IDEA Lab Kids Director Shares Engaging Activities for Break

School breaks can leave parents struggling to find engaging activities for their students. IDEA Lab Kids, a science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education franchise that provides programs for students including coding, science investigation and visual arts, has the perfect solution.

Melanie Pitcher, director of IDEA Lab Kids of Bakersfield, California, joined Eyewitness News Mornings to discuss some of the activities children can do over breaks, often using materials that are already in the home.

Pitcher demonstrated the “blizzard in a jar” experiment, which uses oil, water, Alka Seltzer and a bit of paint to create a reaction that looks like a snowy scene. The activity is both fun and educational for students, allowing them to explore the science behind their interactive art.

Lyricos® Learning, LLC is the home to IDEA Lab Kids and is also the creator of STEAM on Demand, a leading provider of streaming interactive content and tools for planning and leading standards-aligned, engaging, and fun TK-8 STEAM hands-on lessons.

IDEA Lab® Kids was founded as a way for kids to explore their love of science, technology, engineering, art, and math subjects. The award-winning Houston-based education franchise system offers after-school classes, camps, birthday parties, open labs, and much more to children. The brand has positioned itself to be a leader in the growing STEAM education space with franchises in the U.S., Canada, and internationally. IDEA Lab Kids franchises are only offered or sold in states where they are registered or compliant with applicable franchise laws.

The franchise fee of $35,500 provides an assigned territory for establishing a location and for offering IDEA Lab On-the-GoSM. The startup costs for an IDEA Lab Kids franchise can range from $163,000 to $465,000. To learn more about franchising with IDEA Lab Kids, visit