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Engineering:

5. Build a stick teepee. Ask your child to determine where the teepee will go, and have them gather several sticks and branches of different sizes. You’ll need at least 3 good sturdy sticks and a vine or rope. Create a teepee by tying the 3 sturdy branches together at the top and push the bottoms into the ground for support. Add more sticks and branches, careful not to topple it over, and leave a hole in front so you can crawl inside!

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6. Ask your child to engineer an outdoor obstacle course! Ours had tires laid flat to run through, a long wooden beam to balance on, and a slip n’ slide at the end. If you’re into paintball or Nerf wars, designing a course specifically for taking cover and sneak attacks could be great fun! You might use wooden pallets, stacked tires, or even hanging sheets!

Math:

7. Arm your child with a tape measure, pencil, and paper, then head outside together to measure the circumference of nearby trees and record your findings. You can even print out a growth factor chart (found online) to determine the age of the tree!

8. Creating nature patterns is a simple STEM activity. Gather various items of interest, such as rocks, leaves, pinecones, and acorns. Ask your child to arrange the items in a pattern, such as rock, leaf, rock, leaf. This is a fun, hands-on learning activity that beats a worksheet any day!

Rebecca Eanes is the bestselling author of multiple books including Positive Parenting: An Essential Guide, The Positive Parenting Workbook, and The Gift of a Happy Mother. She is the grateful mom of two boys.