**I received this product for free from MomsMeet (momsmeet.com) to use in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.**
Recently, I was chosen to test out workbooks by TinkerActive . I received the K-2nd books for math and science and have been using them with my 4 year old (the Kindergarten ones). He’s really preschool age, but I thought we could still learn a lot AND have some fun! So below is my experience and thoughts on these particular workbook.
First of all, here’s a good description of the workbooks from the website:
Each workbook starts with interactive and entertaining exercises that cover the essential math, science, and problem-solving skills. Then, apply what you’ve learned with exciting hands-on tinkering, making, and engineering activities that utilize common household materials and encourage kids to learn through play. Packed with curriculum-based exercises designed for all learners (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic), TinkerActive Workbooks offer plenty of practice with at least 8 dynamic pages on each key concept. Plus, the charming and clever citizens of TinkerTown, the MotMots, guide kids through every new concept with cheer and humor.
Vetted by award-winning educators, TinkerActive Workbooks are an excellent supplement to schoolwork or at-home study, and each book is aligned to Common Core State Standards. TinkerActive Workbooks are designed to build your child’s fundamental math and science skills AND inspire them to try new things, discover new skills, and imagine new possibilities—a surefire way to encourage their love of learning.
– TinkerActive Website
My First Unboxing
The supplies all came in a simple box, but it was fun to open up and see everything. I received 6 books, one math and one science for each grade K-2nd. They are also suppose to be coming out with Language Arts books soon as well! The box also contained a double wall stainless steel water bottle that has since accompanied us many places. The boys love using it. There was a pale blue TinkerActive apron for using with projects with lots of handy pockets. There was also two plates, two popsicle sticks, a TinkerActive balloon, crayons, and two “champion” stickers. The craft supplies were for an opening project. Something to start your experience without needing to gather anything. Balloons always go over VERY well with my kiddos!
There is a sticker chart in the back of each book. It allows your kid(s) to chart their progress through the book(s). Each book also contains a hidden magnet INSIDE the back page. This is a prize for the kiddo to reveal once they finish all parts of the book. We haven’t checked it out yet, but it sounds exciting!
They cover an assortment of topics within each subject, as well as using various play methods to educate. My son loved the matching games, spot the difference, mazes, and of course the projects. Anything with fun pictures really, and these books are definitely not lacking in fun images.
Let’s Get Creative!
The projects in each section are awesome as well. As stated above, they utilize household items like tape, glue, popsicle sticks, paper plates, cotton balls, etc. Nothing too crazy or difficult to find if you don’t happen to have them on hand. Some things I gathered from family if I didn’t have it on hand. Each section has a hands-on project page. It’s a great way to apply the information in a visual way. There are always four parts:
Let’s Start! – A list of all the tools and materials to gather for the projects in visual and written form.
Let’s Tinker! – A hands-on project involving found objects
Let’s Make! – A craft or project that requires making something by hand.
Let’s Engineer! – A problem solving project.
We definitely had a blast with projects. To be honest, we did NOT do the workbooks in order. At all. We really just kind of went through picking which ones looked fun. My son was either REALLY into worksheets that day, or wanted NOTHING to do with them, so I let him pick and choose. I did notice that the pages are all perforated, so you can tear them out as you go if you’d like. Some activities were on a full spread. Ripping out pages would make them easier to finish.
Anyway, projects were fun! We went through them all and picked out ones that we were really excited about, as well as the ones that we already had all the supplies on hand. Easy button please! All of them were great home activities and easy to set up. I love having simple play options that will double as teaching moments with my kids. I do enjoy things with multiple uses and purposes!
We’ve been working on our cutting skills, and I recently remembered to buy glue sticks, so we did a craft requiring both. I set my youngest up with paper scraps to glue to a sheet while my oldest and I traced our hands and glued them to paper. He need A LOT of help with the cutting, but loved getting to use a glue stick and attach them himself.
My boys also LOVE all things water related, so we filled a bucket, gathered some different items from the house, and went outside to plop, drop, and splash. We used our eyes and ears to observe different characteristics and counted our items as well. They loved comparing the item that floated vs the ones that did not. Then of course they ended with a water fight. Welcome to my house.
It’s really the most used workbook in our house. We have several that we have collected, but he usually only does one or two pages, and is then done. This time, when caught in the right moment, he wanted to do them all! “More! More!” It was great. I loved seeing what he already knew and helping him through what he didn’t fully understand. Many pages sparked further conversations on planets, recycling, life cycles, etc.
I also discovered that he seemed more interested in the afternoons/evenings, as well as working on them while outside. We made it a family activity and we all had a blast. I had always thought the morning was best because his mood is the best at that time of day, but our lazy afternoon/evenings seemed to be the perfect balance.
My Final Thoughts on TinkerActive:
Overall, I would recommend it as a great complement to any homeschool curriculum, or as a fun, playful way to bridge the gap between school years. It’s full of projects that you could return to over and over again and learn more information. AS I saw with my kiddo though, it’s easy to blow through A LOT of it in one sitting depending on the child’s interest/desire.
TinkerActive Workbooks can be purchased wherever books are sold. They are also available on Amazon. If you purchase through Amazon, please leave your own review/feedback so that other parents can know as well!
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