Disclaimer: This post is a collaborative masterpiece of parental observations and toddler brilliance. All opinions are our own – because who else’s opinion matters in the world of a two-and-three-quarters-year-old genius?
STEM learning has started with some baby steps in our household thanks to the fantastic new Domino Robot Factory from Hape toys.
It’s little C’s day job, being two-and-three-quarters, to test limits and push boundaries as hard as he can to see if they buckle or come crashing down. So after a challenging week on a rainy Saturday afternoon, it was time to take this idea one step further with the new STEM-inspired Domino Robot Factory.
For those of you who don’t know what STEM stands for (and I know a few), it’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. There has been a big push in our house for little C to learn STEM early – since daddy is an oil & gas engineer.
How Things Work
Our mini ‘mohandes’ (engineer in Farsi) already loves to explore how and why things work the way they do, so the dominoes were an instant hit. Little hands quickly got to grips with the bright red tipper car, crazy ball track and ramps to form an exciting, fast-paced robot themed production line which created plenty of drama and spectacle.
The brightly-coloured pieces helped him catapult the wooden ball into the air (and under the sofa). He then ensured it motored along the double-sided track. There were a whole host of different ways for him to play (screen-free) and it kept him busy all afternoon.
Problem-Solving Skills
The set doesn’t come with instructions or a rule book. Little C really impressed H and I with his ingenuity, creativity and problem-solving skills. He was super-inventive as he grappled with the concept of potential energy, momentum and gravity. He also gained a basic understanding of the principles of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics learning.
On a parental note, the pieces come beautifully crafted from natural materials and Hape uses only water-based paints. The Robot Factory Domino Set is available to buy online for £49.95 from Wicked Uncle.
Strictly Briks
As a brand that values creativity and learning through building, Strictly Briks are compatible with other brands. Strictly Briks’ large building bricks promise a guaranteed tight fit with any large size building briks. Opportunities for creativity are endless as your child can combine their sets together and build an infinite amount of creations.
Strictly Briks offers a range of exciting games and brick packages to suit everyone. The popular Brik Tower helps enhance STEM learning, by building as high as the can they can master the tower.
Saffron and Cyrus is a Newcastle-based family lifestyle blog, covering health, wellness, days out, travel, reviews, recipes and more from our family life.
The blog is written by new mum over 40, Aranda, with input from hubby H and son, Little C.
I love sets like this where your imagination can take over and the kids can create whatever they like – they can become too reliant on instructions otherwise! This looks great for free thinking and creativity.
Author
Hi Tiffany, more than happy to collaborate, just email me! X
What a great little set – I am also actively doing as much STEM learning as possible with my kids it’s so important
What a great stem toy to help children express their creative skills. So many other educational benefits from a toy like this 👍
My little one loves anything like this. He’d much rather spend all his free time playing than glued to a screen!
Louise x