Sometimes connecting the dots in unexpected ways has been the start of a great discovery. In 1905, 11 year-old Frank Epperson left his fruit flavored soda outside on the porch with a stir stick in it. The drink froze overnight, and the next morning he discovered the Popsicle. Ben Franklin flew a child’s kite and electrical engineering was sparked! Today there’s a new toy, Zometool, for kids ages 6 to 16, or teens, young adults and adults that could truly spark the genesis of the next Nobel Prize winner. In fact, many great scientists have already tinkered with these smart building kits.
These sets are meant for kids of any age that may be intrigued by science, architecture, art or engineering. In fact, anyone on that holiday list who likes to ponder with hands-on engagement (without using a hand-held gadget). Zometools received best pick and product of the year awards this year from Dr. Toy and Creative Child Awards and was even inducted into the Made in the USA Hall of Fame! These toys are addicting and are great fun for the whole family. Kids open the box, start to build and then pause. That moment of “hmmm” is the door to discovery; “figuring it out” is the addicting pleasure of every Zometool toy.
I was fortunate to be able to try these great toys out with a group of kids that I help tutor with my church. These kids are all in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade and, for most of them, English is not their first language. We love to give them unique learning opportunities that not only help them to develop their basic skills in math, science, reading, and writing, but that help grow their love of learning, in general.
With this group of kids, I pulled out the Creator 1 System Kit and the Crazy Bubbles Kit. We made a huge bucket of bubble solution and let them make shapes that they could then dip into the solution. We had all kinds of crazy-shaped bubbles, even including some in the shape of houses. Of course, I made it a point to create a few shapes the night before so that they could see the possibilities and start stirring their imaginations. Here are some pictures of what we did:
This activity was great fun for all of the kids and you could tell that they walked away excited about what we are going to do next time. At this point, I’m not really sure how I’ll top it!
Ready to order this now?! We are excited to offer a special code for our readers! It will give you 15% off an order, plus free shipping, and expires Nov. 30. Use the code Simply on the Zoomtool website. Find Zoomtool on Facebook too!
We are SUPER excited to offer our readers a giveaway of choice of Crazy Bubbles or the Pyramid Puzzle. Good luck!
Cara James says
Crazy bubbles kit!:)
Ann Fantom says
I would like to win this for my daughter.
Kristi C says
My children would love the Crazy Bubbles.
Adrianne B says
We’d like Crazy Bubbles!!
edq143 says
I’d pick crazy bubbles
Renee G says
I would pick the Pyramid Puzzle. My boys would love this.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com
Stephanie Larison says
I’d like the Pyramid Puzzle
tamar says
I like the crazy bubbles
Susan Chester says
I would choose the Crazy Bubbles.
Lisa McGrattan says
crazy bubbles, my kids would have a ball with them
Caryn S says
Definitely the Crazy Bubbles
ria clarke says
pyramid
Nancy T says
I like the Crazy Bubbles set.
danielle lima says
Crazy Bubbles
Valerie Taylor Mabrey says
Pyramid Puzzle
vmkids3 at msn dot com
rochelle johnson says
Pyramid Puzzle
Alison Wood says
I’d go for Crazy Bubbles, just because I like bubbles.
Kari Flores says
I would pick Crazy Bubbles.
Sherri B. says
Pyramid Puzzle
Charlene says
I’d pick Crazy Bubbles 🙂
dorothy deakyne says
crazy bubbles
Whitney at It's Gravy, Baby! says
Tough choice, but I think I’d go with the bubbles. Both look neat!
Gianna says
Crazy Bubbles.
karisa says
pyramid puzzle (;
Saver Sara says
Crazy Bubbles
Diane W says
I like PYRAMID PUZZLE
Nicole C. says
Pyramid Puzzle
Maryanne says
Crazy bubbles
harolde says
Crazy Bubbles
Allie says
CRAZY bubbles!
Kerrie Mayans says
I would pick crazy bubbles
Beth Palacios says
I think my daughters would love the Crazy Bubbles. Very cool!
Samantha Meyer says
I would like the crazy bubbles!
susan smoaks says
i would choose crazy bubbles
Brenda Elsner says
I would choose the crazy bubbles.
Cassandra M says
My children would love the Crazy Bubbles thank you
Breanne says
Crazy bubbles
JessS says
I’d pick the crazy bubbles, my son would love them.
Trisha McKee says
I would choose the Pyramid Puzzle
kendra W says
My kids would love the crazy bubbles
Sarah Harding says
I think my kids would like crazy bubbles
Christian Alejandro N. says
Crazy bubbles I think!
Sarah Yurga says
Crazy bubbles