In our school district, there’s a late start day each week to allow for teacher prep. If I’m on my mommy A-game, I like to use this little extra bubble of time to do some hands-on science activities with my boys. This morning, as I urged my boys to step away from their exploration of household acids and pack up for the day, I jokingly said, “Enough science boys. It’s time to go to school.”
Pinterest Preview: Movable Hands, Penguin Treats, and More
It’s been a while, but I am back with another installment of Pinterest Preview – a peak at what happens when the pins come to play at our house!
Mind in the Making: Chapter 5
Potable Potions
Homemade root beer is always a sign of a special occasion at our house, but there’s just something about fall and Halloween that makes this brew especially exciting. The magic (and the science) is in the dry ice. It’s available at most grocery stores, but you usually have to ask for it at the check out stand or at guest services. Made of frozen carbon dioxide, this solid changes directly to the gas phase, without a liquid stage between (a process called sublimation). In addition to the cool fog effect, the dry ice actually carbonates your drink as it dissipates!
(Be sure to use tongs or gloves when handling dry ice as it is actually so cold that it burns the skin on contact. Obviously, this also means you must give adequate supervision for children as you use this substance.)
The Science of Rot and Decay
Children are natural scientists. “What is that?” “What’s this do?” “Why does that happen?”
Serendipitous Seed Science
I’m sharing a few old favorites while I’m away this week. This one was originally posted way back in June of 2009.
It’s only June, and my preschool age son is already antsy for school. He asked me to “play preschool” with him yesterday. A convenient request, since I’m pretty good at playing preschool. He’s watched the show Sid the Science Kid on PBS (a great show for kids and teachers alike), and wanted to do a “Super Fab Lab” science activity like they do. He was in luck! I just happened to have such an activity on hand! It might be one you’d like to recreate as well!
Colorful Ice Sculptures
This is one of my favorite winter-time sensory activities! Though it’s great any time of year, colder temps outside make it easier to freeze all those ice blocks! Get your kiddos in on all the action by letting them mix the colors (I like to use washable liquid or powder watercolors), and letting them observe the change from liquid to solid…..and then back again! Pop the colored ice into your sensory table, kitchen sink, or even the bathtub, and get building! (Originally posted 12/18/09.)
Reactions! Five Fun Science Activities that Fizz, Foam, and Pop!
The concept of reactions could provide a topic of study that could span a whole year! Chemical reactions, physical reactions, emotional reactions. It’s all about that important question, “What would happen if…?” Here are a few of my favorite science activities for fizzing, foaming, popping reactions that are sure to keep kids enthralled and provide plenty of opportunities for learning through questions, experimentation, and play!
Baby It's Cold Outside!
The seasons are changing once again! At least around these parts, the temperatures are dipping, the snow’s beginning to fly, and little children are once again fascinated to watch their own breath floating in front of them outside! I’ve collected a list of some of my favorite winter-themed activities for you to use with your preschoolers- whether as part of a formal preschool curriculum, as play group activities, or as projects to do around the kitchen table!
Baby It’s Cold Outside!
The seasons are changing once again! At least around these parts, the temperatures are dipping, the snow’s beginning to fly, and little children are once again fascinated to watch their own breath floating in front of them outside! I’ve collected a list of some of my favorite winter-themed activities for you to use with your preschoolers- whether as part of a formal preschool curriculum, as play group activities, or as projects to do around the kitchen table!