Hands-On Teaching Ideas - Activities for Home or School

Helping to Make Learning Fun at Home or School

Welcome to Hands-On Teaching Ideas. As a teacher, and a mom, I enjoy helping children explore their world through engaging, exciting activities. On this blog I share with you lessons and activities that I do at home, and in the classroom – so they are tried, tested and kid-approved!

Latest on the Blog…

Creating an escape room at home or in the classroom has never been easier than with this collection of Top 5 Free Printable Escape Room games. The PDF of each game includes all of the puzzles you need to create your game!

With many science experiments and hands-on activities, children learn about the world around them. However, on Earth Day we tend to do lessons and activities that focus on helping the earth and the environment. These lessons are great to do anytime of year! This collection of 10+ Best Earth Day STEM Activities for Kids are perfect to celebrate Earth Day

Spring is the perfect time for a Spring STEM Activity for Kids. Use simple materials to create a path for an egg to travel back to its nest.

Eggs, flowers and a mystery to solve. Create a spring escape room indoors or outside, with these printable puzzles for kids to solve.

Hands-On Teaching Activity Ideas

View a variety of activity ideas. Some of the ideas are physical and active, others are subject specific and give educators ideas on how to make learning hands-on and engaging. Other activities can easily be done in a classroom, or at home, such as the collection of escape room ideas and simple crafts.

hands on teaching ideas shows a printable escape room puzzles. — Escape Room Puzzles

teaching ideas shows four clay animals. — Clay Animals

clean water experiment shows two cups with layers to make the water clean. — Clean Water Experiment

Seasonal Activities

Each season brings with it lots of beautiful things and nature and unique opportunities to spend outside. Visit your current season or prepare ahead of time with these collections of seasonal hands-on teaching ideas.

spring activities shows a collage of hands-on teaching ideas for spring. — Spring Activities

summer activities shows a collage of hands-on teaching ideas for summer. — Summer Activities

fall activities shows a collage of hands-on teaching ideas for fall. — Fall Activities

Comments (30)

Koula
January 18, 2023

Perfect

Reply
Nancy
April 1, 2023

Thank you so much for all your ideas and plans. Could you suggest any of your kits that would be especially good for young girl teens. This would be in a home or outside a home. I love the DIY ideas and also your complete escape rooms.

Reply
- Teaching Ideas
  April 3, 2023
  
  Thank you for your lovely comment. I personally find that hands-on puzzles (vs. paper) are always well received. I would suggest looking through the collection of DIY puzzles and choosing 5-10 that you think the girls would like (and supplies that you have access to). The space escape room is probably the most challenging, if the girls have any interest in space. If outside, I know the printable outdoor escape room has been enjoyed by older kids as well. I hope that helps and the girls enjoy it. If I can help further, please let me know.
  
  Kelly
  
  40+ DIY Escape Room Puzzles https://teachingideas.ca/2020/05/17/escape-room-2/
  Space Escape Room https://teachingideas.ca/2023/01/19/escape-room-challenge/
  Outdoor Escape Room https://teachingideas.ca/product/outdoor-scavenger-hunt-escape-room/
  
  Reply
Beth
June 16, 2023

Hello. I purchased two escape room print and gos from you, but I am having trouble accessing them. Can you please tell me what to do? Order #24962.
I am sure that the problem is my lack of computer knowledge. Thank you! Beth

Reply
Jill T
September 20, 2023

Hi there, just wondering if you have any activities based around climate change, air pollution from cars, world car-free day (September 22), active transportation (biking or walking)?

Reply
- Teaching Ideas
  September 20, 2023
  
  That’s a great question and great activity idea. I don’t currently have any activities specific to car-free day.
  
