Play Hard, Learn Hard: The Magic of “Hard Fun” in STEAM

We've all seen it: the moment a child's eyes light up as they finally finish a complicated project, or the victorious cheer after they solve a tough puzzle. But what about the moments before that? The crumpled paper, the toppled towers, the sighs of frustration? Those aren't just obstacles; they're the core of “hard fun”—the kind of playful learning that builds resilience, problem-solving skills, and true perseverance in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). This is the kind of fun that really matters, and it's what we, as parents, caregivers, and educators, should be actively supporting.

So, what do we mean when we say “hard fun”? The term “hard fun” was popularized by mathematician, computer scientist, and educator Seymour Papert, and was used to describe any activity that is both challenging and enjoyable. In our new book, Playful STEAM Learning in the Early Years, we talk about the importance of helping young children learn to persevere through the hard fun of the sciences and engineering in order to find joy in making discoveries (learn more here). We focus on ways to nurture the playful and fun spirit of STEAM activities—even when they spark frustration or simply do not come easily to children.

Hard fun activities are important because they help children learn how to manage frustration and gain confidence, which are important both within and beyond STEAM domains. When children have too few opportunities to work through hard fun, the result can be disengagement, lower self-esteem, and fear of inadequacy or failure in the face of novel tasks.

Hard fun activities encourage students to experiment, make mistakes, and master new skills. For example, while learning to play music by turning on the radio might be “easy fun,” learning to play music on the piano might be “hard fun.” You may not “get it” right away, but through learning, practice, and perseverance, there is a big payoff that can be quite enjoyable in a different way.

The same is true of many other STEAM activities, such as coding and engineering. For example, while it might be “easy fun” to play with a pre-programmed robot toy, it would be “hard fun” to learn how to build and code your own interactive robot (yes, this is really something young children can do beginning in preschool! Learn more here).

Ready to get started supporting your children through the process of hard fun? Here are four easy strategies to put into place:

1. Wait before you intervene: The next time your child encounters a frustrating task, give yourself a 10-second count before you intervene.
• Try This: Instead of jumping in to help, put on your detective hat and see what’s really frustrating your child. If it’s scissors skills, could you take a break and play a fine motor game like pinching and stretching rubber bands before trying again?
  
  
2. Break down the task: Young children often struggle and become frustrated with large or complicated tasks. Help them break down the task into smaller, more manageable steps.
• Try This: Say, “Wow, building this fort is a really big job! What if we start with one small section, like finding a good corner to be the sturdy base of your wall? Then, you can experiment with which blankets and pillows will be best for the roof.”
  
  
3. Recognize efforts: Support your child through frustration by praising their efforts and their process—not just their final products. You can also model how to handle frustration by sharing your process out loud the next time you make a mistake or can’t figure something out.
• Try This: The next time you have a real question you are wondering about, or you feel stuck working on a project, talk to your child about how you might figure out the answer. Say, “What can I try to learn more about my question?”
  
  
4. Offer challenging STEAM activities: Be sure you are choosing projects, materials, and activities that are sufficiently difficult for children.
• Try This: Resources like Common Sense Media, PBSKids, KiwiCo, National Geographic Kids, and Smithsonian Science Education Center all offer well-reviewed and researched STEAM activity starters and media, organized by age and developmental readiness level. Look for activities that engage creativity and require children to play just beyond their comfort zone.

Learn More:

• Playful STEAM Learning in the Early Years: An Educator’s Guide to Screen-Free Explorations
• 4 Ways to Support Girls’ STEAM Learning through Play
• Supporting Early Childhood STEAM Experiences through Play

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