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Tagged with 'DIY'

Super STEM Snacks!

Building Someone Amazing takes a lot of work! Between e-learning, craft time, and those daily walks, your children always seem up for something on which to munch. 
Next time they stroll into the kitchen asking the famous “what can I eeeaaat?” question, try some of these STEM-inspired snacks. Nothing unique about these ingredients either – you’ll most likely have what’s listed here hanging around the house. Talk about real BRAIN food! 

Root Beer Floats: Solid, Liquid, Gas! 

 You won’t have any trouble convincing kids to try this classic. All you need is: 

 

  • Vanilla ice cream 
  • One can of root beer 
  • A big mug or cup (clear is best) 
  • Some little bowls to separate your matter 
Place one scoop of ice cream in the mug, then pour the root beer on top. 
The reaction is immediate! There are bubbles everywhere. Next, we see that scoop of ice cream float right to the top.
So what is happening? All states of matter are represented in this snack:
Root beer = Liquid
Ice Cream = Solid
Carbon Dioxide Bubbles = Gas
The root beer is carbonated, so when it comes in contact with the ice cream, carbonated dioxide bubbles are released. Also, the liquid root beer helps free the air bubbles that are trapped in the solid ice cream. That makes the ice cream float, float, FLOAT to the top!
 

Grape, Apple, or Cheese Structures 

A STEM snack mainstay, this activity gets your little ones thinking like little engineers that could. You will need: 

 

  • Lots of toothpicks 
  • Cut up snacks of “fortitude” like grapes, apples, or cheese 
When putting together structures like this, it gets children thinking in two ways: 

 

  1. What to make? 
  2. How to improve on something you’ve already made? 
Engineering shapes and structures like these helps with dexterity, grasp, and coordination, no matter the age. 
As they build, remind kids that failure is definitely an option. Their shapes may shift and their towers may topple, but that will teach them how to solve the structural problem. Attempts to rebuild are simply lessons from the first, second, or third try. 
Math Sorting Snack
This is how we play with our food! For the younger set, print out this number “place mat”. 
Have children fill in in the circles with their favorite cereal, fruit snack, or whatever small food they like. Fine motor and counting skills are practiced during snack time! 
 

Goldfish: More, Less, or Equal? 

Goldfish are a pantry staple and just ripe with counting, sorting, and graphing possibilities. For this specific activity, you will need: 

 

  • Goldfish crackers 
  • A printout or sheet 
  • Less than, greater than, and equal signs (we used felt) 
  • Two dice 
For this game, simply print out a sheet with boxes, or handwrite the title and boxes on construction paper. With your pile of fishy crackers at hand, roll each dice and place in the box.
  
Count out the crackers and place under the dice. Compare the number of fish, and identify which has more, less, or whether they are equal in number. (Tell children the greater than/less than symbol represents a shark mouth. The open side will always show toward the bigger amount – the shark wants to eat as many fish as he can!) 

Make Your Own Ice Cream 

The creation of ice cream is actually a scientific, step-by-step process. Maybe mix up a bag of this sweet treat one night after family dinner! 
 
Materials: 
  • 1 cup of half-and-half 
  • 2 tablespoons sugar 
  • ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract 
  • 3 cups ice 
  • 1/3 cup kosher salt 
  • Gallon-sized bags 
  • Sandwich-sized bags 
  • Ice cream toppings of your choice 
Step One:
Using the sandwich-sized baggie, combine the half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla. Be sure to combine it well by shaking it, and then squeeze out the extra air and seal it well.
 
 
Step Two:
Place the ice in the gallon-sized baggie and add the salt. The salt lowers the temperature at which water freezes. This bag of salt ice will melt even when the temperature is below the normal freezing point of water. This is the same principle in the wintertime when trucks put salt on slick, icy roads.
 
Step Three:
Place the small bag into the ice-filled bag. Shake it vigorously for 7-10 minutes. You might need a towel or oven mitts when you shake the bag because it becomes so cold. All this shaking is a great way to get out some energy! 
Step Four: 
Check ice cream to see if its consistency has hardened. 
 
