Last month, my kids and a group of their pals (ages 7-11) had a blast playing mechanical engineers with the most engaging, patient and friendly instructor from Play-Well TEKnologies in the comfort of our own home.
“Kids are natural engineers. We help them realize it.”
That’s Play-Well’s motto, and I believe it. I watched with awe as my 10-year-old son (who’d never been much into LEGO® building), my 8-year-old daughter (who’d only liked the LEGO® Friends sets geared towards girls), and a dozen other boys and girls were totally (and quietly!) engrossed for a straight hour and a half — learning about, building and testing motorized LEGO® gear cars.
The workshop was smooth sailing from start to end. First, our instructor Michael explained what engineers are and what they do, what the kids would be creating and testing out that day, and what they must do in order for everyone to have fun – be courteous, collaborate with one another, and clean everything up together afterwards (which they did just beautifully. Thanks, Play-Well!)
To get our young engineers going, Michael taught them how gears work, why they’re needed in cars, and why they must mesh to function properly. And then…the kids were off — scrambling to find matching wheels and various creative design pieces, mounting their motors and gears, and finally, driving their motorized LEGO® vehicles.
Of course, the kids’ main objectives were to customize their cars to look as “cool” as possible, run as smoothly as possible and, for the boys especially, battle as long as possible.
Thank you again, Play-Well TEKnologies! It was a great time for all. I don’t think the kids even realized the workshop was an educational “play date” of sorts – where they learned some fundamental principles of engineering and physics just by playing!
Feelin’ lucky, Mom? If you’re in Southern California (Ventura, Los Angeles or Orange Counties) and you’d like a chance to win a free LEGO® Engineering birthday party (a $300 value!) for your child (ages 6-11), we’re giving one away! No purchase necessary! ENTER NOW THROUGH AUGUST 24, 2015. One lucky So Cal Anita Catch My Breath blog subscriber who enters the sweepstake will be randomly selected to win a birthday party with Play-Well TEK. Oh, and you can increase your odds of winning by spreading the news – you receive extra lottery points (up to 10 total) for each friend you refer who also enters the giveaway. The drawing will take place on August 25, 2015 and the winning subscriber notified within 48 hours thereof.
The winner provides the kids and space, and Play-Well TEKnologies provides 20,000 pieces of LEGO®, a brilliant, engaging instructor, and great hands-on engineering education and entertainment. Play-Well will guide your eager engineers to design, build, and customize unique and fantastic LEGO® creations.
Terms and Conditions:
(1) This giveaway is good for one 90-minute session for a maximum of 15 participants, ages 6-11. (*Larger parties may be available for a fee.)
(2) This party giveaway is available in Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange Counties, California only.
(3) Scheduling will be based on Play-Well TEKnologies instructors’ availability.
(4) Unfortunately, party attendees won’t keep their creations (LEGO® pieces).
(5) Sweepstake entrants will be subscribed to Anita Catch My Breath. Current email subscribers who click to enter the sweepstake will not be subscribed twice (i.e., receive duplicate emails from the blog). And I promise – no sharing of email addresses, no ads or spam, and no fees or charges.
(6) Other terms and conditions set forth in the sweepstakes link below.
To enter, click below!
Pssst. Even if you’re not in So Cal but are interested in hosting a LEGO-inspired engineering class or party, visit Play-Well TEKnology’s website to find out how. Play-Well TEK is in 25 states and 2000 locations across the country.
Viola Shipman says
I would love to win a lego party.
Nancy says
This is SOO awesome! My son is only 13 months, but definitely evernoted this! Thx.