The Summer Brain Games are Back!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post.

Last year, we participated in the Summer Brain Games hosted by the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago (though you do the experiments at home!).  Both my teen and my little one loved it, and we'll be participating again this year!  What is it?  Keep reading. :)

Working on one of the experiments from the Summer Brain Games last year!
We'll be participating again this year.

CHICAGO, Ill. —This summer, families are invited to explore the science behind popular carnival games and activities with the help of the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI).

MSI once again is offering families the opportunity to keep kids engaged and have some fun together with its annual Summer Brain Games program. Thousands of registrants from around the country have enjoyed the program the past two summers, participating in eight weeks of free and fun at-home science experiments designed to combat the “summer brain drain,” when kids lose months of critical learning. This year’s Summer Brain Games runs June 16 through Aug. 11, 2014.

Families receive a FREE Museum Entry voucher when they sign up online at msichicago.org/summerbrain (one ticket per household). They’ll also receive weekly emails with detailed instructions on how to build and play eight different carnival activities. Activities can be easily done (with some adult supervision) using items found around the house or inexpensively purchased. Summer Brain Games is sponsored by Jewel.

The free Summer Brain Games activity guide is available in both English and Spanish and can be downloaded at msichicago.org/summerbrain. The science carnival activities and games are a great theme for a child’s party or backyard family barbecue this summer! Learn about pressure as you launch stomp rocket daredevils, become an engineer and design the fastest boat you can race, construct a carnival tent from newspapers and much more. It’s a great way for families with kids of all ages to stay active and enthused as they learn more about the world around them.

“Learning that happens out of school has a tremendous impact on children because it reinforces concepts they learn in school without it feeling like more school time,” said Bryan Wunar, the Museum’s director of community initiatives. “With Summer Brain Games, thousands of kids and their families join us to experiment, learn and have fun together. Their enthusiasm shows there’s a definite need and desire for educational activities that engage kids during the summer months.”

MSI will be bringing its Summer Brain Games science carnival into Chicago’s neighborhoods this summer. Twenty-four high school students who are interning with the Museum this summer will spend time at 18 Chicago Public Library branches engaging children in carnival activities.

Register Online Now for Summer Brain Games 

Families can register NOW at msichicago.org/summerbrain. When the program kicks off on June 16, they’ll receive a voucher good for a FREE Museum Entry ticket to MSI along with discount coupons for the Museum store and restaurant. Then each week, families will receive an email with instructions and tips on each carnival activity and additional suggestions on how play with science during the summer.