Ready to eat! If you tried this experiment without the salt, the liquid would have remained in that liquid state simply because the ice wasn’t cold enough.  
 
This looks good enough to eat! Happy STEM Snacking! 
 
Super STEM Snacks!
Building Someone Amazing takes a lot of work! Between e-learning, craft time, and those daily walks, your children always seem up for something on which to munch. 
Next time they stroll into the kitchen asking the famous “what can I eeeaaat?” question, try some of these STEM-inspired snacks. Nothing unique about these ingredients either – you’ll most likely have what’s listed here hanging around the house. Talk about real BRAIN food! 

Root Beer Floats: Solid, Liquid, Gas! 

 You won’t have any trouble convincing kids to try this classic. All you need is: 

 

  • Vanilla ice cream 
  • One can of root beer 
  • A big mug or cup (clear is best) 
  • Some little bowls to separate your matter 
Place one scoop of ice cream in the mug, then pour the root beer on top. 
The reaction is immediate! There are bubbles everywhere. Next, we see that scoop of ice cream float right to the top.
So what is happening? All states of matter are represented in this snack:
Root beer = Liquid
Ice Cream = Solid
Carbon Dioxide Bubbles = Gas
The root beer is carbonated, so when it comes in contact with the ice cream, carbonated dioxide bubbles are released. Also, the liquid root beer helps free the air bubbles that are trapped in the solid ice cream. That makes the ice cream float, float, FLOAT to the top!
 

Grape, Apple, or Cheese Structures 

A STEM snack mainstay, this activity gets your little ones thinking like little engineers that could. You will need: 

 

  • Lots of toothpicks 
  • Cut up snacks of “fortitude” like grapes, apples, or cheese 
When putting together structures like this, it gets children thinking in two ways: 

 

  1. What to make? 
  2. How to improve on something you’ve already made? 
Engineering shapes and structures like these helps with dexterity, grasp, and coordination, no matter the age. 
As they build, remind kids that failure is definitely an option. Their shapes may shift and their towers may topple, but that will teach them how to solve the structural problem. Attempts to rebuild are simply lessons from the first, second, or third try. 
Math Sorting Snack
This is how we play with our food! For the younger set, print out this number “place mat”. 
Have children fill in in the circles with their favorite cereal, fruit snack, or whatever small food they like. Fine motor and counting skills are practiced during snack time! 
 

Goldfish: More, Less, or Equal? 

Goldfish are a pantry staple and just ripe with counting, sorting, and graphing possibilities. For this specific activity, you will need: 

 

  • Goldfish crackers 
  • A printout or sheet 
  • Less than, greater than, and equal signs (we used felt) 
  • Two dice 
For this game, simply print out a sheet with boxes, or handwrite the title and boxes on construction paper. With your pile of fishy crackers at hand, roll each dice and place in the box.
  
Count out the crackers and place under the dice. Compare the number of fish, and identify which has more, less, or whether they are equal in number. (Tell children the greater than/less than symbol represents a shark mouth. The open side will always show toward the bigger amount – the shark wants to eat as many fish as he can!) 

Make Your Own Ice Cream 

The creation of ice cream is actually a scientific, step-by-step process. Maybe mix up a bag of this sweet treat one night after family dinner! 
 
Materials: 
  • 1 cup of half-and-half 
  • 2 tablespoons sugar 
  • ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract 
  • 3 cups ice 
  • 1/3 cup kosher salt 
  • Gallon-sized bags 
  • Sandwich-sized bags 
  • Ice cream toppings of your choice 
Step One:
Using the sandwich-sized baggie, combine the half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla. Be sure to combine it well by shaking it, and then squeeze out the extra air and seal it well.
 
 
Step Two:
Place the ice in the gallon-sized baggie and add the salt. The salt lowers the temperature at which water freezes. This bag of salt ice will melt even when the temperature is below the normal freezing point of water. This is the same principle in the wintertime when trucks put salt on slick, icy roads.
 
