Affordable STEM Activities to Fill Your Kid's Easter Baskets

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     If you pay attention at all to what is going on in education today, you have probably heard a lot about STEM.  In an effort to make students more competitive in today's world, a lot of emphasis is being placed on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.  Those are the jobs that will provide the best income today and in the future and those are the areas where jobs will be available.  
     STEM is a interdisciplinary and applied approach to learning these subjects.  In other words, these subjects are taught all mixed together, with hands-on learning. I feel that this is the most sensible and effective approach to teaching and learning.  I have found as I look at STEM activities, they actually include things that we have always seen children play, but now we can see that these activities have practical purposes.  
     My daughter, Alicia is a Science Teacher and she also has two very young children of her own. She is already trying to make sure that they are starting out with STEM activities to get their minds working at a young age.  Recently, she and her family were visiting us in Phoenix and we took a trip to Dollar Tree where we shopped for STEM activities for my grandchildren's Easter Baskets.  Dollar Tree has great products that help kids develop STEM skills. They’re perfect for an Easter basket because although they’re educational, they’re fun! And, BONUS, everything only costs $1.00!  We put together two Easter Baskets full of Dollar Tree goodies! One geared toward younger kids (from toddler age). And one for older kids (upper elementary age).

     I actually filmed a video of my daughter explaining how our choices fit into the STEM categories. But, before I show you that, let me show you a few of my favorite choices here:

I love these  question and answer science books available at Dollar Tree! They come in various subjects and are full of information.  Not only are there science books, but also history books. There are a total of 6 different books. My oldest grandson loves non-fiction science books and these are perfect for him. The whole set would be perfect for a classroom and you can't beat the price. If you order them online, they come in a case of 36 books, so that is enough to share among a few classrooms. 

     Even your Easter Candy can be STEM related with these Jurassic World Dino Eggs filled with candy! My grandson who just turned 3 has been able to name almost all of the different types of dinosaurs for awhile.  I am so impressed with him.  Now he will be able to name them and eat them! 

There are a couple of varieties of these Growing Crystals kits that are so fascinating for the whole family to watch! Science in action! Once again, if you order them online, you get 24 in a case, so an entire classroom could do this project. 

Of course, not everything has to be STEM! We loved the Easter Egg shaped baskets and the Chocolate Scented Plush Bunnies available at Dollar Tree as well! 

     There are so many more choices, so watch the video and Alicia will explain them all to you! At the beginning she will show the basket for younger ages and then the older elementary one comes after that, so stay tuned.
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So, there you go! Expand your children's minds, get them excited about fun "toys" and it is all at an affordable price! That is one full Easter Basket! The great thing is that you can either order them online or go to the store and see all of the fun Easter things on Dollar Tree's shelves now! 
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