Engineering Summer Fun with Tinker Crate
This is a sponsored conversation about Tinker Crate and the value of a STEAM education
If you ever find yourself on my Instagram or Facebook pages, you will know that I'm a HUGE fan of subscription boxes for children. They provide great structure, and it's always great to be able to pull something out on a rainy day, or when it's too cold outside to really enjoy. Kiwi Crate is one of the subscription programs that we love, and they have crates for all age groups. The Cricket,Koala, Kiwi, Doodle and Tinker Crates are all available as subscriptions, or a la cart month by month purchases. Before we move further into sharing the great crate we're featuring today, I'd like to share this GREAT deal for 40% off your first month's crate using code MAYSAVE40
Today, we broke open the hydraulic claw crate that came in the mail last week, and I let the ladybug loose with a bit of guidance from me. The type-A parent that I am, sat down at my desk, and let her tinker away at putting the claw together and seeing all of her hard work come to fruition. She had a blast connecting brads and zip ties together and seeing everything working together. It also came with a mini Tinkerzine magazine that helps to delve into hydraulics a bit deeper.
She worked quietly for about 30 minutes before coming and showing me the entire contraption together. We discussed what hydraulics were, and why they're necessary for some machines to work. We also discussed other liquids that could be used in place of water, and if those liquids would be good or bad when used with other machines.
She was very excited to test out her hydraulic claw on various items in the house and deemed it a bit too weak to pick up really big things. Good thing that the Tinker Crate offers extended instructions to build a larger hydraulic system for young and old tinkerers. Building a more complex claw was all that she needed to see. It was nice to have something meant just for her as well, since she's getting to the age of growing out of the Kiwi Crate subscription that her twin siblings are now moving into claiming. There's also encouragement to really tinker with the pieces to create a claw that isn't assembled like the one in the instructions. Playing around with the claw pieces, and formatting the claw is just what we need to create an S.T.E.A.M rich environment this summer and throughout our homeschool year.
I do feel that the challenge of the crate was just right. The Tinker Crate is stated to be for children 9-16+. I'll see if Nathaniel is interested in guiding the ladybug as she creates a larger and stronger hydraulic claw using the crate box and all of the other syringes that were sent in the kit.
Overall, it looks like someone will be moving up to a Tinker Crate from now on, and based on her affinity for putting things together in her spare time (she LOVES fixing my broken jewelry and other broken items around the house) I am very confident that she will be successful in learning a new skill each month.
Educational toys/projects are so awesome and serve so many purposes! This tinker crate looks so cool.
I had no idea of these education subscription boxes. This particular one is cool because it goes beyond reading and math. I'm glad that there is an element of hands on learning for topics that can be understood at an earlier age than when it's typically taught in school.
I've heard of tinker crate, and have seen the different crafts and tinkers that are made. My daughter would absolutely love it. Your daughter looked like she LOVED her new Hydraulic Claw!
I must say this absolutely amazing! I was completely unaware that subscription boxes existed so this is a great example of the evolution of education for children going higher. One of the things I like about this is that your ladybug seemed so attentive from start to finish; she looked like she was having fun putting her hydraulic claw together!
Now this is so cool! I love finding out about cool educational toys like this! I never even heard about a tinker crate subscription box before now, my boys would love this!
I can see my son playing with this. I love toys that are not only fun but educational. We love subscription boxes so I am sure this one would be a great addiction to our collection. Going to do some research and maybe order to keep my son busy during school break
That's such a cool thing you do for your daughter. I know my daughter likes to put stuff together herself and this defnitely gives me some ideas for things that I can do with her. I wonder if they have similar things that are maker space kinds of things that I can do at the library.
What a great gift idea for my son. His birthday is in June and he is a totally puzzle guy. I would love to have him try this. I think we might add this to his birthday list!
Oh this looks good, I will have to see what they offer for my son's age. He definitely needs to tinker and get into more hands on activities.
Subscribing to get interesting toys to play with like this is awesome. I think the tiner crate is so much better than a usual mobile app game. This will create more opportunities to make the kids think and learn outside the box.