<h3>Tabletop Hockey runs entirely on air, so a lot comes down to a good seal between the balloon, the valve mounts, and the pump. If your puck isn't hovering the way you expect, the tips below should help!</h3>

Tips & Tricks for the Kiwi Crate Tabletop Hockey

Engineering

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Tabletop Hockey runs entirely on air, so a lot comes down to a good seal between the balloon, the valve mounts, and the pump. If your puck isn't hovering the way you expect, the tips below should help!

kiwico news

At KiwiCo, we believe learning should be fun, hands-on, and packed with opportunities for kids to explore, build, and discover. But how well can our crates fit into a classroom? A <a href="https://jscholarship.library.jhu.edu/items/8196b8fa-2c4e-411e-afe1-c1fb13840bfc">new study from the Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University</a> offers some exciting insights!Educators across a large suburban school district implemented KiwiCo learning crates in their classrooms and shared their experiences. Their verdict? KiwiCo crates don’t just complement traditional curriculum—they ignite student curiosity, build confidence, and help develop essential skills for the future.

Bridging the Gap: How KiwiCo Learning Crates Integrate with School Curriculum

KiwiCo news

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At KiwiCo, we believe learning should be fun, hands-on, and packed with opportunities for kids to explore, build, and discover. But how well can our crates fit into a classroom? A new study from the Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University offers some exciting insights!

<h3 id="tutorial-video">Nom Bot is one of our more complex Tinker Crate builds — lots of moving parts, wiring, and mechanical timing all working together. If you run into any questions along the way, the tips below should help!</h3>

Tips & Tricks for the Tinker Crate Nom Bot

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Nom Bot is one of our more complex Tinker Crate builds — lots of moving parts, wiring, and mechanical timing all working together. If you run into any questions along the way, the tips below should help!

Mother’s Day crafts

Mother's Day

Mother’s Day gifts

the science behind

biology

anatomy

You probably already know your mom is amazing. Here's what the science says. Hint: the evidence goes all the way down to your cells.

The science behind

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You probably already know your mom is amazing. Here's what the science says. Hint: the evidence goes all the way down to your cells.

What Science Says About Mom

animals

nature

nature science

What Do Vets Actually Do? The Science Behind Animal Care

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panda crate

learning activity

at-home learning

child development

parent tips

STEM

The Difference Between Educational and Age-Appropriate Toys

Parent tips

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book list

books

indoor project

What Happens in Your Kid's Brain When You Read Together

Book list

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Why Books and Hands-On Learning Go Together

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What Reading Actually Does to Your Kid's Brain (It's More Than You Think)

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earth

Earth Day

What Is an Oil Spill and How Do Scientists Clean It Up?

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activities at home

family activities

sensory activity

plants

garden

nature crafts

food science

food

You don't need a garden bed to grow something real with your kids. You need a windowsill, maybe a spare mason jar, and a little patience. Honestly, some of the most satisfying gardens started in a kitchen. Here are a few ways to get growing this National Gardening Day, whatever your space looks like.

Your Kids' First Garden Doesn't Have to Be in a Backyard

Activities at home

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You don't need a garden bed to grow something real with your kids. You need a windowsill, maybe a spare mason jar, and a little patience. Honestly, some of the most satisfying gardens started in a kitchen. Here are a few ways to get growing this National Gardening Day, whatever your space looks like.

nature walk

Earth Day crafts

plant science

science project

backyard science

outdoor science projects

Some of the best Earth Day moments for kids are quiet ones: a ziplock bag taped to a window that starts doing something unexpected, a seed that shows its root before it shows a sprout, paper made from scraps that eventually grows flowers. We pulled together some of our favorite activities from the KiwiCo DIY library. You just need stuff from around the house and a kid who likes to see what happens.

Easy Projects That Show Kids How the Earth Works

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Some of the best Earth Day moments for kids are quiet ones: a ziplock bag taped to a window that starts doing something unexpected, a seed that shows its root before it shows a sprout, paper made from scraps that eventually grows flowers. We pulled together some of our favorite activities from the KiwiCo DIY library. You just need stuff from around the house and a kid who likes to see what happens.