Step Three:
Place the small bag into the ice-filled bag. Shake it vigorously for 7-10 minutes. You might need a towel or oven mitts when you shake the bag because it becomes so cold. All this shaking is a great way to get out some energy! 
Step Four: 
Check ice cream to see if its consistency has hardened. 
 
Ready to eat! If you tried this experiment without the salt, the liquid would have remained in that liquid state simply because the ice wasn’t cold enough.  
 
This looks good enough to eat! Happy STEM Snacking! 
 
 READ MORE
Learning at Home through PLAY for PreK-1st Graders
Learning at Home through PLAY for PreK-1st Graders
READ MORE
no-school-brain-fuel-4-mom-approved-activities

No School Brain Fuel! 4 Mom-Approved Activities

Kids may rejoice when school’s out of session, but as a mom, you may be wondering how you can balance their day’s activities between guilty pleasures (hello, screen time!) and wholesome activities. Whether your kiddo is under the weather, or you’re stay-cationing this Spring Break, here are 4 mom-approved activities that feed your child’s brain AND are easy to do when you’re staying in.

Fine Motor Foto Fun

Are your kiddo’s scissor skills just OK? Here’s a fun way to practice the fine motor movements that help them make the cut, with the added benefit of puzzle play that enhances critical thinking and problem solving.
 
Here’s how:

 

  1. Find a collection of photos from magazines or family snapshots, or even by printing images from your computer. If you wish, glue the photos to cardstock or laminate them for extra durability.
  2. Help your child draw guide lines on the photos to divide them into two or more large pieces, depending on their age and skill level. Lines can be freehanded or traced using stencils, like those included in our Trace Ace Scissor Skills Set.
  3. Have your child cut the pieces out using child-safe scissors, practicing following the guidelines.
  4. Have fun playing with your new puzzles. The more photos in your collection, the more of a challenge it will be to put each individual puzzle together!
Scissor Skills for Tiny Tots Materials 2
 
(Photo Credit: Lina Awshee)

Letter Look and Learn

Reinforce letter recognition and sounds while building critical thinking skills with a letter scavenger hunt around the house. Plus, this activity will get them up and moving!
 
Here’s how:

 

  1. Give your child a set of letters A-Z. Use Letter Blocks, Magnetic Letters or DIY your own set by writing each letter on an index card.
  2. Set your child loose inside the house to find items that start with each letter of the alphabet and mark them with the corresponding letter.
  3. Have your child take you or another family member on a tour of their letter hunt as they collect up their letters from A to Z.
Other ways to play:

 

  • If you have more than one child to play, challenge them to complete their letter hunt first. Once an item has been marked with a letter, it can’t be used again, so they’ll have to find another item for that letter!
  • To make the activity a little more challenging if your child is ready, have them carry a notebook and write out the name of the items they find to practice handwriting and spelling skills. Then, ask them to use each word to write a complete sentence or create a story using all of the words!

Dual Dice Duel

Everyone’s played the card game War – time to give it a math-tastic twist. If you have four dice around the house, you can have yourself a math duel. Here’s how to play:

 

  1. Give each player two dice – or for extra fun, try using one Jumbo Dice In Diceper player instead!
  2. Depending on the player’s math skill level, decide if you’ll be practicing number recognition/value, addition or multiplication.
  3. Each player rolls their dice.
    • If playing for number recognition and value, each player calls out their number rolled from left to right. For example, if you roll a 4 and a 5, your number for that round is 45. The player with the higher number wins that round.
    • If playing for addition or multiplication, add or multiply your two dice together. The player with the higher total wins that round.
  4. The first player to get 10 points wins!
Other ways to play:

 

  • Add more dice to the game to make it even more of a challenge!
  • Try Polyhedral Dice with 8, 10 or more sides for more complex challenges!
  • Use multi-colored dice, and assign each color a function – Add your red dice number, subtract your blue dice number, and so on, to get your total for the round.

Magnet Match

While the kids are circling the kitchen for their fourth round of snacks, put them to work at the fridge with Magnetic Uppercase & Lowercase Letters and a homemade worksheet!
 
