10 Reasons to Set Aside Schoolwork and Build Something Amazing!

What if you could add an activity to your curriculum that enhances your child’s visual and spatial perception, fine motor skills, patience, problem-solving, creativity, ability to follow directions, pre-reading skills, understanding of physics, and engineering ability?

And what if your child loved it so much he’d choose to do it whenever possible?

We’re not talking about a mythical homeschool solution—we’re talking about plastic building bricks scattered throughout your home, ThinkPlay sets from our curriculum, or Mand Labs designed for teens.

Construction kits might just be the most undervalued educational tool ever. And it’s not just us saying that—research consistently shows how much children learn from designing and building. Wouldn’t you agree that construction is among the most powerful educational processes available?

Here are 10 essential skills your child will develop with construction kits:

1. Visual Perception

Finding the correct pieces and putting them in the right spot takes focus and sharp visual perception. This skill is essential for everything from reading and solving puzzles to advanced tasks like piloting planes or performing surgery. Construction kits strengthen this foundational ability in a fun, hands-on way.

2. Spacial Perception

Converting 2D images into 3D objects is a skill critical in fields like architecture, engineering, and surgery. Construction kits naturally develop spatial awareness in ways that textbooks alone cannot.

3. Fine-Motor Skills

Boys, in particular, often struggle with fine motor skills like writing and drawing. Construction kits offer a natural remedy—they’re fun, engaging, and excellent for improving dexterity. With consistent practice, written schoolwork becomes less frustrating for you and your child.

4. Patience

Everyone could use a little more patience! Construction projects take time, whether following instructions, fixing mistakes, or rebuilding after a sibling’s “oops.” These moments provide valuable character-building opportunities.

5. Problem Solving

Not every child instinctively knows how to troubleshoot or take the next step when something goes wrong. Construction kits create structured chances to determine what didn’t work and how to fix it. If your child creates his own models, the problem-solving opportunities grow exponentially.

6. Creativity

Not all creativity comes from painting or drawing. Construction kits allow kids to explore creativity in engineering and design. How could you make a bridge stronger? What if you built a robin instead of a bluebird? Construction kits foster innovation and creative problem-solving that apply far beyond the playroom.

7. Following Directions

Some kids love following instructions, while others avoid it at all costs. Construction kits strike a balance—they encourage kids to follow step-by-step directions while offering the reward of a completed project they can proudly display.

8. Pre-Reading Skills

Pattern recognition is a key pre-reading skill, and children who struggle to replicate patterns often find reading and writing more difficult later on. Construction kits are a fantastic way to build these skills, especially for kids who find traditional pattern blocks boring. Plus, they introduce foundational math and higher-order thinking skills in a way kids enjoy.

9. Understanding Physics Concepts

Friction, force, mass, and energy are fundamental physics concepts that kids can grasp more easily with hands-on activities. Experimenting with these principles using blocks, gears, or balls makes the learning experience engaging and memorable—far more effective than simply reading definitions in a textbook.

10. Engineering Ability

Some kids are “born engineers,” but traditional textbooks don’t always capture their interest. Give them a construction kit, and they’ll eagerly explore pulleys, levers, wheels, and gears. With time, they’ll transition from exploration to innovation, surprising you with their clever inventions and designs.

Building Skills for a Lifetime

Construction kits are far more than toys—they’re tools for developing critical skills your child will use throughout his life. From creativity to spatial awareness to problem-solving, these kits foster growth in ways no worksheet or screen could.

So, why not set aside the schoolbooks for a bit and let your child build something extraordinary? You may discover that this “play” is the most valuable learning he’ll do all day!