Alka Seltzer and Balloons Experiment

We have been doing all sorts of fun stuff with balloons lately.  I got out the Alka Seltzer and balloons and wanted to find out what would happen if we combined the two.  I broke the tablets into pieces to help them fit into the balloons.  We pushed the tablets in the balloons and then put in a little water from the hose.  I quickly tied up the balloon and watched what happened.  The balloon slowly filled up with CO2 and was fizzing like crazy.  It was so great...the kids really liked hearing and feeling the bubbling action inside it!  We did this over and over again.



Pin It

Watercolor Filled Balloons

What better way to spend a hot day than throwing water balloons?  I thought it might be fun to fill them with watercolor and paint the fence. (The color washes right off). It was a little tricky and messy getting the color in the balloons but it was worth it.  I just dripped a drop of color inside the balloon and then filled it with water.  We tried it two different days, the first time, I just let them throw at the fence, which was fun.  Then I thought the colors might show up better on something white.  I didn't have paper big enough, so I used an old white sheet.  This worked great too.  Next time, we will try it on paper so we can keep it.  It is just too fun.  They ask me every day if they can do it again.  A couple of the balloons popped before we threw them, but not to worry, the color washes right out of clothing and skin.  I would love to hear about your experience doing this if you try it.



Pin It

Sea Shells I Spy Bottle

We make many I Spy bottles, but since summer is here, I thought I would share the sea shell one we made today.  I like to have the kids help me choose and put together the bottles so they have some ownership over them.  They love to do it.  I got these shells at the craft store.  We found some "summer" items, a lemon, lime and watermelon eraser, foam flower, fish and sea star, a button and a glass marble.  I made up a picture card for them of all the things they put in the bottle.  We filled it about 3/4 full, put the lid on and gave it a couple turns.  Then they got busy searching for the things inside.  So fun!

Pin It

Ivory Soap Bath Crayons

I have had these in my head to do for awhile now and we finally made them.  We used 3 bars of Ivory Soap to make 4 bath crayons, but we made them rather large.  We grated the bars with a cheese grater then slowly added spoonfuls of warm water to the grating until it begins to stick together and you can form it. We divided the mixture into four containers and added food coloring.  This was the fun part.  We squished and mushed the mixture up in our hands.  *WARNING* Your hands will get colored....but it washes off, so no worries.  We formed them into fat crayon shapes.  We let them dry for almost a week.  I suggest putting them up and out of sight.  My two were asking me every 20 minutes if they were ready yet, so I put them on top of the fridge until they were completely dry.  Then when I brought them out for tub time, they were super excited.

Pin It

Silly Bandz Ice Extraction

This was a super simple project just right for a hot day.  It took a little prep on my side but was well worth it.  First, I colored water and added some silly bandz to it.  I did 2 different layers of ice in the bowls just to make it a little bit more challenging.  I popped out the hunks of ice into some baking tins.  The kids collected what they thought they would need to "rescue" the bandz.  Their supplies included, water, hammers,  and kids screwdrivers. I went and got the kids some large nails when I saw them hammering their screwdrivers into the ice.  This made a big difference.  My son really enjoyed this experience.  He did not give up until he got the bandz out. We took this outside since the ice was going everywhere, which is where we should have started anyway. You really could use any small object to put in the ice.  Excellent for problem solving, small motor skills, sensory, science, cooling off, and using up some energy.

Sucess!

Pin It

Water Painting

This is not a original idea at all but is a good standby in hot weather.  Get some buckets, fill with water, supply some paint brushes and let the kids go to town.  They decided the stairs needed a coat of water, and problem solved how to get to the higher steps.  When they were done, the cement was painted, the side of the house and the deck.  Pre-writing, creativity, imaginative play....boredom buster for sure! 

Pin It

Sugar Sprinkles

My R found some sugar sprinkles in the cabinet and ran and got the glue.  Why not?  It was a nice day so we took the project outside.  First, she squeezed the glue onto the paper and then shook the sprinkles onto the glue.  She poured off the extra and added more glue.  She decided that some sand would look nice on her portrait too.  Why not?  Of course, it ended in a taste test of all the colors of sprinkles.  Fun, fine motor, sensory, creative and so much more! 

Pin It

Penny Tap Shoes

  

   These could not have been easier to make and have provided my daughter with a new musical instrument.  I simply raided our change jar for some pennies, got out the glue gun and a pair of her shoes.  I glued the pennies to the bottom of her shoes and that is it!  A new way to make music.  Since she loves to dance this was perfect for her.  She has been tapping away all week.



Pin It

Sewing a Fly Maze

Now that the weather is warming up, we have been noticing more flies.  I saw this fun sewing activity at Sewing School and asked my son if he wanted to make a "Fly Maze" with me.  Since he loves any type of puzzle or maze and is fascinated with the flies he was up for it.  We cut out the center of a paper plate.  We used a hole punch to make holes around the circle.  Then we tied yarn onto a piece of pipe cleaner to create a "needle".  After he put the yarn through one hole, I tied it on so it wouldn't slip out.  He simply went back and forth through the holes to create a maze looking design.  He kept at it until he was happy with his creation.  They are now hanging in the window waiting for a fly to give it a go.

Of course, they found some other uses for yarn, like wrapping himself up,

or, just cutting the yarn into little, bitty pieces.

Pin It

Twirly Helicopter Thingy

Anything that flies is a huge hit with my son.  I remembered making these for the kids in my class and looked up the pattern online.  You can find a print out by clicking HERE. I printed out the pattern and folded as directed.  When it was assembled, I handed it over to T and let him figure out how to make it twirl.  It took him a few tries but he soon discovered the best solution was to stand on a chair to get the optimum twirling from it.  He is still playing with this days later. I couldn't get a good action shot but when you drop the "helicopter" it spins all the way down.  Pretty fun.

Pin It

More Dripping and Mixing

This wasn't exactly what I had in mind when we began this project, but it turned into a fabulous learning experience for my two.  I watered down some paint and got out the droppers.  They squirted the different colors of paint into their trays (excellent for developing those muscles needed for writing).  This is where the project took a different turn.  My son began to tip the tray back and forth to get the colors to mix together.  Super cool idea!  Then R followed him.  It was so great to hear them, "blue and yellow make green" and "pink and purple make brown".  So fun!  When they were done, we grabbed some paper towels to soak up the paint and ta da.....a gorgeous print!!



Pin It