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Home's Cool Learning Activity: Fine Motor Fun for Easter!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=UUtYw0FtVU8&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Janene Russell, one of our Product Managers!Let’s get our fine motor skills working with this fun EASTER activity.Ages: 2-4Supplies:• Cardboard box (if you’re using a delivery box, let it sit for the CDC’s recommended 24-hour “cooling off period.”)• Popsicle sticks (colored sticks are better)• Plastic Easter eggsBefore you start!• Remove any staples or other fasteners from boxes• Empty all plastic bags or packing materials from boxes as they can present hazards to childrenProcedure:1. ADULTS ONLY! Use a knife or scissors to cut small slots into the solid bottom of your box.2. Slip your Popsicle or craft sticks into each slot.3. Show your little one how to place one half of a plastic Easter egg on top of a stick, then have them try. See if they can balance more than one egg on a stick.Pro Tip: For added learning, match each colored eggshell with its matching popsicle stick! When you’re done:• Save your plastic eggs…• Save your sticks for another craft…• Recycle your box!
A former teacher and current mom of two young children, EI Product Manager Janene Russell has more than 15 years of early learning experience! This So Cal native puts her little kid knowledge to good use, guiding the development of the Bright Basics and GeoSafari Jr. lines, as well as various preschool games and classroom resources.
A former teacher and current mom of two young children, EI Product Manager Janene Russell has more than 15 years of early learning experience! This So Cal native puts her little kid knowledge to good use, guiding the development of the Bright Basics and GeoSafari Jr. lines, as well as various preschool games and classroom resources.
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Posted on May 22, 2020
Home's Cool Learning Activity: Make a Balancing Ball Maze https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMnfNl3MbnY&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Michael Sheridan, one of our EI Product Managers!Ages: 4-8Grades: pre-K to 2Supplies: • Cardboard box• Ping pong ball or marble (smaller is more difficult)• Construction paper• Marker• ScissorsProcedure:1. Cut the sides off of a cardboard box. Use a box that is at least 12” x 12” if possible.
2. Cut the side pieces into ten strips, each about 2” wide.
3. Tape or glue construction paper to the bottom of the box to make a flat surface.
4. Write the numbers 1-10 (one number per strip) on the center of the cardboard strips.5. Fold the cardboard strips into a U shape and tape or hot glue the ends to the construction paper all around the inside of the box. Place them at random, number-wise and orientation-wise. Make sure your ball fits through each U shape before attaching it to the bottom of the box.
6. Hold the box flat on your lap (or over a table). Start with the ball in the center of the box and tilt it all around to get the ball to pass through each number. The goal is to tilt the ball through the numbers in order from 1-10 as fast as possible.7. Start a tournament with a sibling or parent to see who can get through the entire course fastest. 
EI Product Manager Michael Sheridan is a jack of all trades! An avid surfer and former international soccer competitor, this outdoor and sporting enthusiast also has a degree in Astrophysics from UCLA and eight years of product development experience in a variety of industries. Prior to helping build EI's science products and brain game lines, Michael developed everything from folding chairs to electric scooters and skateboards!
READ MORE
Home's Cool Learning Activity: Make a Balancing Ball Maze https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMnfNl3MbnY&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Michael Sheridan, one of our EI Product Managers!Ages: 4-8Grades: pre-K to 2Supplies: • Cardboard box• Ping pong ball or marble (smaller is more difficult)• Construction paper• Marker• ScissorsProcedure:1. Cut the sides off of a cardboard box. Use a box that is at least 12” x 12” if possible.
2. Cut the side pieces into ten strips, each about 2” wide.
3. Tape or glue construction paper to the bottom of the box to make a flat surface.
4. Write the numbers 1-10 (one number per strip) on the center of the cardboard strips.5. Fold the cardboard strips into a U shape and tape or hot glue the ends to the construction paper all around the inside of the box. Place them at random, number-wise and orientation-wise. Make sure your ball fits through each U shape before attaching it to the bottom of the box.
6. Hold the box flat on your lap (or over a table). Start with the ball in the center of the box and tilt it all around to get the ball to pass through each number. The goal is to tilt the ball through the numbers in order from 1-10 as fast as possible.7. Start a tournament with a sibling or parent to see who can get through the entire course fastest. 
EI Product Manager Michael Sheridan is a jack of all trades! An avid surfer and former international soccer competitor, this outdoor and sporting enthusiast also has a degree in Astrophysics from UCLA and eight years of product development experience in a variety of industries. Prior to helping build EI's science products and brain game lines, Michael developed everything from folding chairs to electric scooters and skateboards! READ MORE
Posted on May 22, 2020
Home's Cool Math Learning Activity: Addition with Bolts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJEmL0eiGqI&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 3-6Supplies:• Design & Drill Board• Bolts• Drill• Markers• Sticky NotesProcedure:1. Create an equation by writing a low number on each of two sticky notes, a plus sign on another, and an equal sign on another.2. Place the sticky notes on the board, leaving enough room for the corresponding number of bolts above or beneath each.3. Add a fifth sticky note, but leave it blank.4. Show your little one how to place the same number of bolts as the numeral on the first sticky note beneath the note and use the drill to secure them to the board.5. Repeat for the second numeral in your equation.6. Together, add up the total number of bolts, touching each one and counting aloud.7. Have your child write the numeral that corresponds with the total on the blank sticky note to complete the equation.
Sahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line.
READ MORE
Home's Cool Math Learning Activity: Addition with Bolts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJEmL0eiGqI&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 3-6Supplies:• Design & Drill Board• Bolts• Drill• Markers• Sticky NotesProcedure:1. Create an equation by writing a low number on each of two sticky notes, a plus sign on another, and an equal sign on another.2. Place the sticky notes on the board, leaving enough room for the corresponding number of bolts above or beneath each.3. Add a fifth sticky note, but leave it blank.4. Show your little one how to place the same number of bolts as the numeral on the first sticky note beneath the note and use the drill to secure them to the board.5. Repeat for the second numeral in your equation.6. Together, add up the total number of bolts, touching each one and counting aloud.7. Have your child write the numeral that corresponds with the total on the blank sticky note to complete the equation.
Sahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line. READ MORE
Posted on May 18, 2020
Home's Cool Learning Activity: Fishing for Bolts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci3_lddI54g&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 3-5Supplies:• Bowl of water• Design & Drill bolts in various colors• Design & Drill wrench• Plastic cupsProcedure:1. Fill a large bowl ¾ full of water.2. Drop your Design & Drill bolts into the bowl.3. Show your kids how to use the Design & Drill wrench to “fish” the bolts out of the bowl, one by one.4. Place each bolt in a plastic cup as it’s removed.5. Try sorting the bolts into cups by color or creating a pattern with two or three colors in each cup!Sahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line.
READ MORE
Home's Cool Learning Activity: Fishing for Bolts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci3_lddI54g&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 3-5Supplies:• Bowl of water• Design & Drill bolts in various colors• Design & Drill wrench• Plastic cupsProcedure:1. Fill a large bowl ¾ full of water.2. Drop your Design & Drill bolts into the bowl.3. Show your kids how to use the Design & Drill wrench to “fish” the bolts out of the bowl, one by one.4. Place each bolt in a plastic cup as it’s removed.5. Try sorting the bolts into cups by color or creating a pattern with two or three colors in each cup!
Sahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line. READ MORE
