On those lazy summer afternoons, there’s nothing like a fun puzzle or maze to keep your third grader fascinated. You can find books of mazes in toy shops, but with a piece of corrugated cardboard, a marble, and some bendable drinking straws, you and your child can make a three dimensional toy that you can enjoy again and again. And while you’re busy crafting, remember this: for third and fourth graders, mazes are an excellent math tool. Teachers encourage kids to explore them as a way to strengthen logical reasoning and spatial thinking, both of which are crucial to success in geometry. Kids will benefit from this activity if you make the maze, but the learning will be even deeper if your child designs it herself. With these simple materials, that should be a snap!
What You Need:
- Flat piece of corrugated cardboard, 12”x18” or so
- Box of bendable drinking straws
- Exacto knife
- Plastic mesh bag, such as for onions or oranges
- Hot glue gun
- Ruler and pen
- Bright colored marker
- Marble
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