1. Board Games
Having a family board game night and replacing repetitive worksheets with lively and colourful board games are the best ways to develop your kids' numeracy and literacy skills in a fun and entertaining way!
The following board games present mathematical concepts like addition, subtraction and problem-solving in an engaging, hands-on format to practice the skills taught in school without feeling like they've studied for a second. The later games get even more challenging, requiring players to strategies and plan ahead. This helps develop your child's logical reasoning skills and problem-solving abilities.
This Math card game is ideal for helping your kids master second and third-grade maths. Take a break from workbooks and get your kids to practice multiplication, division, addition and subtraction while having fun!
Great for younger and older siblings to play together and reinforce math skills at the same time. Younger players can use addition and subtraction while older players use multiplication and division.
The Board Game is a fun and educational game for 2 to 4 players. Win as many points as possible by moving around the board and answering questions on everything from addition, subtraction, division and multiplication to shapes, fractions and time. Best suited for children between the grades of two to five.
Fill your brain to win! Players learn from every subject as they answer questions from 5 different categories: Science, Math, Arts, Reading, and The World to add tokens to their Brain Card.
Not only is Escape From the Aliens in Outer Space a fun theme that older kids will enjoy, but it really tests their abilities to think logically. Each player has their own map and dry-erase marker, choosing where they will move on the map and then drawing a card that determines if they state their location or lie about their location to the group. Depending on if they are a human or alien, the player must escape or prevent escape to win. This is a game of logic, pattern recognition and deduction and is best suited for ages 12 and up.
2. At Home Science Experiments
Science experiments spark curiosity by showing how things work in the world around them. When children are able to experiment at home, they can explore their own interests, ask questions and test hypotheses which nurtures a love for learning. The following home science experiments will prompt questions, inspire investigations and stimulate creative thinking over the holidays to funnel future passion for science.
For younger children, let them perform the experiment with you and discuss the observations and results together. Ask them questions and get them thinking!
For older children, do the experiment together but ask them to present their findings to you and the rest of the family through a science report or an informative poster. This will help consolidate knowledge, build upon their literacy skills and allow them to do extra research into the topics!
Seed Germination Experiment
Watching seeds grow is an amazing science project for your kids! This seed germination experiment allows kids to see up close to how a seed grows! Learn about the steps of seed germination, and investigate what conditions a seed needs to germinate.
Questions you can ask…
- Do seeds need light to germinate?
- Does the amount of water affect seed germination?
- Do different types of seeds germinate under the same conditions?
- Does salt water affect seed germination?
Homemade Lava Lamp
Have you ever made a DIY lava lamp? Explore the chemistry between common household items like oil and water. This simple Lava Lamp experiment is an easy but amazingly fun activity for kids of all ages to explore liquid density and a cool chemical reaction.
Questions you can ask…
- Why don't all liquids mix?
- What are liquids made out of?
- What kind of chemical reaction is occurring?
Rolling Aluminium Can Static Electricity Experiment
Static electricity is a fascinating aspect of science, showcasing the invisible forces at work around us. The rolling can experiment provides a tangible demonstration of static electricity’s captivating nature to teach kids about everyday forces.
Questions you can ask…
- What is static electricity?
- What other materials does this work on?
- What is an atom?
3. Visit the Museum
Visiting the Museum is a fantastic day trip for the family. Let them explore science, history and nature in a vibrant setting with mind-boggling and interactive displays. Ask them questions and get them to explain back bits of information to you. For an extra challenge, get your kids to keep a journal of the things they see and learn throughout the day so they can write a reflect on the experience when the day is over.
4. Write Informative Articles
Getting your kids to read and write during the holidays is a MUST to consolidate the literacy skills acquired throughout the school term. The best way to do this is by giving them fun research tasks on interesting topics they are fascinated with.
Together, write an informative article about dinosaurs, the highest mountain, the scariest snake or the life cycle of a ladybug. It could be on absolutely anything! This will get them to read and comprehend bits of information to then communicate it out again in their own words. And it doesn't have to be an article. It could be a poster, a powerpoint presentation or a speech. Be creative with it and really let your child find their passions.
Examples of informative articles at the primary school level are found below.
Manoj Arachige
5. Cooking together
This may not seem like a mathematical task but following a recipe can provide a daily maths lesson involving measurement, time and cost.
Here is what you can try at home
- Collect and read recipes and discuss the use of fractions, millilitres and grams. Encourage your child to make accurate measurements using measuring cups and spoons.
- Discuss how you would double or halve a recipe. Encourage your child to record new measurements for the recipe. Discuss why and when you might need to do this.
- Identify the temperature and cooking time on the recipe. Discuss why different recipes have different temperatures and cooking times.
- Estimate the cost of buying all the ingredients to make the recipe. Compare this with the actual cost of items. Ask your child if they think it is better to buy the ingredients and make dinner or get takeaway.
Providing opportunities to discuss and engage in mathematics supports your child’s learning in and out of school. By discussing the role of mathematics in cooking, your child with begin to connect the importance of maths with their everyday life.
Manoj Arachige
Want more personalised study support to help your child achieve their academic potential?
