How to make learning fun using technology kids already love

Do you constantly feel like you’re badgering your children to get off the smartphone or tablet? They love technology and you simply want them to do an activity that will benefit their growing minds.

Who says you can’t both get your way?

To make learning fun for kids you must first consider the things they already enjoy doing. For kids who love technology — and most do these days — it can be the gateway to many amazing educational opportunities.

Consider these smart activity ideas for your tech-savvy kids. Remember, when learning feels like fun, education comes naturally!

Photo diaries: Forget traditional paper diaries — kids who grow up in a world of Snapchat and Instagram love to take pictures of what they do each day. So encourage kids to keep a photo diary that captures the day’s photos along with fun captions on their favorite devices. Once a season (i.e. end of summer), have them create a photo montage and slideshow as a keepsake.

Music: Kids who love to groove can delve into musical endeavors through numerous apps. Have mini Mozarts manipulate existing music, learn music theory and create a family theme song for the upcoming summer vacation. Check out apps like Piano Pro, Garage Band and more to see if one appeals to your child.

Astronomy: The night sky can come to life with amazing astronomy apps like Star Chart. By using the device’s GPS and other sensors, the app displays star mapping where you are located. Want to know the name of that bright star above you? Open the app, point it at the star and learn more instantly. This free interactive app is sure to inspire stargazers young and old.

Money management: Kids are growing up without learning basic money management skills, but technology can change all that. Track allowance and bank-account balances on a tablet. Older kids can use budgeting apps to save for big items. Young kids can use apps that teach coin and dollar identification. These activities make household money management a natural family conversation.

Presentations: Because public speaking is an important skill, encourage your child to use preloaded tablet apps to put together a presentation on a topic of interest. Want to up the ante? Use a carrot like having kids put together a presentation of where they’d like to go on vacation. Parents will listen to all presentations before considering where the family will go for this year’s big trip. Kids who have anxiety when presenting now have options, an increasingly popular one being CBD oil for children.

Foreign languages: Kids can learn about their heritage or better understand a culture of interest by studying a language on their digital devices. There are countless apps that cover the basics of virtually any language. Kids will be able to say hello in Dutch and goodbye in Mandarin before you know it. Next step: pen pals!

YouTube and blogs: More mature kids might consider growing a TikTok account or blog that focuses on a hobby. Provide great tech experience with collectible reviews, nature exploration, video production and/or managing a blog. Of course, with any social media, adult supervision is required.