Easter

Easter crafts

outdoor project

outdoor experiments

outdoor activities

family activity

craft

easy craft

quick craft

science experiment

egg experiment

Easter weekend has a way of peaking at the egg hunt and then fizzling. Kids find their candy, the sugar kicks in, and suddenly it's only noon on Sunday. The good news: there's a lot more fun to squeeze out of this holiday, and none of it requires a trip to the store. We pulled together some of our favorite Easter activities for kids; something for every age and every attention span.

Make Easter Weekend Memorable With These Easy Activities for Kids

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Easter weekend has a way of peaking at the egg hunt and then fizzling. Kids find their candy, the sugar kicks in, and suddenly it's only noon on Sunday. The good news: there's a lot more fun to squeeze out of this holiday, and none of it requires a trip to the store. We pulled together some of our favorite Easter activities for kids; something for every age and every attention span.

game

game design

learning game

physics

engineering

Pinball is one of the most satisfying physics lessons hiding inside a really good time. But here's something most people don't know. For about 30 years, pinball was actually illegal in major American cities.

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Pinball is one of the most satisfying physics lessons hiding inside a really good time. But here's something most people don't know. For about 30 years, pinball was actually illegal in major American cities.

The Secret History Behind Pinball

Your kid just scored in mini golf and everyone starts clapping. But here's the weird part. That sharp "pop" you hear isn't actually your hands smacking together. It mostly comes from air!

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Your kid just scored in mini golf and everyone starts clapping. But here's the weird part. That sharp "pop" you hear isn't actually your hands smacking together. It mostly comes from air!

The Science Behind the Perfect Clap

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The Science of Skating

Bringing Joy Within Reach: KiwiCo Donates 22,000 Crates to Toys for Tot

Bringing Joy Within Reach: KiwiCo Donates 22,000 Crates to Toys for Tots

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Bringing Joy Within Reach: KiwiCo Donates 22,000 Crates to Toys for Tot

Steve’s hidden Golden Tickets in KiwiCo crates at Target stores all around the USA and it’s up to YOU to find them!<img src="https://csicdn.kiwico.com/v3/assets/blt5d966d0d1776691c/blt82947125911794a8/66ad5d43bd3cf245b0e4a2fb/GoldenTicketExample.png" alt="GoldenTicketExample.png" height="auto"/>

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Steve’s hidden Golden Tickets in KiwiCo crates at Target stores all around the USA and it’s up to YOU to find them!

Steve's Golden Ticket Giveaway

KiwiCo, the brand that brings fun, enriching play to kids of all ages, has launched into retail with select crates rolling into selected Target stores and <a href="https://www.target.com/b/kiwico/-/N-q643le17ibh" target="_self">Target.com</a> nationwide mid-July 2024.

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KiwiCo, the brand that brings fun, enriching play to kids of all ages, has launched into retail with select crates rolling into selected Target stores and Target.com nationwide mid-July 2024.

KiwiCo is in Target!

KiwiCo, the brand that brings fun, enriching play to kids of all ages, has launched into retail with select crates rolling into Barnes &amp; Noble and Target stores nationwide mid-July 2024.

KiwiCo, the brand that brings fun, enriching play to kids of all ages, has launched into retail with select crates rolling into Barnes &amp; Noble and Target stores nationwide mid-July 2024.

KiwiCo is in Target and Barnes & Noble!

Did you know that basketball actually has a lot of science behind it? Physics, friction, probability, and more! So what better time to take a look at some basketball science? First, let’s look at the ball itself.

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Did you know that basketball actually has a lot of science behind it? Physics, friction, probability, and more! So what better time to take a look at some basketball science?

Science of Basketball

KiwiCo, the brand that delivers purposeful play, supports Toys for Tots' ongoing mission to bring joy to families in need this holiday season.

KiwiCo Donates 20,000 Crates & Art Supplies to Toys for Tots

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KiwiCo, the brand that delivers purposeful play, supports Toys for Tots' ongoing mission to bring joy to families in need this holiday season.

