Learning Through Play - Primary Age Resources

This post includes PR Products

We have been learning from home on and off for nearly a year now and I am starting to see how hard the children are finding it.  The schools are setting the practical work but it is hard to bring it to life in the same way they do in a classroom.  I have been looking for practical ways to inspire a love of learning in my primary aged children and I want to share some products I have found that encourage them to learn without always realising that is what they are doing!

Dodo Puzzles

Not only are puzzles great for problem solving, they are a great way to build on a topic and open conversation.  As Cora has been learning about animals this term, this puzzle from Dodo (available from halilit) helps us talk about which animals are native to which countries.  As Finn has been learning about continents it is easy to look at locations and getting them to work together on it has been a great team building exercise.  There are a great range of Dodo puzzles and these 80 piece puzzles are aimed at 5 years+

Ultimate Gross Science

The boys aren't bothered about reading about science, they enjoy watching practical science but they engage completely when they get to do it themselves.  Ultimate Gross Science will appeal to any child that thinks a fart noise is the funniest thing ever and who has a curiosity about the world and how things work.  This box comes with 12 yucky experiments and is designed for children aged 8+

Got It Cards

Got it Cards are designed to make learning phonics fun and help improve reading and spelling.  There are different packs depending on the phonics level you are looking to build on, and 5 simple games for 2-4 players, all of which are explained in the box.  The games are designed to be short, much like young learner's attention levels and are designed by a teacher.  Neither of my younger two are enjoying phonics videos but when you make it into a game it is a different scenario completely!  We have played several rounds of this and they loved it.

Build Your Own

Build Your Own have an amazing range of eco friendly sets including  a telescope and a plane launcher and an amazing marble run which we were sent.  Fun for ages 8 - 95, you get everything you need to make a marble run, including the marbles, and all the packaging is carboard and easily recyclable.  I don't think marble runs ever stop being fun to play and the art of following instructions and building this is both educational and highly rewarding!. I will update the post with our finished marble run soon!

Botanical World 

For budding scientists, ToysandBears.com have a kit to build a fully functioning mini greenhouse with an innovative watering system.  It comes with everything you need to start growing your own plants and we can't wait to see how our lettuce and rocket comes along!  Aimed at children 7-12 this is a lovely gift for junior school children and it makes learning about science and healthy eating a lot more fun! I think a lot of children had an introduction to gardening and growing during lockdown 1 and this is a great way for them to take control and works even in a small space.

Busy Things App

There are some great online resources for making learning fun and I was so impressed with how well the Busy Things website and app has encouraged my children to learn as they play.  Finn loved a digging for worms game so much that he kept trying harder levels and Cora really enjoyed the word game pictured below.  I can create up to 5 child profiles for children aged 3-11 and I have spotted some great games to work alongside what me older two are covering in their lessons as well. They are currently offering the first month for £1!

Splashlearn App

Splashlearn is an app that focuses on maths games and works alongside the primary school curriculum.  You can choose focus areas and a variety of games for each one.  Anything that makes my children think they are getting gaming time whilst they are actually learning is a plus and for my smallest and more reluctant home learners, these games have been a great way to keep their brains working during this lockdown.  Splashlearn is great to keep them learning whilst they are not able to be in school and I hope it will help them maintain a love of learning when they are able to return to school.

Geomag Mechanics

Geomag is a great resource to support STEM learning and this Mechanics Challenge Goal! set is perfect for children aged 7+.  Magnets are a key part of the science curriculum and an endless source of entertainment for lots of children and this toy combines building with play, learning with fun. If this is a hit then there are loads more sets in this range which look brilliant fun!

I am always looking for creative ways to encourage a love of learning so please share any products or websites that you love too.