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Today I am talking about Bathtime STEM.

But, first, the backstory.

Oh, summer. How I miss you!

I don’t know about you guys, but I am mourning the end of summer.

There is something incredibly calming about being near water. It doesn’t matter whether it is a pool, or a lake, or the ocean- my kids are their absolute happiest when they are near- or in- water.

We spend every possible minute by the pool during the summer months… especially because summer goes by in a blink here in New England!

Alas, autumn has arrived in the granite state. I love fall just as much as the next guy, but I do miss those splash-filled days.

Recently, I’ve tried to allow for more autumn-friendly splashing by making bathtime educational. I call it Bathtime STEM.

Bathtime is Educational with Bathtime STEM

STEM fun does not have to cost a lot

My children have enjoyed STEM challenges using cardboard boxes and broken pool toys.

They have built forts and fairy houses.

And one time I make a tinker kit for only $5.

That said, I spent a little money on our Bathtime STEM and the learning has been priceless.

When you need to relax but it isn’t pool weather, Bathtime STEM can save the day!

Adding STEM play to bathtime calms children and boosts learning

For many families, bathtime is a key part of the evening routine.

This nightly ritual communicates that bedtime is near, and helps to calm and soothe tired children. A bath can be the perfect end to a busy day, but did you know that it can also be educational? Babies, toddlers, and young children learn best when provided with multi-sensory experiences and nothing delights the senses more than a warm, bubble-filled tub.

With a little planning, bathtime can work on the following skills: play, communication, literacy, mathematics, and STEM!

Today, I’d like to share simple strategies for adding fun, play-based learning opportunities to your family’s favorite evening ritual.

Here is what is in our Bathtime STEM kit:

Boon Water Pipes Bath Toy

These little tubes are fantastic. You can see them in the image above. They stick to the wall with a suction cup, clean up easily in the dishwasher, and provide hours of learning and entertainment. Each tube is a bit different and some even move when water flows through. Add in a couple extras, which I’ll get to in a sec, and you will have peace and happiness during the dreaded witching hour!

Moluk Plui Rain Cloud Tub Toy

You can see my youngest using this rain cloud in the first image of this post. This simple toy provides oodles of fun. Simply fill it with water and let it rain. If you place your finger over the top hole, it stops! It is a great way to talk about the water cycle and a mini physics lesson to boot!

Measuring Spoons and Measuring Cups

This colorful set is affordable and brightly colored. I stuck a couple of those removable adhesive hooks to our shower wall so, at the end of the tub, the kids can hang them up to dry. Best part? This is stealth math! They are learning fractions and measurement while they play!

Home Value 3-Cup Plastic Measuring Cup

One for each of my kiddos and, again, they are learning math while they fill and dump water in the tub!

3 Plastic Rulers

Again, one for each kiddo. It’s amazing how much learning happens when you give your child a ruler!

Crayola Bath Drops

Drop one or two of these in the tub and … boom! You’ve got what my kids call a “color tub”… we’ve been doing this for years and it has yet to become boring.

Crayola Bath Tub Crayons

These are fun, period, but the other night my kids were actually writing math on the wall as they figured out measurements. I love when kids play math!

Glowsticks

This is not an every night thing, but once in a while, I like to give the kids some glowsticks and turn off the lights. I’m not sure how much cleaning is happening, but memories are being made.

Bathtime STEM brings calm to the witching hour

Sometimes the simplest things make for fantastic learning experiences.

We have been enjoying Bathtime STEM for years and the kids remain enamored.

Some evenings, I read a favorite STEM book aloud while they play. Other times, I catch up on podcasts. Either way, hands-on learning is happening through play… and that’s a win in my world.

Love STEM?

So do we! Here are some related posts:

Now, it’s your turn: What are your family’s favorite simple STEM activities? Share here!

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Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley

Cait is a school psychologist, mom to three amazing children, and an unexpected homeschooler. She loves nature, good books, board games, strong coffee, and dancing in her kitchen. Cait believes homeschooling *can* be almost all fun and games!

Cait co-hosts The Homeschool Sisters Podcast and is co-founder of Raising Poppies, a community for parents of gifted and twice-exceptional children. Cait is also founder of the Family Book Club at My Little Poppies, a fantastic community of book-loving parents and the Gameschool Community at My Little Poppies, a vibrant community of gameschoolers.

Cait is a contributing writer for Simple Homeschool. Her work has also appeared on The Huffington Post, The Mighty, Scary Mommy, GeekMom, and many others. You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram
and G+.