  I do have some activities for Earth Day and caring for the earth, if you’re interested.
  – https://teachingideas.ca/2021/07/16/clean-water-experiment/
  – https://teachingideas.ca/2023/04/20/earth-day-activity-2/
  – https://teachingideas.ca/2023/01/05/earth-day-activity/
  – https://teachingideas.ca/product/earth-day-i-love-the-earth-activity-flip-book/
  
  Thanks for reaching out,
  Kelly
  
  Reply
Maria
October 6, 2023

Hi there i was able to print out the Free Escape room printables but I cant seem to find how to set it up. Please email me at —–. Thank you.

Reply
- Teaching Ideas
  October 7, 2023
  
  Hi, thank you for your question and I’m happy to help. If you head back to the Resource Library (where you printed the Free Escape Room) click the link below the image. This will take you to the related activity which includes the set up instructions. If you have any issue finding the instructions, let me know.
  
  Have fun with the escape room. The free printable game is a great place to start if you haven’t done an escape room before. 🙂
  
  Take care,
  Kelly
  
  Reply
Lee
November 7, 2023

How do we access the printable resources please?

Reply
- Teaching Ideas
  November 8, 2023
  
  Thank you for your message. To access the library, you first need to subscribe: https://teachingideas.ca/teaching-ideas/
  
  Once you subscribe and confirm your email, you will receive an email from me with a link to the library where all of the printable resources are.
  
  If you have any trouble, please let me know.
  
  Kelly
  
  Reply
Darlene Mills
November 24, 2023

Can we not purchase these in the US?

Reply
- Teaching Ideas
  November 26, 2023
  
  Hi, than you for your question. Yes, all of the products in my shop can be purchased anywhere in the world. Which product are you having trouble buying?
  
  I’m happy to help if you are still having an issue finding something.
  
  Kelly
  
  Reply
Sydney Dares
December 7, 2023

Hello,
I purchased this product https://teachingideas.ca/product/christmas-escape-room/ today at work, and downloaded it onto my work computer. I waited to print til I came home so I could print color, but now cannot access the product at all!

Reply
- Teaching Ideas
  December 7, 2023
  
  Thank you for your purchase and message. I have sent the file to your email.
  
  If you have any issues opening it, let me know.
  
  Kelly
  
  Reply
Teaching Ideas
January 7, 2024

Thank you for your message. I have resent your confirmation. Right now there is no access code for the Resource Library. There is a link to the library in each email from me. If you didn’t receive a welcome email with the link, please let me know. (kelly@teachingideas.ca)
-Kelly

Reply
Fanie Mohede
April 1, 2024

I just found out your article and read it. It was so much fun and gave me kind of ideas to my kindergarten students. I was looking for Knowledge and Understanding the World activities for kindergarten that based on the theme; Occupation: Architect and Sculpture. Your article about ‘Help Peter to build to the moon is really help a lot and I hope it will suit and proper to my students.

Reply
Kathrin
May 26, 2024

Hi, how are you doing? I have 3 questions. My 1st question is do you have any activities for Memorial Day and 4th of July. My 2nd question is, do you have any Father’s Day activities like the one you have for Mother’s Day? My 3rd question is do you have an activities for birthdays?

Reply
- Teaching Ideas
  May 27, 2024
  
  Hi, great questions, thanks for asking.
  
  A favorite for celebrations, like Memorial Day is Fireworks in a jar. It’s a fun and simple science experiment. https://teachingideas.ca/2023/01/05/easy-science-for-kids/
  
  I’ve recently created a Father’s Day STEAM activity, which you can find here: https://teachingideas.ca/2024/06/03/free-fathers-day-steam-activity/
  There is also a Father’s Day activity (https://teachingideas.ca/2023/06/15/fathers-day-nature-craft/) and I also suggest this Father’s Day recycled seed square and printable activity (https://playlearninspire.com/diy-fathers-day-gift-idea).
  