School and Groups

From Florida to California, and Alabama to Ohio, the KiwiCo Education team has worked with more than 50 Boys and Girls clubs from across the country. We know every Boys and Girls Club is unique and provides for their members in different ways, but is also united by the common goal that every club provides a variety of hands-on STEAM learning projects that are easy to implement, engaging, and make learning and exploring fun. Whether the club is looking to supplement its after-school programs or plan for a special STEM day, we are likely to have the perfect project.

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From Florida to California, and Alabama to Ohio, the KiwiCo Education team has worked with more than 50 Boys and Girls clubs from across the country. We know every Boys and Girls Club is unique and provides for their members in different ways, but is also united by the common goal that every club provides a variety of hands-on STEAM learning projects that are easy to implement, engaging, and make learning and exploring fun. Whether the club is looking to supplement its after-school programs or plan for a special STEM day, we are likely to have the perfect project.

Boys & Girls Clubs Programming

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The Ask: Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama serves 180 students each year across 6 21st CCLC school-based clubs, all in Title I-funded schools. Their mission is “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.”&nbsp;

Developing 21st Century Leaders at Boys and Girls Clubs with KiwiCo

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The Ask: Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama serves 180 students each year across 6 21st CCLC school-based clubs, all in Title I-funded schools. Their mission is “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.”&nbsp;

koala crate

KiwiCo's got options to support those working with some of the youngest budding innovators. From newborns all the way up, there are developmentally appropriate options to get even the smallest of innovators starting to pick up some STEM concepts.

Sparking Interest in STEAM through Early Childhood Development

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KiwiCo's got options to support those working with some of the youngest budding innovators. From newborns all the way up, there are developmentally appropriate options to get even the smallest of innovators starting to pick up some STEM concepts.

Over the last year, we learned that life is and will continue to be unpredictable. But there’s one thing we know we can always count on: the creativity of the KiwiCo community. You’ve continued to show us your boundless ability to make, innovate, and rise above it all. And it’s that perseverance that inspires us to keep thinking bigger and bolder as we strive to empower our kids to build a brighter tomorrow.&nbsp;

How the KiwiCo Community Inspired Us in 2021

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Over the last year, we learned that life is and will continue to be unpredictable. But there’s one thing we know we can always count on: the creativity of the KiwiCo community. You’ve continued to show us your boundless ability to make, innovate, and rise above it all. And it’s that perseverance that inspires us to keep thinking bigger and bolder as we strive to empower our kids to build a brighter tomorrow.&nbsp;

KiwiCo Education is happy to share that our new group fundraising platform is now available! It’s the perfect way to collect contributions from your family, friends, and supporters so you can purchase KiwiCo crates for your class, scout troop, or team event.&nbsp;

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KiwiCo Education is happy to share that our new group fundraising platform is now available! It’s the perfect way to collect contributions from your family, friends, and supporters so you can purchase KiwiCo crates for your class, scout troop, or team event.&nbsp;

Group Fundraising with KiwiCo

Support learning recovery with hands-on STEM learning projects, professional development, and educational discounts. KiwiCo products are available with Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) investments. Be sure to allocate your funding before it expires in the next academic year and ensure that your students are given engaging, enriching, hands-on experiences that can help bring them closer to their academic goals.

STEM Learning Kits Funded by COVID Relief Measures

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Support learning recovery with hands-on STEM learning projects, professional development, and educational discounts. KiwiCo products are available with Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) investments. Be sure to allocate your funding before it expires in the next academic year and ensure that your students are given engaging, enriching, hands-on experiences that can help bring them closer to their academic goals.

Alternative school schedules are making their way to more and more schools. Whether it’s a 4-day school week or shorter days during the week, the goals are often similar. School districts are trying to monitor their budgets, attract and retain teachers, and provide flexibility to their student body(1, 2). No matter the rationale or implementation, specific questions still arise: what is the overall impact on students, and what are these students doing when they are not in school?&nbsp;

STEAM Enrichment Programs to Supplement Shortened School Schedules

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Alternative school schedules are making their way to more and more schools. Whether it’s a 4-day school week or shorter days during the week, the goals are often similar. School districts are trying to monitor their budgets, attract and retain teachers, and provide flexibility to their student body(1, 2). No matter the rationale or implementation, specific questions still arise: what is the overall impact on students, and what are these students doing when they are not in school?&nbsp;

“I’m giving up,” “This is dumb,” and “I’m not doing that” are common refrains heard from teenagers. But this wasn’t the case for a week in October in the Smart Lab at Imagine Prep @ Surprise, a prep school in Surprise, Arizona. What got these students to change their tune and be engaged with an assignment? They were engineering a gravity timer from KiwiCo’s Eureka Crate line.&nbsp;

Building Confidence — and a Gravity Timer — All at Once

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“I’m giving up,” “This is dumb,” and “I’m not doing that” are common refrains heard from teenagers. But this wasn’t the case for a week in October in the Smart Lab at Imagine Prep @ Surprise, a prep school in Surprise, Arizona. What got these students to change their tune and be engaged with an assignment? They were engineering a gravity timer from KiwiCo’s Eureka Crate line.&nbsp;

Whether you are working in a classroom, an after-school program, a camp, or even a club, having themed sessions can tie the whole program together. We're excited to share a list of educator-favorite crate series from elementary grades up through high school.Email schoolsgroups@kiwico.com to <a href="https://www.kiwico.com/schools-and-groups/bulk" target="_blank">set up a time to talk</a> to one of our STEM Experts to learn more about how KiwiCo crates fit within your program.

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Whether you are working in a classroom, an after-school program, a camp, or even a club, having themed sessions can tie the whole program together. We're excited to share a list of educator-favorite crate series from elementary grades up through high school.

Most Popular STEAM Programming Packages

Child’s play is serious stuff. After all, play is how kids learn (and learn to learn!), how they develop social-emotional intelligence, and how they bond with loved ones — and that’s just the beginning. As grownups, we know that play is important, but with so many gizmos and gadgets to choose from, the task of picking the right play essentials can feel overwhelming. Here are some tips on choosing toys that nurture imagination, creativity, and other brain-building assets that’ll set your child up for success.

3 Expert Tips for Choosing Brain-building Toys for Babies & Toddlers

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Child’s play is serious stuff. After all, play is how kids learn (and learn to learn!), how they develop social-emotional intelligence, and how they bond with loved ones — and that’s just the beginning. As grownups, we know that play is important, but with so many gizmos and gadgets to choose from, the task of picking the right play essentials can feel overwhelming. Here are some tips on choosing toys that nurture imagination, creativity, and other brain-building assets that’ll set your child up for success.

Fun. You can't spell “parenting fundamentals” without it. It's so easy to get sidetracked by the stress of parenting — the tears, the spills, the sleepless nights — that we often forget that raising a child can also be downright delightful. So here are five tips to help cultivate more fun, more joy, and less stress when you’re with your child.&nbsp;

The Magic Word We Rarely Talk About in Parenting

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Fun. You can't spell “parenting fundamentals” without it. It's so easy to get sidetracked by the stress of parenting — the tears, the spills, the sleepless nights — that we often forget that raising a child can also be downright delightful. So here are five tips to help cultivate more fun, more joy, and less stress when you’re with your child.&nbsp;

Some babies love tummy time. Others might resist being placed on their bellies in the name of play and exercise (at least at first). But tummy time is worth the time. It’s a workout for the brain and the body — and a wonderful opportunity to bond with your wiggly little baby. Here are just five ways tummy time makes a difference.

5 Reasons Tummy Time is Important for Your Baby (and How to get Started)

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Some babies love tummy time. Others might resist being placed on their bellies in the name of play and exercise (at least at first). But tummy time is worth the time. It’s a workout for the brain and the body — and a wonderful opportunity to bond with your wiggly little baby. Here are just five ways tummy time makes a difference.

The next time your kid scrunches their face to make you laugh or drops their sippy cup to see if you’ll pick it up (for the fourth time in a row), take a moment to consider — and admire! — the brilliant brain behind all those seemingly silly moves.In the first year alone, your baby’s brain doubles in size. By age five, it’s basically the same size as your brain. That’s why brain-building play is so important — it’s the perfect way to harness this period of rapid growth and strengthen the connections in the prefrontal cortex (a.k.a. the command center for everything from problem-solving to emotional regulation).Here are four of the skills your kid’s nifty noggin is working on right now — plus some targeted tips for encouraging purposeful, brain-building play.

