Whether you’re a parent of an 11-year-old or a teacher, finding engaging, educational activities for kids can be a challenge. That’s why we did some research to uncover fun, stimulating activities that are ideal for children in the 11-year-old age group.
Curious about what exciting and educational activities are out there for 11-year-olds? Keep reading to discover more.
It’s easy to fall into the same routines, especially when trying to keep kids occupied. While they crave new adventures and discoveries, we often limit them to desk-bound activities.
However, there are plenty of creative ideas available that can lead 11-year-olds to exciting and educational activities!
Whether they are preparing to go back to school or simply looking for fun things to do over the summer, we’ve compiled a list of educational activities for 11-year-olds.
These activities are designed to spark curiosity, fuel creativity, and help them learn fascinating facts about the world.
What do you enjoy doing for fun? Now, think about your 11-year-old—activities that are not only enjoyable but also meaningful can be educational. They enrich our lives and often expand our horizons in unexpected ways.
If you’re an 11-year-old looking for fun things to do, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered some of the best educational activities for kids in this age group. So, do you have an 11-year-old at home? Here’s a list of fun, educational activities they’ll love. Let’s dive in!
1.Build a Robot:Robots are undeniably cool. They can be programmed to perform a variety of tasks and are excellent at making autonomous decisions. If your 11-year-old is fascinated by robots, there are several fun educational activities for them.
One exciting option is building a robot from scratch. This can be done using parts you buy online or in stores, like batteries and motors. But it's also possible to construct one using everyday materials such as wire, wood, and other items found around the house or in the garage.
2.Explore Space:Wondering what activities suit 11-year-olds? If your child is into science fiction or space exploration, there are many fascinating and educational activities for them.
For example, you can watch videos on YouTube about the history of space exploration, tracing humanity’s ventures into outer space since the 1950s. You can also dive into books about the different planets in our solar system.
At this age, kids start gaining independence and developing skills that will serve them in the future. It’s essential for 11-year-olds to build on the knowledge they’ve already acquired and continue advancing their abilities.
This is also a great time for them to learn how to plan and execute independent projects. It’s an ideal opportunity to nurture your 11-year-old’s creativity, curiosity, and motivation—critical skills that will pave the way for success in adulthood.
Here are some more fun, educational activities for 11-year-olds that are not only smart but highly beneficial for their development:
3. Create a mobile game or app.
4. Learn computer programming (coding).
5. Write a book or a blog post.
6. Provide additional tutoring in math or science.
7. Put together a time capsule.
9. Start a new hobby.
10. Master the rules of chess.
12. Explore different countries and cultures through fairs and festivals.
There’s so much for your 11-year-old to absorb, whether it’s in history, science, or math. While it can be tricky to find engaging educational activities for this age group, these seven ideas will help your child become a better student.
13.Math: How confident is your child with multiplication tables? If they’re having trouble with basic arithmetic, printable educational worksheets are a great way to help them sharpen those skills.
14.History: It’s never too soon to dive into the past! Printable history quizzes can serve as an excellent starting point for your child’s journey to becoming a history buff—though they’ll still need to brush up on facts before taking standardized tests.
15.Music: Who doesn’t enjoy music? Whether your child prefers classical or modern genres, free piano sheet music can be a fun way for them to learn how to read music and play melodies.
16.Science: The world is full of astonishing discoveries! With nature experiments, you can spark your child’s curiosity about the environment without needing to buy anything special.
At 11, children are at an age where they’re gaining more independence and responsibility. They’re also capable of tackling more complex tasks. Here are a few fun educational activities that promote responsibility, independence, and the development of new skills for 11-year-olds.
17.Learning to cook: Cooking helps kids understand healthy eating and how to prepare their own meals. It also teaches them how ingredients interact and how different foods combine to create something delicious (or not so delicious).
18.Starting a garden: Many 11-year-olds are ready to take on outdoor responsibilities, like maintaining a garden at home or participating in a community garden. Gardening introduces kids to nature, science, and biology while also improving hand-eye coordination and motor skills.
19.Learning a musical instrument: Regularly playing an instrument has been shown to boost brain function in children, especially when they start learning at a young age like 11. If your child is interested in music, this is a perfect time to encourage them to start!
As your child reaches 11 years old and prepares to move up to the next grade, you might be wondering where to begin. You can’t let them spend their days solely playing video games or watching TV. Here are some crucial, fun, and educational activities for 11-year-olds.
20.Learning about electricity: Electricity is something we often take for granted, but it’s essential for your child to understand how it works. You can make it an enjoyable learning experience by exploring how different materials conduct electricity.
Try using a battery-powered fan and testing which materials, like metal or plastic, conduct electricity more effectively.
21.Learn about dinosaurs: Dinosaurs are fascinating! Not only do they captivate us with their appearance, but they also offer a wealth of knowledge about our planet’s history and evolution over millions of years.
If you want your child to dive deeper into these incredible creatures, encourage them to read books or watch documentaries about dinosaurs regularly.
At 11, children are at a perfect age to begin exploring the world around them. This is a great opportunity to introduce them to new experiences and broaden their perspectives. Here are some fun ideas for activities you can do with your child as they grow:
22. Visit a planetarium or observatory.
23. Host a stargazing party with telescopes.
24. Take a trip to the zoo.
25. Go on an adventure in a local park or forest preserve.
26. Attend a class at a museum or library.
27. Learn about local wildlife at a nature center.
Looking for enjoyable educational activities? As your 11-year-old matures, they’ll begin to appreciate more complex, multi-layered activities. At this age, they’re capable of completing tasks independently and ready to learn new skills.
With more free time as they transition from elementary to middle school, this is an excellent period to involve them in fun, educational activities that will enhance their understanding of the world and develop new abilities.
If you're searching for engaging educational activities for 11-year-olds, here are some of my favorite suggestions that will help them expand their knowledge beyond just basic math and science.
This is also a fantastic age to introduce them to the concept of managing money, though finding the right resources can be tricky. That’s why I’ve created a list that includes games, worksheets, and other tools to help your child learn how to save money and make smart financial choices. Here are some fun activities for 11-year-olds that are incredibly beneficial:
28.Learn about money management: Teach your child budgeting and saving by playing board games like Monopolyor Cashflow. You can also help them understand budgeting by giving them a small weekly allowance and showing them how to use it wisely without overspending or falling into debt.
29.The Great Courses Plus: A fantastic platform for educational activities for 11-year-olds online. Although it's a subscription service, it’s worth every penny. The site offers thousands of expert lectures on a wide variety of subjects.
30.Khan Academy: Another excellent site offering free resources on a broad range of topics. While not as extensive as The Great Courses Plus, it’s still an invaluable learning platform!
31. Trello: Trello is a collaboration tool available on any device, with numerous features to help organize tasks and track progress toward goals—or even just to stay organized in general.
11-year-olds are in the peak of their childhood curiosity, making it a great time to introduce them to the world around them.
This age is also ideal for teaching children how to manage money. In this article, we’ve gathered some fun educational activities that are excellent for helping your 11-year-old grow and develop as an individual.
32. Learn about the world of commerce as they expand their understanding.
33. Develop personal finance skills.
34. Participate in community service.
11-year-olds are at a fantastic stage in life where they’re mature enough to take on responsibility and be independent, but still young enough to need guidance. This is an ideal time to introduce them to the idea of work through their first small jobs. If your child is an 11-year-old boy or girl, they’ll love these fun, educational activities.
35. Household chores: Doing chores helps kids learn responsibility, independence, and time management, while also giving you some extra free time!
36. Field trips: Field trips are one of the most exciting parts of education for kids of all ages! Look for opportunities in your area, whether it's a museum, a science center, or outdoor activities like hiking and camping.
To keep your child interested in learning, make sure the activities are fun and engaging. Here are some of the best educational activities for 11-year-olds:
37.Build a model rocket and launch it: This activity teaches about air pressure and rocket propulsion while introducing more advanced scientific concepts like aerodynamics and Newton’s laws.
38.Go on a bug hunt: Help your child identify insects by exploring your neighborhood or a nearby park. Bring magnifying glasses to examine the bugs up close!
39.Photo album scavenger hunt: Find old family photos and ask your child questions about them, like “Who is this?” or “Where did we take this picture?” This activity engages their social skills and helps them learn about history.
40.DIY science experiments: Have fun making soap bubbles from scratch using simple ingredients like dish soap.
41.Make a giant paper airplane: Buy a large sheet of paper from a craft store, cut it into an airplane shape, and fly it around! You can use templates from the internet or design your own.
42.Play with bubbles: Bubbles are magical for kids of all ages. Create your own bubble solution by mixing water and dish soap, and add food coloring for a colorful twist!
Wondering what an 11-year-old can do when bored at home? Here are some online educational activities that will keep them engaged and learning.
43. Create a digital scrapbook.
44.Make a video game: Video games can be educational too! Many developers create games that improve reading comprehension, math, and more.
45. Create an online photo gallery.
The tween years are full of exciting changes, and your 11-year-old may be starting to think about their future and identity. But while they’re growing up, they still need to have fun! Here are some activities that make learning enjoyable:
46.Play online games: The Internet offers endless games that help kids build skills in reading, writing, and math. Websites like Funbrain and PBS Kids have plenty of options.
47. Board games: Board games are great for developing strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Many also teach subjects like geography and history.
11-year-olds are at the perfect age to start exploring more complex concepts and activities. While they’re ready for more challenging ideas, it’s important to keep the activities fun and not overwhelming.
To keep them engaged in learning, ensure the activities are enjoyable. Here are some fun educational activities for 11-year-olds:
48. Practice math skills online.
49. Practice English grammar online.
50. Learn new languages online.
Fun educational activities for 11-year-olds, right? These suggestions are designed to spark a love for learning while keeping them entertained.
Remember, while these activities are great, kids also need time to relax, have fun, and spend time with friends. There's no single answer for raising children, but a healthy balance of work and play is always important for their development.