STEM Bins & ThinkFun: Engaging My Third Graders

Hey fellow teachers and parents!

Let’s be real, teaching 3rd grade or keeping elementary kiddos engaged at home can feel like a whirlwind! We’re always juggling so many things, and it feels like there’s never enough time to reach every single learner. That’s why I’ve been loving these two simple yet effective strategies to keep my students—and your kids—engaged and learning: STEM Bins and ThinkFun games.

Why STEM Matters (Even in Third Grade!)

STEM isn’t just for high school anymore! It’s all about those essential life skills: problem-solving, creativity, and that “never-give-up” attitude. My little learners need these skills now more than ever, and these activities help them build them in a fun and engaging way.

I also focus on fostering perseverance through logical reasoning skills, STEM challenges, and real-world applications that are multi-step. These activities not only encourage critical thinking but also help children see how their learning applies beyond the classroom. I prefer this approach over simply teaching higher content because it accesses higher-order thinking skills, which are essential for long-term growth and success.

STEM Bins: Easy to Set Up, Big Impact (Classroom or Home!)

I created these awesome STEM bins filled with all sorts of goodies like building bricks, pipe cleaners, index cards/tape, Plus Plus, magnetic blocks, brain flakes, and more. The kids love exploring them, and the best part? They’re just as easy to use at home as they are in the classroom! I use the ULTRA sturdy pencil boxes to organize the materials, which makes them compact, affordable, and super easy to store away when not in use.

Here’s why I love them:

Differentiation made easy: Even my highest flyers are challenged, while all kids can participate at their own pace.
Hands-on learning: Kids are learning by doing, which is way more fun than just worksheets!
Builds important skills: They’re developing fine motor skills, creativity, problem-solving skills, and cooperation as they work together to solve challenges.
Teaches perseverance: Sometimes things don’t go according to plan with these activities, and that’s okay! It teaches kids to keep trying and find new solutions.

Want to make your own STEM Bins? I’ve created STEM Bin labels and idea cards that make it super easy to get started, and they’re available in my Etsy store, TeachThriveLearn. They’ll save you time and help keep everything organized! I have 12 bins in total and 44 inspiration cards for their building needs. They are fully customizable. Download the editing instructions with your purchase and edit in Canva’s free account!

Beyond the Bins: ThinkFun Games

I’ve slowly been adding to my collection of ThinkFun games, and they are a HUGE hit both in the classroom and at home!

Laser Maze: These kids get SO into figuring out how to guide that laser beam. It’s amazing to watch their focus and problem-solving in action.
Gravity Maze: This one is a real brain teaser! They have to plan and strategize to get the marbles to the goal. (I own two! One at school and at home.)
Roller Coaster Challenge: This game is pure magic for budding engineers. Kids design working roller coasters, and it’s as exciting as it sounds! It boosts critical thinking and creativity.
Snap Circuits: A perfect introduction to electrical engineering! Kids can create working circuits to light up bulbs, run fans, and more. It’s hands-on, educational, and endlessly fascinating.
Kanoodle: I don’t own this one yet, but getting it for my son’s birthday next week. I’ve heard amazing things!

These games are challenging but not frustrating, which is key for keeping third graders—and younger siblings—engaged and excited to learn. Plus, they’re easy to incorporate into your home routine for some quality learning time. Strategy games like Cribbage and Scrabble are also incredible for young minds. They promote logical reasoning and teach kids how to think steps ahead, just like in STEM challenges. For more on my favorite educational games, check out my Educational Games blog category.

The Bottom Line:

STEM Bins and ThinkFun games are a fantastic way to add some excitement and challenge to your classroom or home. They’re affordable, easy to implement, and kids absolutely love them. Whether you’re a teacher looking for engaging activities or a parent wanting to encourage creativity and problem-solving, these tools are a must-have!

I hope this gives you some ideas to try in your classroom or at home. Happy teaching and parenting!