4 Everyday Ways to Nurture Brain-building Play for Babies

Child Development

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The next time your kid scrunches their face to make you laugh or drops their sippy cup to see if you’ll pick it up (for the fourth time in a row), take a moment to consider — and admire! — the brilliant brain behind all those seemingly silly moves.

puzzles

Play with puzzles to help your little one become a capable, confident problem solver who knows how to keep at it. Puzzles are an accessible and appealing way to sharpen shape recognition, build memory and math skills, and practice fine motor control – all while enjoying some parent-baby bonding time.Big, bright puzzle boxes. Jigsaw puzzle mats. Wooden pegboards with animal-shaped pieces. When it comes to puzzle toys, there are options aplenty to choose from. But why stop there? Here are some ideas for engaging your little one’s shape-recognition skills, creating puzzles from everyday objects, and repurposing old toys into something fresh, fun, and puzzingly new.

Promoting Problem-Solving Through Puzzles

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Play with puzzles to help your little one become a capable, confident problem solver who knows how to keep at it. Puzzles are an accessible and appealing way to sharpen shape recognition, build memory and math skills, and practice fine motor control – all while enjoying some parent-baby bonding time.

One of the hardest things about parenting is watching your child struggle. But whether it’s developing a new skill (like getting their arms through a jacket) or a new concept (like blowing on hot food to cool it down), little ones learn a lot by working through their frustration and trying again.Luckily, toddlers are curious creatures (sometimes a little too curious). They delight in pushing, poking, and prodding to figure out how things work, and they’ll keep doing it again and again until they’re satisfied. And it’s this repetitive play that also teaches your little one to try, try again, even if they don’t succeed the first time. Here are five ways to help your child build persistence through playtime.

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One of the hardest things about parenting is watching your child struggle. But whether it’s developing a new skill (like getting their arms through a jacket) or a new concept (like blowing on hot food to cool it down), little ones learn a lot by working through their frustration and trying again.

Building Persistence Through Playtime

Now that your baby may be starting to sit up, roll, and get their hands on everything, it’s a great time to help them discover how their bodies and other objects fit in the space around them. As your little one explores the world, they’re collecting information and building their spatial awareness, the set of skills that allows you to understand how your body and other objects fit in the world around you. Basically, it’s the skill that helps you reach for things, walk around stuff, or even read a map — though it doesn’t explain how north isn’t always “up.” (You’re on your own with that one.)These changes are exciting. They’re exhilarating . . . plus, kind of overwhelming. And there’s no way around it. Babyproofing will be an ongoing and probably unloved chore as your baby’s mobility increases. But as you’re busy blocking off unsafe areas, don’t forget to spend some time creating baby-friendly ones. Make some room and encourage your eager explorer to dive in and (safely) explore their world!

5 Tips to Make a Baby-Friendly Play Space

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Now that your baby may be starting to sit up, roll, and get their hands on everything, it’s a great time to help them discover how their bodies and other objects fit in the space around them. As your little one explores the world, they’re collecting information and building their spatial awareness, the set of skills that allows you to understand how your body and other objects fit in the world around you. Basically, it’s the skill that helps you reach for things, walk around stuff, or even read a map — though it doesn’t explain how north isn’t always “up.” (You’re on your own with that one.)

music

musical instrument

Music. It doesn’t just get your feet tapping and your body wiggling to the beat. Music is widely considered to be a building block of childhood development. We pulled together five of the ways that experts say music benefits kids, then asked the musicians of Us the Duo — who just so happen to be parents themselves — for advice on creating musical moments in the home.

5 Ways to Support Your Child’s Development with Music

Music. It doesn’t just get your feet tapping and your body wiggling to the beat. Music is widely considered to be a building block of childhood development. We pulled together five of the ways that experts say music benefits kids, then asked the musicians of Us the Duo — who just so happen to be parents themselves — for advice on creating musical moments in the home.

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