designing and setting up a Montessori-inspired bedroom for your little one. From choosing furniture to organizing the room, these practical tips can create an environment that encourages learning, creativity, and a peaceful sleep routine.

How to Make a Montessori Bedroom

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving crafts

The Thanksgiving holiday is one of our favorites here at KiwiCo, because it brings space for quality family time without the pressure and stress of gift giving (which will be here all too soon!) There are so many wonderful ways to spend that time together as a family, reflecting on what we are grateful for (see some of our previous posts on <a href="https://www.kiwico.com/blog/2019/11/13/creative-gratitude-traditions-for-kids/" target="_self">creative gratitude</a> and <a href="https://www.kiwico.com/blog/2019/11/07/10-creative-thanksgiving-traditions-for-kids/" target="_self">Thanksgiving traditions</a>). This week is also a great time to help your kids connect with the world around them. Whether it’s the wonders of nature or mathematics in everyday life, or – if you’re lucky enough to spend Thanksgiving with extended family – older generations with (perhaps) a different perspective on life. All you need to do is encourage your kids to be observant and ask questions about the world around them. Here are some fun & easy ways to encourage STEM thinking (curiosity and creativity!) with your family this Thanksgiving:

5 Ways to Encourage STEM Thinking This Thanksgiving

Holiday

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The Thanksgiving holiday is one of our favorites here at KiwiCo, because it brings space for quality family time without the pressure and stress of gift giving (which will be here all too soon!) There are so many wonderful ways to spend that time together as a family, reflecting on what we are grateful for (see some of our previous posts on creative gratitude and Thanksgiving traditions).

the science behind

February 2nd is Groundhog Day!&nbsp;Groundhogs&nbsp;(also called woodchucks) are a member of the squirrel family (they are not hogs at all!)&nbsp; As the tradition goes, if a groundhog emerges from its burrow and sees its shadow, spring is still 6 weeks off;&nbsp; if the groundhog doesn’t see his shadow, it means warmer weather is on its way. 
Have you ever wondered what causes shadows? Or how a shadow might change shape depending on the time of day or time of year? Look around you now;&nbsp; If you are in a lighted space, chances are you will see a shadow because shadows are all around us. 
Simply speaking, a shadow is the absence of light. Light is a form of energy that travels in a straight line until it hits an object. If the object blocks the light from passing through it, that creates an area of darkness–a shadow–on the other side.

How Shadows are Formed: The Science of Shadows

The science behind

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February 2nd is Groundhog Day!&nbsp;Groundhogs&nbsp;(also called woodchucks) are a member of the squirrel family (they are not hogs at all!)&nbsp; As the tradition goes, if a groundhog emerges from its burrow and sees its shadow, spring is still 6 weeks off;&nbsp; if the groundhog doesn’t see his shadow, it means warmer weather is on its way.

online resources

engineering

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On July 11th, 2022, NASA released full-colored images from the James Webb Space Telescope, their newest and most powerful space telescope. These images feature highly detailed images of the cosmos that can teach us about the universe’s very first stars and galaxies — and could even help us find alien life! To celebrate the launch, we collected some awesome Webb Space Telescope fun facts and stellar space activities for you to do with the kids at home!

5 Ways to Celebrate NASA’s Newest Space Telescope at Home

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Now that your baby may be starting to sit up, roll, and get their hands on everything, it’s a great time to help them discover how their bodies and other objects fit in the space around them. As your little one explores the world, they’re collecting information and building their spatial awareness, the set of skills that allows you to understand how your body and other objects fit in the world around you. Basically, it’s the skill that helps you reach for things, walk around stuff, or even read a map — though it doesn’t explain how north isn’t always “up.” (You’re on your own with that one.)These changes are exciting. They’re exhilarating . . . plus, kind of overwhelming. And there’s no way around it. Babyproofing will be an ongoing and probably unloved chore as your baby’s mobility increases. But as you’re busy blocking off unsafe areas, don’t forget to spend some time creating baby-friendly ones. Make some room and encourage your eager explorer to dive in and (safely) explore their world!

5 Tips to Make a Baby-Friendly Play Space

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Now that your baby may be starting to sit up, roll, and get their hands on everything, it’s a great time to help them discover how their bodies and other objects fit in the space around them. As your little one explores the world, they’re collecting information and building their spatial awareness, the set of skills that allows you to understand how your body and other objects fit in the world around you. Basically, it’s the skill that helps you reach for things, walk around stuff, or even read a map — though it doesn’t explain how north isn’t always “up.” (You’re on your own with that one.)

kiwico news

Watch our team answer important questions from kids like: “What’s the best thing you’ve ever built?” Plus, get an exclusive look at where the creative magic happens in the KiwiCo maker space.

Behind the design

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Kids Ask. KiwiCo Engineers Answer. 

Astronomy is the study of the sky above us, and everything in it. When we think about astronomy, we might just think of the&nbsp;night&nbsp;sky. But did you know that the stars and moon are always up above us? We just can’t see them during the daytime because the sun is so bright. It’s amazing to think that stars are so far away that they appear as tiny pinpricks of light, when in fact, they can be as big as the Sun, or even bigger!
But before we started to explore&nbsp;the science of stars, we simply sat back and observed them.&nbsp;Observation is the first step to any exploration.

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Astronomy is the study of the sky above us, and everything in it. When we think about astronomy, we might just think of the&nbsp;night&nbsp;sky. But did you know that the stars and moon are always up above us? We just can’t see them during the daytime because the sun is so bright. It’s amazing to think that stars are so far away that they appear as tiny pinpricks of light, when in fact, they can be as big as the Sun, or even bigger!

