Don’t sit around on couch with your the family this season watching a bunch of TV. Engage with each other over science. Yeah, I said science.

Parents, you don’t have to be a STEM guru (or a homeschool parent) to do science activities with your kids. Studies show that children who do tinker with science (and STEM stuff) at home do better in science in school and build important life skills like patience and confidence.

While you do the activity remember these objectives:

• Build science literacy: learn and use the STEM words that the activity uses
• Promote a growth mindset: if you mess up, it’s okay to keep trying
• Involve everyone: take turns and let ALL family members contribute
• Have fun: STEM can be fun (not fussy) and stress-free; remember to laugh at your mistakes

Below, check out the list of blogs and online resources that are designed to help parents do science activities at home with their families. You might even find that you like it. Don’t focus on getting everything “right” and don’t worry about the mess. STEM can be messy sometimes.

• The STEM laboratory
• Teachers are Terrific
• Momgineer
• The Maker Mom
• Smore
• Little Bins for Little Hands
• Home Science Tools

That’s it for now. There are lots more. Some of the activities can take some time to prep for (for example, creating a STEM escape room). Make the prep part of the experience. In other words, everyone helps prep (not just the parents).

Remember, have fun and keep dreaming big.