  For birthdays I would suggest, a printable Birthday Escape Room Game: https://teachingideas.ca/product/escape-room-party-time-print-and-go/ or a DIY hands-on Birthday Escape Room https://teachingideas.ca/2020/09/15/birthday-party-escape-room-for-kids/
  
  Birthday Party ideas (https://teachingideas.ca/2021/08/20/birthday-party-ideas/)
  
  Reply
  - Teaching Ideas
    May 27, 2024
    
    I hope this gives you some ideas. If I can help further, let me know.
    
    All the best,
    Kelly
    
    Reply
Teaching Ideas
June 10, 2024

Hi, thank you for your message. Which escape room are you looking for? I am in the process of switching all of my printable products over to an immediate download. In the meantime, have you received an with a link to the Free Library from me?

Let me know.
Kelly

Reply
- Natalie
  June 10, 2024
  
  I did get the email but it takes me back to the same page and no links to download what I want. I like the Escape room that had the circle that you have to line up and boxes with a bike lockI want to use it for my sons 9th birthday party.
  
  Reply
  - Teaching Ideas
    June 10, 2024
    
    Thanks for your help. Are you able to get into the Free Library? If so, make sure to click the image for the resource you want. The link below the image is the activity description.
    Please let me know if this helps. I checked the other confirmation emails and don’t see a loop.
    
    Thanks,
    Kelly
    
    Reply
apollo pharmacy online
August 27, 2024

Your style is unique in comparison to other folks I’ve read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just bookmark this web site.

Reply
- Teaching Ideas
  August 27, 2024
  
  Wonderful, I’m happy to have you visit.
  
  Reply
Linda
October 28, 2024

I have been trying to order your Halloween Escape Room pages but the cannot get past the “I am not a robot”. It just keeps swirling. Any ideas?

Reply
- Teaching Ideas
  October 28, 2024
  
  Hi, thanks for your message. Is it freezing on the order page? It sounds like an issue loading. I would exit out and try again. The direct link is: https://teachingideas.ca/product/fall-and-halloween-escape-room/
  
  If you are still having issues, let me know. alternatively, the product can be purchased through Teachers Pay Teachers here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Halloween-Activities-Fall-Activities-Escape-Room-Game-For-The-Classroom-or-Home-7301158
  
  Kelly
  
  Reply
  - Linda
    October 29, 2024
    
    Thank you. I did manage to get it to work and ordered the Hallowe’en Escape Room. When will I receive the download? Love your site. Great ideas.
    
    Reply
    - Teaching Ideas
      October 29, 2024
      
      Hi, thanks for commenting, and ordering. There is a link on the confirmation page that you can click to open the file as soon as you order, and an email right away. However, I have sent you an email with the file. If you have any trouble, let me know.
      
      Enjoy the game.
      Take care,
      Kelly
      
      Reply
Debbie
November 15, 2024

hi I sign up a while back and get you emails. I saw the escape room for Thanksgiving and thought I would try it, but i don’t know how to get into the library to down load it, can you help please, thanks

Reply
- Teaching Ideas
  November 15, 2024
  
  Hi, thank you for your question! There is a link to the Free Library in each email I send. When you click the link you will find all of the freebies. When you find the printable you want (the Thanksgiving escape room is currently the first printable) click the image. If you return to the page there is also a grey locked box at the bottom of the page. If you click this box and subscribe through Grow, the game will download right away. This also unlocks the other freebies on the site.
  
  If you have any trouble finding the resources you were looking for, let me know.
  Kelly
  
  Reply

Helping to Make Learning Fun at Home or School

Latest on the Blog…

Top Posts

Hands-On Teaching Activity Ideas

Seasonal Activities

Categories

Teaching Ideas

Reply

Teaching Ideas

Reply

Teaching Ideas

Reply

Teaching Ideas

Reply

Teaching Ideas

Reply

Teaching Ideas

Reply

Teaching Ideas

Reply

Teaching Ideas

Reply

Natalie

Reply

Teaching Ideas

Reply

Teaching Ideas

Reply

Teaching Ideas

Reply

Linda

Reply

Teaching Ideas

Reply

Teaching Ideas

Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply