Not your grandfather's tinkering: 6 reasons why hands-on creation is vital for kids today

Pinterest and HGTV are full of DIY projects. And a growing number of maker spaces and fairs, across the country, are encouraging people to tinker.

Tinkering, however, isn't really a hot new trend. People have been at it for centuries - fiddling with something in the garage or crafting something for the home.

And, these days, the art of tinkering is more than just a homespun hobby - it develops critical skills in a world where creativity and outside-the-box thinking are more valuable in the job force than simply the ability to do the same thing over and over again.

After all, technology is advancing at a rapid pace. Gadgets and software, considered unimaginable two decades ago, are now part of our everyday life. What's more, artificial intelligence is making it possible for robots and other technology to take over jobs that were once held by humans.

Skills developed through tinkering, said Steve Scholle, program manager for the Museum of Life and Science's tinkering and emerging technologies programs, will be vital for the future jobs that will be available to today's kids.

"It can facilitate future learning," Scholle said. "That's a very marketable skill. There will be more opportunities for people who can see problems and put together novel solutions to a growing complexity of problems - not simple, repetitive tasks. We're going to have to think pretty big and pretty far outside the box."

I checked in with Scholle and Lauren Auchter, the museum's education specialist for tinkering and technology, to learn more about the benefits of tinkering for kids - and, really, all of us.

Here are six benefits:

"Everything is changing," said Scholle. Knowing how to use the original version of Microsoft Office, for instance, doesn't get you very far today when using the latest version of the software. Learning how to learn is vital.

"Having good judgment about ideas and what's important and being able to prioritize your tasks, those are far more important than [memorizing] content," Scholle said.

Plus, it's a great way to bond. "They're finding that common ground between a fifth grader and a high schooler and a business professional," said Scholle.

Auchter, a former middle school teacher, said it's important that kids learn how to be self critical. "You can look at something you created and you can look at something to improve and it's not a bad thing that there is something to improve," she said. "Being able to self reflect and be critical is really important for our workforce and people."

During the Durham museum's family workshops, participants will use all sorts of materials and technology. In October, for instance, families will reuse and combine stuffed animals to create their own custom creation complete with light, sound and movement. (And, they can take it home).

On Go Ask Mom on Wednesday, the museum will share some hands-on projects that you can do at home with your kids!