Here’s how:

 

  1. Using a blank sheet of construction paper, write the alphabet A-Z in marker. Create one sheet with the letters in order and another jumbling them up at random. You can also create and print this out on your computer!
  2. Attach the paper to your fridge using a magnet, clip or removable tape.
  3. Using magnetic letters, have your child match the letter to a magnet, covering the letter on the paper with the corresponding letter magnet.
Other ways to play:

 

  • Ready to learn upper and lower case letters? Mix in both cases using our Magnetic Uppercase and Lowercase Letter set.
  • Take the game to the next level by creating additional sheets spelling out short words, or print out photos of words and have your child spell them in letter magnets.
no-school-brain-fuel-4-mom-approved-activities
No School Brain Fuel! 4 Mom-Approved Activities
Kids may rejoice when school’s out of session, but as a mom, you may be wondering how you can balance their day’s activities between guilty pleasures (hello, screen time!) and wholesome activities. Whether your kiddo is under the weather, or you’re stay-cationing this Spring Break, here are 4 mom-approved activities that feed your child’s brain AND are easy to do when you’re staying in.

Fine Motor Foto Fun

Are your kiddo’s scissor skills just OK? Here’s a fun way to practice the fine motor movements that help them make the cut, with the added benefit of puzzle play that enhances critical thinking and problem solving.
 
Here’s how:

 

  1. Find a collection of photos from magazines or family snapshots, or even by printing images from your computer. If you wish, glue the photos to cardstock or laminate them for extra durability.
  2. Help your child draw guide lines on the photos to divide them into two or more large pieces, depending on their age and skill level. Lines can be freehanded or traced using stencils, like those included in our Trace Ace Scissor Skills Set.
  3. Have your child cut the pieces out using child-safe scissors, practicing following the guidelines.
  4. Have fun playing with your new puzzles. The more photos in your collection, the more of a challenge it will be to put each individual puzzle together!
Scissor Skills for Tiny Tots Materials 2
 
(Photo Credit: Lina Awshee)

Letter Look and Learn

Reinforce letter recognition and sounds while building critical thinking skills with a letter scavenger hunt around the house. Plus, this activity will get them up and moving!
 
Here’s how:

 

  1. Give your child a set of letters A-Z. Use Letter Blocks, Magnetic Letters or DIY your own set by writing each letter on an index card.
  2. Set your child loose inside the house to find items that start with each letter of the alphabet and mark them with the corresponding letter.
  3. Have your child take you or another family member on a tour of their letter hunt as they collect up their letters from A to Z.
Other ways to play:

 

  • If you have more than one child to play, challenge them to complete their letter hunt first. Once an item has been marked with a letter, it can’t be used again, so they’ll have to find another item for that letter!
  • To make the activity a little more challenging if your child is ready, have them carry a notebook and write out the name of the items they find to practice handwriting and spelling skills. Then, ask them to use each word to write a complete sentence or create a story using all of the words!

Dual Dice Duel

Everyone’s played the card game War – time to give it a math-tastic twist. If you have four dice around the house, you can have yourself a math duel. Here’s how to play:

 

  1. Give each player two dice – or for extra fun, try using one Jumbo Dice In Diceper player instead!
  2. Depending on the player’s math skill level, decide if you’ll be practicing number recognition/value, addition or multiplication.
  3. Each player rolls their dice.
    • If playing for number recognition and value, each player calls out their number rolled from left to right. For example, if you roll a 4 and a 5, your number for that round is 45. The player with the higher number wins that round.
    • If playing for addition or multiplication, add or multiply your two dice together. The player with the higher total wins that round.
  4. The first player to get 10 points wins!
Other ways to play:

 

  • Add more dice to the game to make it even more of a challenge!
  • Try Polyhedral Dice with 8, 10 or more sides for more complex challenges!
  • Use multi-colored dice, and assign each color a function – Add your red dice number, subtract your blue dice number, and so on, to get your total for the round.

Magnet Match

While the kids are circling the kitchen for their fourth round of snacks, put them to work at the fridge with Magnetic Uppercase & Lowercase Letters and a homemade worksheet!
 
