Problem Solving

Playful problem solving now can help kids adjust to a changing environment, navigate key relationships, and contribute to their family, local and broader communities.

In this Tinkergarten Anywhere series:

9 video lessons to learn at your child’s pace
Designed for ages 2 to 8 years old
Additional activities to keep learning all week long
Parent tips to help you support your child.
Lesson map & badge to celebrate progress.

Start Now: $49

The Importance of

Problem Solving

There’s no skill more essential to our children’s future success than problem solving—no matter how you define success. It’s so important that the World Economic Forum identified complex problem solving as the #1 skill people will need to thrive in the future. That’s why problem-solving is one of the 8 core skills we help kids develop in the Tinkergarten program.

Early in life, children’s minds are flexible and hungry to make sense of the world, creating a drive to explore, uncover problems and test hypotheses. The kinds of experiences we offer our children and the way in which we support them help them turn their infinite capacity for wonder into strong, flexible problem solving skills. Our Problem Solving series is designed to strengthen a new problem-solving mindset each week—all through joyful outdoor play.

What you get in this series

LESSON

Our Discovery Tools

Imagination

Exploration

Mindfulness

We’ll kick off our winter season by using our senses to discover what is so special about nature today—wherever we live. We’ll go on a sensory hunt for treasures, then use our treasures to “brew” our own pretend teas. Then, we’ll enjoy one of our favorite traditions—an outdoor tea party!

LESSON

We Wonder...

Mindfulness

Imagination

Exploration

At the heart of problem solving is wondering about the things we notice in our world. Today we’ll wonder about how the animals in our biomes thrive during the winter—even when it may be hard to survive. Then, we'll use whatever is around us to build our own cozy nests.

LESSON

How Big? How Much?

Problem Solving

Exploration

Creativity

Everyday problems often involve how much of something we have or need to share. Exploring non-standard measurement is a terrific way to help kids explore how to measure and quantify in playful ways. Today we’ll explore how we can use our bodies and simple, everyday objects to measure, describe and compare objects around us.

LESSON

Find a Balance

Balance

Movement

Independence

Today we’ll explore physics concepts in playful ways. We'll test out how scales and balance boards operate to discover new ways we can balance our bodies and the objects around us.

LESSON

Sky Colors

Imagination

Creativity

Exploration

We often rush about and miss the amazing backdrop nature provides us in the sky. Today we’ll get inspired to use frozen paint to explore freezing and melting as we create our own version of a colorful sky at sunset.

LESSON

Is Air There?

Exploration

Movement

Mindfulness

This time, we'll explore air and wind resistance to learn more about gasses and study something that can be hard to see. Taking inspiration from scientists who use everyday objects to learn about the wind, including using wind flags, parachutes and more.

LESSON

Mystery Walk

Problem Solving

Imagination

Teamwork

Today we have a mystery to solve together... Who left the paw prints? Where do they lead? Together, we’ll wonder how the clues are connected and how they can help us solve the mystery. And, we’ll learn to search for animal tracks on our own.

LESSON

Nest for Explorers

Teamwork

Problem Solving

Creativity

When we work together as a team, we can solve big problems! In this lesson we’ll take on a team challenge to play like nesting birds to build a human-sized nest large enough for all of us to fit inside!

LESSON

Earth Helpers

Gratitude

Imagination

Teamwork

In our last session of the series, we ask, “How can we be helpers to the Earth?” Creating a healthier planet can feel like a big problem to solve, but each of us—kids included—can take small actions that, together, add up to a big impact.

Get all video lessons to watch anytime, anywhere and learn at your child's pace. Plus get a lesson map, skill badge and additional activities to keep outdoor learning fun and easy.

Get the full series: $49

Browse other Tinkergarten Anywhere series

At Tinkergarten we help your child develop a foundation of vital life skills. When kids complete a class they earn a one-of-a-kind, iron-on skill badge.

Wellness

Wellness is the combination of physical and emotional health that kids need to thrive. Kids will move their bodies, cultivate calm and connect with nature—all tools to be and stay well.

In this series, kids will explore:

Focusing awareness on the present moment
Taking risks
Embracing change
Creating a sense of belonging
Practicing gratitude, kindness and joy

Learn more

Sensory

Everything our kids learn is filtered through their senses, and each child has a unique sensory system. Our curriculum is designed to help each child strengthen and balance their senses in the great outdoors.

In this series, kids will explore:

Gathering information through our senses
Asking essential questions
Focusing attention
Fostering each sensory input
Activating multiple senses at once

Learn more