Astronomy for Kids

book list

In the place where we put our childhood memories, a little parking space exists. The parking space reads, reserved for Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss). The author and illustrator’s fantastical stories, forward-thinking illustrations, and zany characters make his books unforgettable – meritorious of a reserved space in our childhoods. Great reads for kids and fun escapes for adults, dig into lessons on creativity with these five Dr. Seuss books.

5 Dr. Seuss Books for Encouraging Creativity in Kids

Book list

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In the place where we put our childhood memories, a little parking space exists. The parking space reads, reserved for Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss). The author and illustrator’s fantastical stories, forward-thinking illustrations, and zany characters make his books unforgettable – meritorious of a reserved space in our childhoods. Great reads for kids and fun escapes for adults, dig into lessons on creativity with these five Dr. Seuss books.

The seasons are changing and bringing new colors to our world. Celebrate with your child with nature art! We talked with the author of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Foraged-Art/Peter-Cole/9781681882598">Foraged Art</a>, Peter Cole, to find out ways to make masterpieces with materials supplied by Mother Nature.<figure class="wp-block-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; display: block; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: " museo="" sans",="" arial,="" helvetica,="" verdana,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 16px;="" font-style:="" normal;="" font-variant-ligatures:="" font-variant-caps:="" font-weight:="" 400;="" letter-spacing:="" orphans:="" 2;="" text-align:="" start;="" text-indent:="" 0px;="" text-transform:="" none;="" white-space:="" widows:="" word-spacing:="" -webkit-text-stroke-width:="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);="" text-decoration-thickness:="" initial;="" text-decoration-style:="" text-decoration-color:="" initial;"=""></figure>

Nature Art for Kids: Crafts with Flowers, Leaves, and Rocks

Arts & Crafts

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The seasons are changing and bringing new colors to our world. Celebrate with your child with nature art! We talked with the author of&nbsp;Foraged Art, Peter Cole, to find out ways to make masterpieces with materials supplied by Mother Nature.

Now, more than ever, is a great time to discover (or rediscover) the joy of reading. Whether you and your kids are looking for ways to fill extra hours at home, find some balance vs. screen time, or simply escape for a little while to an alternate reality (aren’t we all!) – a good book can deliver on all those things. Great reading requires great books. To help provide recommendations for our Summer Reading List, we asked our KiwiCo Editorial Team for their favorite books by age. Our editors review hundreds of books each season to handpick selections to pair with our monthly crates, which we send as part of our Deluxe subscription. (PSA: you can upgrade your subscription – for any line except Maker and Eureka – and get a book delivered every month selected to complement that month’s crate theme!). Since our crates are designed to spark curiosity, learning and innovation, we love books that do the same.<figure style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; display: block; position: relative; outline: 0px !important; clear: both; caret-color: rgb(116, 133, 144); color: rgb(116, 133, 144); font-family: proximaNovaRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img data-image="oup2w145pt3r" src="https://csicdn.kiwico.com/v3/assets/blt5d966d0d1776691c/blt7340e7af4bca37a3/606dcd4f3d85432b0f81dc3c/Screen-Shot-2020-05-14-at-3.04.42-PM-1024x688.png" data-sys-asset-uid="blt7340e7af4bca37a3" alt="Screen-Shot-2020-05-14-at-3.04.42-PM-1024x688.png" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; outline: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;"></figure>

For little ones, we love beautifully illustrated board books for kids to chew on. Have a reluctant reader? We’ve found that elementary age kids LOVE nonfiction and graphic novels. Does your kid love hands-on activities? Keep your kids busy with crafty DIY workbooks all summer long. Below is a list of recommended books curated by our editors. We’ve organized the list by age group but some of the ages overlap. Each age group includes STEM and STEAM learning titles and all of them are seriously fun! When you upgrade your KiwiCo subscription to Deluxe, we’ll choose a unique title to extend the fun and learning of each month’s crate topic! Most importantly the age level of the book corresponds to your child’s literacy to help expand your child’s reading skills.

KiwiCo Editors’ Picks for Your Kids’ Summer Reading List

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Now, more than ever, is a great time to discover (or rediscover) the joy of reading. Whether you and your kids are looking for ways to fill extra hours at home, find some balance vs. screen time, or simply escape for a little while to an alternate reality (aren’t we all!) – a good book can deliver on all those things. Great reading requires great books. To help provide recommendations for our Summer Reading List, we asked our KiwiCo Editorial Team for their favorite books by age. Our editors review hundreds of books each season to handpick selections to pair with our monthly crates, which we send as part of our Deluxe subscription. (PSA: you can upgrade your subscription – for any line except Maker and Eureka – and get a book delivered every month selected to complement that month’s crate theme!). Since our crates are designed to spark curiosity, learning and innovation, we love books that do the same.

behind the design

kiwico store

<h4>What do your kids want to do when they grow up?</h4>
When we interviewed kids to find out what they dreamed of becoming when they grew up, being an&nbsp;astronaut&nbsp;was high on nearly everyone’s list. (Honestly, a lot of us want to be astronauts too!) To help give kids a jumpstart on this dream we created the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kiwico.com/astronaut-starter-kit.html">Astronaut Starter Kit</a>&nbsp;(part of our new Professions series in the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kiwico.com/store">KiwiCo Store</a>, which also include a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kiwico.com/store/new-arrivals/vet-starter-kit.html">Vet Starter Kit,</a>&nbsp;for all the animal lovers out there.) The Astronaut Starter Kit is complete with hands-on projects and fun facts designed to spark wonder and “whoa, awesome!” reactions.

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