" "

For CHILDREN ages 7-14 yrs in Brampton West - Registration OPEN for in-person after-school STEM / STEAM classes! Register YOUR CHILD NOW! STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math.

10 Ontario Educational Experiences for Children to Encourage Them to Learn Through Fun

22 September, 2022


          
            10 Ontario Educational Experiences for Children to Encourage Them to Learn Through Fun - Inspirely | STEAM Education

Making learning enjoyable is the #1 way to raise curious, successful children. That's why curating an engaging and interactive environment for your child is such an important thing.

Here are 10 ideas for educational experiences in Ontario - whether they be places to visit, events to participate in, or programs to sign up for - to help your child learn in the best way they know how: having fun.

coding tech kids fest graphic design building blog article publish teaching stem project highschool grade subscription canadian toy kit educational science art math activity brain brampton toronto ontario virtual camp Inspirely steam education blog children teacher kids learning mindset growth school elementary tutor classroom exploring

Can learning be fun? Absolutely! Children are naturally curious, eager to explore, and almost always willing to try new things - as a parent, you just have to know how to tap into all that limitless potential.

One of the best ways to do this is to introduce your children to experiences that are engaging, interactive, and offer them the chance to partake in a style of proactive, hands-on learning. If you can get your child to think of mastering skills and abilities as a game, then chances are that you'll have no trouble at all in terms of their education. 

The biggest incentive for parents to make learning fun is the benefits that it'll provide for their children. Kids who are excited about learning are more likely to voluntarily seek out new opportunities. They look for solutions to problems by themselves. They show motivation to grow. They're more inspired, more dedicated, and more responsible, and their natural love for learning drives them to take risks and build confidence. 

By making education a lively, enjoyable experience, you can teach your child long-lasting qualities that will help them succeed far into the future. But how can you do that in a way that also allows them the room they need to discover things for themselves? 

Tips for encouraging an interactive learning style

  1. Focus towards your child's interests. The first step towards getting children excited about education is to make sure the topic they're learning about is something they're excited about in the first place. Don't push your own desires and expectations onto your children; instead, give them the ability to choose what they learn, and support them on the path towards discovering the things they love and enjoy. 
  2. Let your child have the freedom to explore.Keeping an eye on them is more than okay, but try not to breathe over your child's shoulder all the time when they're experiencing learning in their own way. This lets them see education as a way to delve into their interests without the pressure of tests or deadlines, and that'll help them understand how fun the experience can be. 
  3. Be an active and supportive presence. Get enthusiastic about every goal your child sets for themselves, no matter how big or small. When they talk about something new they want to try, instead of saying "maybe do this instead," say "that's a great idea - I'd love to help you out!" A little support goes a long way when it comes to education, especially when you've already given your child the chance to try things out on their own. 

With all that being said, here are 10 excitement-packed ideas for unique educational experiences in Ontario that can help get your child truly excited about learning and guide them down that path towards success.

1. Ontario Science Centre

coding tech kids fest graphic design building blog article publish teaching stem project highschool grade subscription canadian toy kit educational science art math activity brain brampton toronto ontario virtual camp Inspirely steam education blog children teacher kids learning mindset growth school elementary tutor classroom exploring

First up on the list is one of the most well-known hot spots for curious children. The Ontario Science Centre is famous for a reason - it not only offers unique, interactive exhibits like its space hall or its KidsSpace playground, but it also boasts an IMAX theatre and an endless variety of exciting live exhibitions that can pump up children of all ages. 

Regardless of whether or not your child is scientifically inclined, this Toronto attraction is a haven for youth who are eager to get their hands on the chance to experiment and investigate on their very own. There's even a space dubbed the "HotZone" where audience members have the opportunity to watch live stage presentations and pose questions on any topic they're curious about. 

