6 screen-light learning activities for kids aged 3–10

For ages 3–5, try a colour hunt or a picture story. For ages 6–8, compare shadows or build a paper bridge. For ages 9–10, keep a nature journal or invent a pattern. These age bands are starting points; adapt to your child's interests and comfort.

A parent or responsible grown-up should choose the materials and supervise. Avoid small loose parts with young children, keep the area clear, and stop or simplify an activity if it becomes frustrating.

Ages 3–5

Go on a colour hunt

What you need: Paper and crayons; large everyday objects already in your room.

Draw three large patches of colour on a sheet of paper.
Ask your child to point to objects in the room that match each colour. Leave heavy, sharp or fragile objects where they are.
Count the matches together and let your child choose the next colour.

Ask together: Can you find two things with the same colour but different shapes?

Make it your own: Start with one colour. Add a second sorting rule, such as round objects, when your child wants another challenge.

Ages 3–5

Tell a three-picture story

What you need: Paper and crayons.

Draw a character, a place and something the character finds.
Ask your child to tell you what happens first, next and at the end. They can point or draw instead of speaking.
Draw a new ending together, or ask your child to narrate while you write their words.

Ask together: What could your character try if their first idea does not work?

Make it your own: Use familiar people and places first. Older children can add speech bubbles or write a short ending.

Ages 6–8

Notice how shadows move

What you need: Paper, a pencil and a large opaque object on a stable surface near daylight.

Place the object so its shadow falls on the paper. Mark the object's position and trace the shadow.
Leave the setup in the same place. Return later in the day and trace the shadow in another colour.
Compare the outlines. Note what changed and what stayed the same.

Ask together: How could we check whether moving the object changes the result?

Make it your own: Younger children can describe the outline. Older children can record the time beside each tracing. Never look directly at the sun.

Ages 6–8

Build and compare paper bridges

What you need: Two stable books of the same height, paper and large paper blocks.

Place the books a small distance apart on a table and lay one sheet of paper across the gap.
Add large paper blocks one at a time and count how many the paper holds. Keep fingers away from anything that might fall.
Fold a fresh sheet into a zigzag, bridge the same gap and repeat with the same blocks.

Ask together: What changed when we folded the paper?

Make it your own: Change one thing at a time: the paper shape or the gap. Do not climb on the setup or use heavy weights.

Ages 9–10

Make a nature observation journal

What you need: A notebook and pencil; an outdoor place a grown-up has checked.

Choose a plant or tree to observe without picking or tasting anything.
Draw what you see and label its colours, shapes and surroundings. Write one question you cannot yet answer.
Return with a grown-up on another day. Compare your drawing and record a change, or note that nothing obvious changed.

Ask together: Which parts of your notes are observations, and which are guesses?

Make it your own: A view from a window works too. Younger children can draw one leaf shape while an adult writes their description.

Ages 9–10

Invent a pattern and explain its rule

What you need: Paper and coloured pencils.

Draw a short pattern using shapes, numbers or colours, then leave a blank space.
Ask someone else to extend it and explain the rule they used. More than one rule may fit a short pattern.
Add another part of the sequence to show your intended rule, then swap roles.

Ask together: Could a different rule fit the same first three items?

Make it your own: For younger children, alternate two colours. For older children, combine a colour rule with a number rule.

How do I choose an activity for my child?

Start with something your child already enjoys and one clear task. Offer a choice between two ideas, help them get started, then leave space for their own approach. There is no need to finish every step or make an identical result.

Do I need to buy an ExploreWithPihu kit?

No. The activities on this page use the materials listed above. To ask about kits or school activities, explore the available formats or send a parent or school enquiry. Confirm current availability, pricing and delivery with the team before ordering.