Here’s how:

 

  1. Using a blank sheet of construction paper, write the alphabet A-Z in marker. Create one sheet with the letters in order and another jumbling them up at random. You can also create and print this out on your computer!
  2. Attach the paper to your fridge using a magnet, clip or removable tape.
  3. Using magnetic letters, have your child match the letter to a magnet, covering the letter on the paper with the corresponding letter magnet.
Other ways to play:

 

  • Ready to learn upper and lower case letters? Mix in both cases using our Magnetic Uppercase and Lowercase Letter set.
  • Take the game to the next level by creating additional sheets spelling out short words, or print out photos of words and have your child spell them in letter magnets.
 READ MORE

Spring Cleaning Tips & Tricks To Do With Your Kids

All cooped up at home? Now is the perfect time to disinfect your home and teach your kids healthy habits to keep things clean. And, if you’re of the spring cleaning persuasion, tidy things up! But whether you’re scrubbing the floorboards and shaking out rugs or just doing your weekly cleanup, you don’t have to do it alone! Kids as young as two can help with simple chores, which gives them a sense of accomplishment and belonging! Plus, you’re priming them to pitch in as they get older. Read on for some age-appropriate chores and motivation. 

Preschoolers Can… 

Yes, they require a bit of supervision, but with your encouragement and guidance, two-, three-, and four-year-olds can help you: 

  • Pick up toys and put them in a basket – Add a layer of learning (and make it more fun!) by asking them to pick up anything red first, then blue, then green. Or anything soft, then hard. 
  •  Take their dirty clothes to the laundry basket – Count the pieces together as they go in, e.g., one shirt, two shirts… Or shoot a quick game of hoops with your balled-up socks! 
  •  Help feed and care for the family pets – You may not trust your little one to fill the water bowl, but they can hold the hamster while you clean the cage and fill a scoop of dry food. 

*Bonus idea! Pretend play sets, like New Sprouts® Clean It!, is perfect for imaginary play and give little kids a way to enjoy the cleaning fun! 

Kindergartners Can…

Again, you’ll need to be on hand to help, but four- and five-year-olds can be hand helpers when it comes to chores like: 

 

  • Keep craft supplies tidy – A place for everything and everything in its place! Putting away pencils, markers, glue, and scissors is easy with the Create-a-Space™ Mini-Center, a portable craft station that’s easy to store! If you need a more prominent organizer, try the Create-a-Space™ Storage Center.
  • Setting the table – You set out the glasses and plates, then show your kiddo where to put the silverware and napkins. 
  • Sorting the laundry – Little kids are great at sorting the laundry! Show them what counts as white, medium, and dark, and leave the rest to them. 

Big Kids Can… 

Many six- and seven-year-olds are old enough to handle simple chores without supervision. A chore chart can be motivating at this age to manage tasks like: 

  • Making their bed – Don’t expect miracles here; practice makes perfect! Pulling the sheet, blanket, and comforter up and placing pillows at the top is an excellent start. 
  • Emptying trash cans – Show your kids how to start with the biggest can and carry it to the smaller ones around the house, dumping as they go. 
  • Putting their laundry away – You fold, they stash or hang! 

Bigger Kids Can…

Older elementary-school-aged kids can do so many things! Aside from managing their schoolwork, brushing their teeth, and getting dressed for school, these kids can: 

  • Wash dishes – Yup! The day has come! Fourth and fifth graders can rinse and load the dishwasher and scrub dishes and silverware (skip the knives and delicate dishware). 
  • Vacuum and rake – Whether indoors or out, your older kids can easily run the vacuum and rake. Plus, if they’re doing it, they can’t complain about the noise it’s making when you’re doing it! 
  • Run the washer and dryer – You may not want them folding quite yet, but big kids can toss a load in the washer, add detergent, and turn the machine on.  

In Conclusion,

Although it may be easier to do things yourself, the sooner you make chipping in with chores an expected part of your kids’ routine, the easier yours will be in the long run. A good rule of thumb is that kids can follow as many instructions as years they are old. For example, a three-year-old may be able to pick up their shoes, put them in the closet, and close the door. A timer is also a great motivator, as is a clean-up song. Choose something you love, play it loud, and work as long as it plays. When the music’s over, so is the clean-up!  

Spring Cleaning Tips & Tricks To Do With Your Kids

All cooped up at home? Now is the perfect time to disinfect your home and teach your kids healthy habits to keep things clean. And, if you’re of the spring cleaning persuasion, tidy things up! But whether you’re scrubbing the floorboards and shaking out rugs or just doing your weekly cleanup, you don’t have to do it alone! Kids as young as two can help with simple chores, which gives them a sense of accomplishment and belonging! Plus, you’re priming them to pitch in as they get older. Read on for some age-appropriate chores and motivation. 

Preschoolers Can… 

Yes, they require a bit of supervision, but with your encouragement and guidance, two-, three-, and four-year-olds can help you: 

  • Pick up toys and put them in a basket – Add a layer of learning (and make it more fun!) by asking them to pick up anything red first, then blue, then green. Or anything soft, then hard. 
  •  Take their dirty clothes to the laundry basket – Count the pieces together as they go in, e.g., one shirt, two shirts… Or shoot a quick game of hoops with your balled-up socks! 
  •  Help feed and care for the family pets – You may not trust your little one to fill the water bowl, but they can hold the hamster while you clean the cage and fill a scoop of dry food. 

*Bonus idea! Pretend play sets, like New Sprouts® Clean It!, is perfect for imaginary play and give little kids a way to enjoy the cleaning fun! 

Kindergartners Can…

Again, you’ll need to be on hand to help, but four- and five-year-olds can be hand helpers when it comes to chores like: 

 

  • Keep craft supplies tidy – A place for everything and everything in its place! Putting away pencils, markers, glue, and scissors is easy with the Create-a-Space™ Mini-Center, a portable craft station that’s easy to store! If you need a more prominent organizer, try the Create-a-Space™ Storage Center.
  • Setting the table – You set out the glasses and plates, then show your kiddo where to put the silverware and napkins. 
  • Sorting the laundry – Little kids are great at sorting the laundry! Show them what counts as white, medium, and dark, and leave the rest to them. 

Big Kids Can… 

Many six- and seven-year-olds are old enough to handle simple chores without supervision. A chore chart can be motivating at this age to manage tasks like: 

  • Making their bed – Don’t expect miracles here; practice makes perfect! Pulling the sheet, blanket, and comforter up and placing pillows at the top is an excellent start. 
  • Emptying trash cans – Show your kids how to start with the biggest can and carry it to the smaller ones around the house, dumping as they go. 
  • Putting their laundry away – You fold, they stash or hang! 

Bigger Kids Can…

Older elementary-school-aged kids can do so many things! Aside from managing their schoolwork, brushing their teeth, and getting dressed for school, these kids can: 

  • Wash dishes – Yup! The day has come! Fourth and fifth graders can rinse and load the dishwasher and scrub dishes and silverware (skip the knives and delicate dishware). 
  • Vacuum and rake – Whether indoors or out, your older kids can easily run the vacuum and rake. Plus, if they’re doing it, they can’t complain about the noise it’s making when you’re doing it! 
  • Run the washer and dryer – You may not want them folding quite yet, but big kids can toss a load in the washer, add detergent, and turn the machine on.  

In Conclusion,

Although it may be easier to do things yourself, the sooner you make chipping in with chores an expected part of your kids’ routine, the easier yours will be in the long run. A good rule of thumb is that kids can follow as many instructions as years they are old. For example, a three-year-old may be able to pick up their shoes, put them in the closet, and close the door. A timer is also a great motivator, as is a clean-up song. Choose something you love, play it loud, and work as long as it plays. When the music’s over, so is the clean-up!  

 READ MORE

At Home Overnight Science Experiments

Each family in the United States has found themselves at home…for a while. All this time has afforded us precious hours to do things we might not otherwise do. At Learning Resources, our minds turn toward STEM, and all the long-term experiments we might have put on the back burner simply due to a of lack of time.  

