10 Reasons to Tell Your Kids to Stop Doing School and Go Build Something!

Want a way to supercharge your homeschool day and keep your kids excited to learn? What if one activity could improve your child's visual perception, fine-motor skills, patience, problem-solving, spatial awareness, creativity, ability to follow directions, early reading readiness, physics sense, and even engineering know-how?

Guess what—it already lives in your house. Think LEGO sets scattered underfoot, ThinkPlay kits from our preschool curriculum, and iBricks and Fischertechnik builds that challenge older kids in the best ways.

We believe building is one of the most powerful learning tools out there. And no, we're not just saying that because we love engineering (though we do). Research backs us up: kids learn a ton when they design, tinker, and create. Here's why we say construction kits belong in every homeschool.

1. Visual Perception

Kids sharpen their visual perception every time they hunt for just the right piece and figure out where it goes. This skill helps them read books, solve puzzles, and—if they ever become detectives—spot clues that others might miss. Pretty useful, right?

2. Fine-Motor Skills

Tiny hands get a serious workout with snapping, twisting, and connecting. Kids who struggle with writing will often thrive with building—and the more they build, the easier writing gets. That's a win-win for everyone.

3. Patience

Building takes time. Kids learn to slow down, follow instructions, and fix mistakes when something collapses or a piece ends up in the wrong spot. Construction quietly builds character while no one's looking.

4. Problem-Solving

Whether your child follows step-by-step directions or dreams up wild new inventions, he'll constantly encounter obstacles and learn to overcome them. That "uh-oh" moment becomes a golden chance to think things through.

5. Spatial Perception

Turning 2D instructions into 3D builds trains the brain in powerful ways. This skill matters whether your child plans to become a builder, a baker, or, yes—even a brain surgeon.

6. Creativity

Not all creativity comes with crayons. Builders stretch their imaginations by tweaking designs, swapping colors, and inventing entirely new structures. The only limit? How many pieces he can find before the dog gets one.

7. Following Directions

Some kids need practice sticking to a plan. Construction kits offer just the right mix of structure and fun. Kids who follow directions get the instant reward of something awesome they built themselves—perfect for impressing Dad or showing off to Grandma.

8. Pre-Reading Power

Kids who can copy a pattern build skills they'll need for reading, writing, and math. But if your learner groans at pattern blocks or sighs through worksheets, hand him a building kit and let the learning happen on his terms.

9. Physics Without the Pain

Friction, mass, force, motion—kids absorb these concepts so much faster when they feel them in action—no dry textbook required. Just give them a ramp and a ball and let discovery roll.

10. Real-World Engineering

Some kids light up the moment gears, pulleys, and axles hit the table. These are the future engineers—and they don't always learn best from books. Let them build, explore, and innovate. You'll be amazed at what they figure out on their own.

So What Are You Waiting For?

Clear a corner of the table. Dig out the bricks, kits, or random wheels. And then, let your kids stop doing "school" for a bit and start building something incredible.