Summer Fun All Year Long: The Power of Guided Play in Building STEM Skills

June 06, 2025

Summer Fun All Year Long: The Power of Guided Play in Building STEM Skills

2025 City of STEM - LA MakerFaire ibrick activity

Children are natural explorers, eager to build, tinker, and discover. As a parent, homeschool learning coach, and career educator I’ve always looked for ways to keep that spark alive all year long, especially during the summer. In this post I want to share a little bit more about why I believe this and explain why I’m an advocate for ibrick.

When my children were young and I was a teacher in the elementary classroom, I wanted access to the best resources, so that we could all explore and learn. I knew this formula for learning intuitively because of the way I was raised and for the innovations my teachers used in the schools I grew up in. I could see that play and exploration as powerful tools for nurturing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills. Recent research and educational practice show that when children engage in weekly, hands-on building activities. They develop critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills that last a lifetime.

Why Guided Play Matters for STEM Learning

Guided play, sometimes called play-based or structured play, is a teaching strategy that blends child-led exploration with intentional adult guidance. Unlike free play, where children are left entirely to their own devices, guided play provides a prepared environment, interesting materials, and gentle scaffolding from adults. This approach allows children to explore ideas, ask questions, and make discoveries, all while staying engaged and joyful[1][2][3].

“Guided play, or play-based learning, is an effective way to help children explore STEM concepts in a natural way. It promotes development of skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. This approach combines a playful, child-led environment with intentional adult guidance, fostering curiosity and inclusivity.” [STEMIE, 2025][1]

The Science Behind Guided Play

A growing body of research supports guided play as a highly effective method for early STEM education. Studies have shown that discovery-based guided play leads to greater learning gains than either free play or direct instruction[2]. This holds true across key areas such as spatial reasoning, mathematics, and early literacy.

Guided play works because it:

Harnesses joy and curiosity: Playful activities can help keep children engaged and motivated to learn.
Sets the stage for discovery: Adults prepare high-quality materials and environments, then let children take the lead in constructing knowledge.
Reduces ambiguity: By gently guiding children toward learning goals, adults help them make meaningful connections without dictating the answers.
Integrates new and existing knowledge: As children explore, they build on what they already know, deepening their understanding[2][1].

Structured Play vs. Unstructured Play

Both structured and unstructured play are important, but structured play—where activities have clear goals and adult guidance—offers unique benefits for developing STEM skills. Balancing both structured and unstructured play ensures holistic development, but structured play is especially effective for teaching STEM concepts in a focused, measurable way[4]. The Kids First article [4] does a good job of explaining this.

The Role of Hands-On Building Activities

Hands-on building projects are a cornerstone of effective STEM learning. These activities are more than just fun; they are powerful opportunities for children to:

Experiment with engineering concepts (e.g., balance, stability, design)
Practice measurement and spatial reasoning
Collaborate with peers to solve problems
Develop persistence and resilience through trial and error[5][6]

For example, challenges like building spaghetti towers, designing paper airplanes, or constructing DIY catapults all require children to apply scientific and engineering principles in creative ways. These projects also encourage teamwork, communication, and critical thinking—skills that are essential for success in STEM fields[5].

Weekly Lessons Designed by Engineers

When weekly lessons and monthly projects are crafted by subject matter experts (SMEs) like engineers, children benefit from real-world expertise and authentic problem-solving scenarios. These lessons often:

Introduce age-appropriate engineering and design processes
Encourage children to ask questions like, “How tall can you build your tower?” or “What happens if you change this part of your design?”
Provide opportunities for iteration, allowing children to test, revise, and improve their creations[1][6]
Apps and programs that incorporate family learning—where parents and children build together—can further enhance these experiences, strengthening both STEM skills and family bonds[6].

Research Highlights: The Benefits of Guided and Structured Play

Recent academic research and educational practice highlight several key benefits of guided and structured play for STEM learning:

Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Children learn to identify obstacles, develop strategies, and test solutions in a supportive environment[4][1]
Cognitive Growth: Activities like puzzles, building challenges, and board games boost logical reasoning and attention span[4][3].
Social-Emotional Development: Working together on projects fosters communication, teamwork, and empathy[4][3].
Inclusivity: Guided play is effective for children of all abilities, including those with disabilities, making it a powerful tool for inclusive education[1].
Love for Learning: When children are empowered to direct their own learning they develop confidence and a lifelong love of discovery[3].

Making Summer (and Every Season) Count

The summer months are an ideal time to introduce guided play and hands-on STEM activities into children’s routines. But the benefits don’t have to end when school starts. By weaving structured, playful learning into weekly lessons and monthly projects all year long, parents and educators can help children build not only towers and bridges, but also the foundational skills they need for future success in STEM and beyond.

Practical Tips for Parents and Educators

Set aside regular time for building activities: Weekly lessons and monthly projects provide structure and consistency.
Encourage open-ended questions: Ask children to predict, experiment, and reflect on their creations.
Celebrate both successes and failures: Every attempt is a learning opportunity.
Balance guided and free play: Let children explore on their own, but be ready to offer support and new challenges when needed.

Conclusion

Guided play and structured building activities provide a research-backed pathway to STEM learning that is both joyful and effective. By giving children high-quality materials, thoughtful guidance, and plenty of opportunities to explore, we can make sure that summer fun—and meaningful learning—lasts all year long.

If you have made it this far in my post, I want to say thank you! Ready to help a child (age 5-12) in your life unlock their creativity and STEM skills? Start an iBrick subscription today and use my special Education Program Manager code LAMF25 for an extra 10% discount at ibrick.online. If you have any questions, contact me today—I’m here to help you get started!

Notes:

This post was written by my dedicated human mind, with help from my free and friendly AI assistants: Copilot, Claude, & Perplexity. All sources are current and verified as of the time of posting. ~ Mark