TheDadLab

TheDadLab

Share

I am not a teacher or a scientist, I am just a dad sharing fatherhood journey and science experiments

My name is Sergei and I am a full-time dad to two adorable boys: Alex and Max. We love creative play, educational toys, experiments, and easy-to-make crafts. For business enquiries please contact: [email protected]

19/06/2026

My boys were invited to UK Prime Minister to ask Mrs Starmer their questions

18/06/2026

This recycled craft turns into a toy kids actually want to play with.
That's why I love activities like this. You don't need a fancy kit or a long shopping list — just a few things you probably already have at home, and suddenly an empty toilet roll becomes part of a homemade toy.
Kids get to build it, decorate it, test it, adjust it, and then actually play with it afterwards.
Just remind kids: aim at targets, not people.

15/06/2026

This feels less like a social media ban and more like society finally admitting parents can't do this alone.

This morning I attended a briefing from about the UK's proposed restrictions on social media for under-16s, where the plans were explained in more detail and we had the opportunity to ask questions.

A few highlights:

♦️ The UK is looking at a similar approach to Australia, but with stricter enforcement. The challenge isn't just writing the rules — it's making sure platforms actually follow them.
♦️ WhatsApp and other messaging apps are not currently included in the ban.
♦️ Some features, such as livestreaming and communication with strangers, would not be available to children.
♦️ AI “romantic companion” chatbots would be restricted to 18+.

Even after children turn 16, some protections would remain. Features such as infinite scroll and sleep-disrupting settings would be switched off by default. And honestly, I think many adults would like these options too (I know I would).

Whether you support these changes or not, I think this is bigger than one UK proposal. It feels like the beginning of a new normal, where countries start asking tech companies to build platforms around children's safety, not just children's attention.

I wouldn't be surprised to see many more countries to follow to support this huge cultural shift.

What do you think — is this the right direction, or does it go too far?

Photos from TheDadLab's post 14/06/2026

Not long ago I was the kid excited to watch movies like this. Now I’m the parent watching my own kids get excited.

Time moves fast. Moments like these help slow it down.

We were lucky enough to attend the launch event a couple week ago, and this week we returned for the gala screening to finally watch the full film.

Concorde Media

13/06/2026

Some experiments are cute. This one has drama, mess, and an eruption at the end.

That's why homemade volcanoes never really get old. Kids don't just watch the science happen — they build the whole scene first, then get the big payoff.

Science happens when baking soda and vinegar meet.

Baking soda is a base. Vinegar is an acid. When they mix, they quickly make a gas called carbon dioxide.

That gas needs space, so it pushes the liquid up and out of the bottle.

The soap makes it even better because it traps the gas in lots of bubbles, turning the eruption into thick foamy “lava.”

Messy? Yes.

Worth it? Also yes.

10/06/2026

This place will make your kids more curious… and might accidentally leave you questioning your own reality too.

Max and his friend joined me at , and every illusion seemed to start the same way: first laughter, then confusion, then the best question — “How?”

That's what I loved most about it.

It wasn't just a fun place to take photos. It was one of those outings where kids naturally start observing, testing, and asking questions without anyone making it feel like a lesson.

07/06/2026

If you want kids to care about science, show them something that feels impossible first.
A cube-shaped bubble does exactly that. It starts with something every child understands: bubbles are round. Then suddenly, they see a bubble that doesn't look round at all.
The reason is surface tension.

In simple words, the soapy water acts like a very thin stretchy sheet. It pulls itself as tight as it can. Without a frame, that stretchy sheet makes a round bubble. With a cube frame, the soap film pulls between the edges of the cube, and the shape changes.

That's why this experiment works so well — it turns an everyday bubble into a “how is that possible?” moment.

Photos from TheDadLab's post 05/06/2026

Last night I went to The Ocean Brief and was reminded that the ocean is not far away, and it is not only for surfers or scientists. It helps produce the oxygen we breathe, supports the food we eat, and regulates the climate we depend on. That makes ocean protection a personal issue, not a niche environmental one.

The private gathering was hosted by in partnership with , bringing together creators, scientists and ocean advocates ahead of World Environment Day.

I also met , who spoke honestly about why ocean protection matters. I loved that the conversation was not about making people feel guilty. It was about what can actually be done.

One simple action that came up again and again: write to your MP. Not just feeling worried, but actually asking decision-makers to protect our oceans properly.

explained coral bleaching and why it should matter to everyone. Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor, but they support around 25% of marine species. When the ocean heats up, corals become stressed, bleach, and can die — and when corals disappear, thousands of species lose their home.

We also talked about bottom trawling and overfishing. One point really stayed with me: this is not about telling everyone to stop eating fish. It is about making sure there are still fish to eat in 20–30 years.

Thank you .house for bringing this conversation together.

04/06/2026

Most kids have used toys with motors inside. But this is the kind of experiment that makes kids see what electricity does up close.

That's what makes this project so exciting. It's not just something spinning for fun — it's a real simple motor made with a battery, magnet, screw and wire.

The battery sends electricity through the wire and the screw. The magnet creates an invisible magnetic field. When the electricity and the magnet work together, they create a push that makes the screw spin.

That spinning movement is the same big idea behind lots of things kids use every day — fans, toy cars, electric toothbrushes and more.

Tiny setup. Real motor. Big “wait, I made that?” moment.

Adult supervision needed. The wire can get hot, so don't keep it connected for long.

Photos from TheDadLab's post 03/06/2026

Not every day your children get invited behind one of the most famous black doors in the world.

This week, we attended a Parents Reception at , and it turned into one of those memories I know Alex and Max will still be talking about years from now.

We spent time in the garden, which had been transformed into a giant playground filled with games, activities and crafts for children, walked up the grand staircase lined with portraits of former Prime Ministers, and the boys even had the opportunity to interview Mrs Starmer.

For me, the highlight wasn’t the building itself. It was watching Alex and Max step into a place they’ve only ever seen on television and approach the experience with curiosity and confidence.

Some memories come from big adventures. Others come from being given a glimpse behind a door that most people only ever walk past.

Thank you to for the invitation and for welcoming families for such a memorable afternoon.

Want your school to be the top-listed School/college in Balham?

Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.

Location

Category

Address


Balham