My 6-year-old daughter is always asking questions about how things work, which is great. I want to encourage this curiosity, but I’m running out of ideas. What are some fun activities or games we could do together that would help nurture her inquisitive nature? I’m looking for things that are engaging but also educational. Any suggestions from other parents or teachers would be really helpful!
When my kids were young, I remember how much fun we had with a ‘mystery box’ game. I’d put random objects in a box, and they’d reach in without looking to guess what they were touching. It always led to tons of questions about textures, shapes, and what things were made of.
We also did ‘question of the day’ at dinner. Everyone got to ask one big question, and we’d all try to figure out the answer together. Sometimes we’d look things up after dinner if we were really stumped.
Nature walks were great too. We’d bring a magnifying glass and look at leaves, bugs, or rocks up close. The kids would come up with the wildest questions about what we found. 
These games kept their curiosity going strong and taught them it’s okay not to have all the answers right away. The key was making learning feel like play, not a chore.
One thing I’ve tried with my kid is setting up a ‘discovery zone’ in our living room. We rotate different objects or materials each week - like magnets, prisms, or even kitchen gadgets. It’s become a fun ritual where we explore together after dinner. My daughter’s always excited to see what’s new, and it leads to all sorts of questions and mini-experiments. Sometimes we even look up videos about the items to learn more. It’s pretty cool seeing her curiosity grow!
We got a microscope last year. My kids love looking at random stuff - leaves, bugs, even their own hair. It’s pretty cool seeing them get excited about tiny things.
Science kits are hit or miss. Some are fun, others collect dust. Depends on the kid’s interests.
We’ve had lots of fun with a ‘wonder wall’ in our kitchen. It’s just a big piece of paper where we write down questions that pop up during the day.
On weekends, we pick a few to explore. Sometimes we do little experiments, other times we watch videos or read books about the topic.
My kids love adding their own drawings or facts they’ve learned. It’s cool to see how one question often leads to more.
I’ve noticed they’re getting better at coming up with their own ways to find answers too. They’re not always right, but it’s neat to see them trying to figure things out on their own.
I’ve been trying to feed my 5-year-old’s curiosity too. We started a ‘Question Jar’ where we write down random questions and pick one to explore each day. It’s fun, but sometimes I struggle to explain things simply.
Have you tried any science kits or subscription boxes? I’m thinking about getting one, but I’m not sure if they’re worth it or if my kid would lose interest quickly.
What kind of questions does your daughter usually ask? My son is really into how machines work right now. We took apart an old clock the other day and it was pretty cool seeing all the gears inside.