2. Ripley's Aquarium of Canada

coding tech kids fest graphic design building blog article publish teaching stem project highschool grade subscription canadian toy kit educational science art math activity brain brampton toronto ontario virtual camp Inspirely steam education blog children teacher kids learning mindset growth school elementary tutor classroom exploring

Fascinate your child with the deep-sea experience of getting up close and personal with exotic fish and animals. At Ripley's Aquarium, guests are offered a range of captivating, educational exhibits that teach them about the extraordinary wildlife of the ocean, complete with interactive features like the chance to pet stingrays and explore pop-up submarines. The place is very kid-friendly, too - there's even a special aquatic playground with shark slides and a climbing wall. 

If you and your family aren't feeling up to an in-person trip, the aquarium also offersa wide range of virtual tours and experiences so that your children can learn about the underwater world from the comfort of their own home. 

3. Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory 

coding tech kids fest graphic design building blog article publish teaching stem project highschool grade subscription canadian toy kit educational science art math activity brain brampton toronto ontario virtual camp Inspirely steam education blog children teacher kids learning mindset growth school elementary tutor classroom exploring

Located in the city of Cambridge, Ontario, this one-of-a-kind attraction offers an experience like no other in the form of a 10,000 acre observatory filled with thousands of free-flying butterfly species.

Inside the tropical garden, which is decorated with lush greenery and manmade waterfalls, children can watch butterflies emerge from their cocoons, walk through galleries of live insects, and observe exotic plants, birds, and animals in their natural habitats. 

As a hands-on exhibit, the conservatory is dedicated to an interactive style of learning that is sure to captivate your children with its vibrant displays and beautiful scenery. Don't miss the upcoming monarch tagging event in September, which allows visitors to observe and participate in the releases of migratory monarch butterflies!

4. Royal Ontario Museum

coding tech kids fest graphic design building blog article publish teaching stem project highschool grade subscription canadian toy kit educational science art math activity brain brampton toronto ontario virtual camp Inspirely steam education blog children teacher kids learning mindset growth school elementary tutor classroom exploring art museum

The ROM is a classic destination for field trips and educational summer camps, and for good reason. Toronto's best-known museum hasrecently launched an initiative that invites its guests to explore the entire main floor for free during the summer, giving parents the perfect opportunity to indulge in a high-quality, educational experience for their children without having to worry about admission costs. 

Check out the crowd-sourced #MyPandemicStory exhibit built up entirely with the creations of Ontarian youth, or sign your child up for the museum's Summer Club program packed full of awesome activities for kids - the possibilities are endless. 

5. Legoland Discovery Centre

coding tech kids fest graphic design building blog article publish teaching stem project highschool grade subscription canadian toy kit educational science art math activity brain brampton toronto ontario virtual camp Inspirely steam education blog children teacher kids learning mindset growth school elementary tutor classroom exploring lego toys

LEGO sets are a must for children who are hoping to pursue careers in engineering and technology in the future. At Toronto's Legoland Discovery Centre, which has the privilege of being the only place to offer the "ultimate LEGO experience" in Canada, your child will get the chance to build creations of their very own, including testing model cars on a racetrack and taking part in a special workshop with a certified LEGO master. 

Besides a wealth of fun, hands-on learning experiences, there's also a 4D cinema, a LEGO factory where children can take tours, and Toronto Miniland, a complete model of the city built from over half a million LEGO bricks. With all these attractions under its belt, it's safe to say that Legoland is an environment filled with family-friendly creativity and innovation.

6. London Children's Museum

coding tech kids fest graphic design building blog article publish teaching stem project highschool grade subscription canadian toy kit educational science art math activity brain brampton toronto ontario virtual camp Inspirely steam education blog children teacher kids learning mindset growth school elementary tutor classroom exploring museum gallery explore

The second museum on this list, the London Children's Museum puts forward a uniquely designed educational experience targeted specifically towards stimulating kids' minds.

Unlike the ROM, which offers more general exhibits for audiences of all ages, the London Children's Museum - true to its name - is dedicated in its mission to ignite the curiosity of youth and present them with an immersive experience that values the importance of play in learning. 

Exhibits include a dinosaur gallery where kids can dress up as paleontologists and dig up bones, a system of explorable caves modelled with rock and crystal, and a space station complete with a planetarium and a shuttle for lift-off.

7. Toronto Zoo

coding tech kids fest graphic design building blog article publish teaching stem project highschool grade subscription canadian toy kit educational science art math activity brain brampton toronto ontario virtual camp Inspirely steam education blog children teacher kids learning mindset growth school elementary tutor classroom exploring animal zoo petting pet lion tiger deer farm

Another very well-known Ontarian attraction, the Toronto Zoo is the perfect place for children and families who wish to learn more about all the intriguing and diverse animals that populate our Earth. With displays and exhibits of wildlife from all seven continents, the zoo is a wealth of information presented in a way that's interactive, safe, and - most of all - tons of fun for kids. 

Ever-popular animals like the giant pandas and the African penguins make up the zoo's impressive collection of over 500 different species, and exciting additions like the 2-acre Splash Island and the Gorilla Climb ropes course ensure that your children will be thoroughly entertained.

8. Legislative Assembly of Ontario

coding tech kids fest graphic design building blog article publish teaching stem project highschool grade subscription canadian toy kit educational science art math activity brain brampton toronto ontario virtual camp Inspirely steam education blog children teacher kids learning mindset growth school elementary tutor classroom exploring ontario legislative queen ottawa building

While it may not seem like the most kid-friendly spot at first glance, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario - located in the capital city of Ottawa - actually offers a program called "Family Fun Fridays", where parents are invited to bring their children along and learn about the ins and outs of Provincial Parliament in an easy-to-understand and engaging package.

Available for kids age 6 - 12, the free two-hour program introduces your child to the Legislative Chamber through a variety of enjoyable, hands-on activities, like dress-up, arts and crafts, and a scavenger hunt that offers visitors the chance to explore the iconic building from top to bottom.

9. Art Gallery of Ontario

coding tech kids fest graphic design building blog article publish teaching stem project highschool grade subscription canadian toy kit educational science art math activity brain brampton toronto ontario virtual camp Inspirely steam education blog children teacher kids learning mindset growth school elementary tutor classroom exploring art gallery of ontario museum painting

For a place to get your aspiring artist children excited about creating, look no further than the Art Gallery of Ontario. With new and beautiful exhibitions that update every few weeks, there'll consistently be something new to inspire your kids and stimulate their natural creativity and imagination. 

Admission is always free for everyone under 25 years of age, and the AGO also offers a huge selection of child-friendly programs and workshops for them to get the chance to do things like learn the basics of comics, try out digital graphic design, and even create their own family album.

10. 100% Virtual Kid-Friendly Events

coding tech kids fest graphic design building blog article publish teaching stem project highschool grade subscription canadian toy kit educational science art math activity brain brampton toronto ontario virtual camp Inspirely steam education blog children teacher kids learning mindset growth school elementary tutor classroom exploring zoom virtual

Learning is always important - but not always convenient. On days where you and your family just can't find the time to take your child for a trip outside, why not let them try out a completely virtual online event that offers the same immersive, interactive experience that in-person programs do while saving on your precious time and effort?

At Inspirely | STEAM Education, we offera variety of fun, engaging events and programs designed specially to help children ages 6 - 14 learn in the most inviting way they can. These programs span the five subjects involved in our core belief of STEAM education: science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

From virtual field trips to places like Australia and Switzerland to classes that ask questions like "what if there was no electricity?", Inspirely has something to cultivate every child's curiosity, helping them develop a natural love for learning that teaches them crucial skills and strengthens their character.

At Inspirely | STEAM Education, we believe in valuable experiences for kids and their families. For more resources designed for parents and children ages 6 - 14,explore our website and follow our social media accounts to learn more about our kid-friendly STEAM programs and our commitment to empowering the next generation of youth.

" "