National STEM/STEAM Day on November 8th is a celebration of innovation, curiosity, and hands-on learning. STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, has evolved to include the "A" for Art, recognizing how creativity plays a critical role in problem-solving and innovation. This integration, known as STEAM, emphasizes that fostering creativity is just as important as mastering technical skills. At TPG Creations, we believe that every child is an artist, and our Kwik Stix, Wonder Stix, and Magic Stix are perfect tools to help nurture creativity and imagination in children as they explore STEAM concepts.
Why Creativity Matters in STEAM
Creativity is the heart of STEAM learning. While STEM focuses on logic, science, and math, adding the "A" highlights the importance of design thinking, imagination, and artistic expression. Creativity allows children to think outside the box, visualize new possibilities, and develop innovative solutions to challenges in science, engineering, and more. When kids use artistic tools to express their ideas, they bring their visions to life in ways that complement their analytical thinking.
That’s where Kwik Stix, Wonder Stix, and Magic Stix come into play, helping children create visual representations of their STEM/STEAM projects.
Kwik Stix: Turning Ideas into Visual Masterpieces
Kwik Stix are mess-free paint sticks that make it easy for kids to express their creativity quickly. With no brushes, water, or clean-up required, children can spend more time focusing on their projects rather than worrying about the mess. Whether they're painting diagrams, illustrating scientific concepts, or designing structures, Kwik Stix give them a vibrant, colorful way to communicate their ideas.
Plus, the fast-drying nature of Kwik Stix allows kids to keep moving forward with their experiments and projects, keeping momentum and excitement high while fostering a love for art and learning.
Wonder Stix: Versatile Tools for Creative Exploration
Wonder Stix are incredibly versatile and work on multiple surfaces, including glass, wood, whiteboards, and paper. This opens up endless possibilities for creative exploration in STEAM activities. Children can design prototypes, draw on windows for interactive science experiments, or sketch engineering plans on a variety of surfaces. The erasable quality of Wonder Stix encourages trial and error, an important part of both creativity and critical thinking in STEAM disciplines.
The flexibility to draw and erase easily supports an environment where kids feel comfortable experimenting with different ideas without fear of making mistakes.
Magic Stix: Bold Creations with Long-Lasting Color
Magic Stix markers are the perfect addition to any creative STEM/STEAM toolkit. Their vibrant colors help kids create bold, eye-catching visuals to enhance their learning experience. Whether they're designing blueprints for engineering projects, sketching life-sized diagrams, or mapping out scientific processes, Magic Stix bring a powerful pop of color to their work.
In addition, Magic Stix have a no-dry-out guarantee, which means kids can leave the caps off for up to seven days without worrying about ruining their markers. This is perfect for busy students who may be juggling multiple projects and need reliable, long-lasting tools.
Creativity as the Key to STEAM Success
By encouraging creativity alongside analytical thinking, children gain the confidence and ability to explore new ideas, solve problems, and think critically. Kwik Stix, Wonder Stix, and Magic Stix are the perfect tools to support this journey, offering endless ways for kids to express their creativity while learning.
This National STEM/STEAM Day, let’s celebrate the importance of creativity in education and inspire the next generation of innovators, scientists, and artists!
Check out STEM/STEAM activities created with these creative products!
Raindrop Math
Materials Needed: Magic Stix, paper, and counters
- Draw raindrops onto a piece of paper
- Create a color code at the top of the paper labeling each color with a number
- Create and write math equations in each raindrop
- After solving the equation, color the raindrop in with the correct number answer
- Feel free to use counters to solve each math equation
Check out this craft on Instagram @momthemage
Puzzle Matching
- Lay the puzzle pieces flat onto a whiteboard or tray
- Outline each puzzle piece with Wonder Stix
- Scramble and mix up the puzzle pieces
- Match each piece to the correct outline to complete the activity!
Check out this craft on Instagram @mommy_craftsandlaughs
Color Coding with Magic Stix
Materials Needed: cupcake pan, paper, Magic Stix, and plastic colored ball
- Create a pattern of colored dots onto a piece of paper using Magic Stix
- Create an assortment of patterns
- Recreate each pattern onto the cupcake pan
- Match the dot with the same colored ball and place in pan
- Continue until the pan in full
Check out this craft on Instagram @mommy_craftsandlaughs
Ladybug Cardboard Counting
Materials Needed: cardboard, Kwik Stix, construction paper, scissors, and a bowl
- Paint lady bugs onto a piece of cardboard using Kwik Stix
- Cut construction paper into small circles
- Label each ladybug with a number
- Place the small circles onto each ladybug to match the number
Check out this craft on Instagram @kidscorneroc
Giraffe Puzzle Pattern
Materials Needed: empty paper towel tube, scissors, Kwik Stix, and paper towel holder
- Cut a paper towel tube into small strips
- Paint each strip with Kwik Stix
- Use a variety of 2 or 3 colors so you can form a pattern
- Stack each strip onto the paper towel holder to form the giraffe pattern
- Create a giraffe head for the top to complete the activity!
Check out this craft on Instagram @twinsthinkandplay
STEM Volcano
Materials Needed: cardboard, Kwik Stix, skittles, scissors, and a bowl
- Cut cardboard into a triangle shape
- Cut the tip of the triangle to be straight
- Paint the cardboard with Kwik Stix- use reds, browns, and oranges to resemble a volcano
- Place the volcano into a bowl
- Place skittles on the top of the volcano
- Slowly pour water onto the skittles and write down what you see happening!
Check out this craft on Instagram @mamainthegalaxy
Paper Plate Shapes Puzzle
Materials Needed: paper plates, Kwik Stix, and scissors
- Use Kwik Stix to paint one shape onto each paper plate
- Cut each paper plate in half
- Scramble the paper plates and match each piece together to complete!
Check out this craft on Instagram @ciaradeanne
Bandage Letter Craft
Materials Needed: cardboard, bandaids, Kwik Stix, and Magic Stix
- Paint a piece of cardboard with Kwik Stix and create a person
- Use Magic Stix to draw letters onto the body
- Open bandaids and write the same letters onto the center
- Match each bandaid to the corresponding letter and stick onto cardboard
- Bandage each wound to complete the activity!
Check out this craft on Instagram @mommy_craftsandlaughs