Edutainment: How to make learning fun for kids

Do you have a child who finds learning tedious or battles to pay attention?

"Edutainment" (education + entertainment) is a great way to get kids excited about learning.

TV producer and writer Bob Heyman is believed to have coined the term. It's a creative and fun way to help children learn.

We often see it in popular children's shows like 'Sesame Street', 'Bluey', and 'Ms Rachel'. Some schools have also incorporated edutainment into the classroom, especially in earlier grades.

You don't need a classroom to try out these edutainment activities. Here's how you can make learning more enjoyable for kids.

Outdoor learning

Nature-based learning has been proven to have many benefits. According to Nature Learning, daily contact with nature helps enhance cognitive abilities and can also support creativity and problem-solving.

It's also a good excuse to get kids out of the house and away from the TV. Do some research about a nearby park and make a list of some of its unique features. The list can include:

Rare plants and flowers
Old trees
Birds, squirrels, lizards, butterflies and other wildlife
Water features like ponds

You can then have a scavenger hunt with your children by placing clues at some of the features that include educational information and fun facts about the park's ecosystem.

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Learning through music

Music is one of the best ways to improve your child's memory. The alphabet song is the perfect example of how we use music for learning. Catchy songs get stuck in your head all day, and even years later, many of us still remember the words to 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'.

But the benefits of music go beyond memory. It can also improve pronunciation, expand vocabulary, and even help children grasp complex concepts when taught through song.

Simply playing music in the background during study time can help reduce anxiety and create a positive learning environment.

Make shopping edutainment

Teach your children about finance, budgeting and organisation by including them in the grocery shopping process.

You can split your list into two parts and let them find simple items based on their budget. They can use simple math to add and subtract as they go along.

ALSO READ: Mom shares R5,000 monthly grocery haul

Home DIY activities

Kids love baking and participating in activities that allow them to make things from scratch. Bake cookies together to teach your children how to follow recipes, measure ingredients, and set temperatures.

You can also try the popular spaghetti and marshmallow tower project. This activity teaches kids how to problem-solve, some basic math and science, and teamwork. Additionally, it helps with their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

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Screen time doesn't have to be bad

Many parents try to reduce their children's screen time or eliminate it to avoid brain rot. However, screen time doesn't have to be a bad thing.

Instead of endlessly scrolling on TikTok and spending hours watching YouTube videos, encourage your children to watch videos that combine education and entertainment.

Apps like Duolingo and Prodigy make learning fun, while documentary channels like National Geographic Kids and BBC Earth explore the world in attention-grabbing ways.

If your kids love watching YouTube, encourage them to learn a new skill on the platform, such as how to edit videos or create stop-motion animation videos.

ALSO READ: Parents' screen time habits affect children's usage