Below are a few overnight experiments that take a while. But hey – time is on our side! 

The Naked Egg  

How can you make an egg stay fully intact without its shell? The answer is (to this and many things): science! 

You will need: 

  • Eggs 
  • Vinegar 
  • Cups 
  • Corn syrup (for later) 

All you have to do is drop the eggs in, one per cup, and pour in the vinegar. The egg should be completely covered with the liquid. It’s okay if the egg floats a bit.

A chicken egg shell is made up of calcium bicarbonate. The acid makeup of the vinegar begins to react with the calcium of the egg shell. After just a short while, you will see bubbles appearing on the outside of the egg. This is carbon dioxide gas as a result from that reaction.

But now comes the hardest part: the waiting. It can take 12-24 hours before a good portion of the shell is removed. More bubbles and froth will appear. 

After the day of soaking, carefully remove the egg from the vinegar. The egg was soft, but still had a white, powdery coating. You can scrape it off, but with the egg being so delicate, it might break. Be careful! 

We used a flashlight to find the yolk in the dark. The egg glowed something awesome, but the yolk was hard to pinpoint.  

So we poured some fresh vinegar in the cup, and soaked it for another 12 hours.  

The egg came out the next morning very rubbery and fragile. We slipped the naked egg into a cup filled with corn syrup and let that soak overnight. The results were amazing! Because the corn syrup has very little water content and the egg does, the water inside the egg begins to move across the membrane (“skin” layer) and starts to equalize. What’s left is a very baggy egg.

How to Make a Rainbow Bouquet 

While you are grabbing essentials at your local big box store, why not grab a bouquet of fresh flowers? Creating your own rainbow bouquet can be turned into a fragrant scientific experiment over the course of a few nights. A trick often used by florists, dyeing white roses or carnations with colored water is actually an example of capillary action, or the ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces against gravity. 

 

What you will need: 

  • White roses or carnations 
  • Scissors or knife (adults only!) 
  • Containers 
  • Food coloring and water 

Remove all the leaves from the stem of the flower. The experiment is to see how the colored water will travel to the white petals, so you don’t want water diverted to the leaves. 

 Once the roses are clean, have an adult snip or cut them with a knife at an angle, leaving about 6-7 inches (adults only!).  

Next, stir up the liquid your flowers will be drinking for the next few days. Decide on your colors and place about 10-15 drops of food coloring in each container. Add warm tap water until the containers are about halfway full. Stir well! 

Place your flowers in their containers. Here, two were placed in each container. 

THREE HOURS 

Recently snipped flowers can be pretty thirsty. This is what the stem and bud of the blue flower looked like after just three hours. 

12 HOURS 

The next morning, the tips of the flower petals (and most dry part of the flower) were beginning to show color. How deep will the color be with each passing day?

 

 

DAY TWO

At the two-day mark, the colors were distinguishable, and the roses were thriving.

DAY THREE 

By the third day, the flowers were just beginning to wilt, but the colors were the most vibrant, but still a pastel hue. 

These roses were colored by capillary action. The colored water was pulled through the stem and made its way up to the petals. Transpiration occurs when the colored water evaporates from the flower petals.  

Overnight Crystals 

 

Some crystals take several days to grow, but here’s a simple overnight recipe to get some great crystals grown right in your refrigerator.  

You will need: 

  • Epsom salt 
  • Food coloring 
  • Clear glass cup 

Epsom salt is another name for magnesium sulfate.  

In the clear glass, fill ½ cup really hot tap water, then stir in ½ cup of the Epsom salt. Stir for at least one minute. While some salt crystals will be not dissolved at the bottom of the glass, your stirring has created a saturated solution that’s ready to make crystals. 

Then add food coloring of your choice. Place the glass in the refrigerator and wait until the morning! 

 

Wow! By cooling this solution rapidly, it encouraged fast crystal growth due to the dense solution. Crystals grown this way will be thin and plentiful.

Happy Overnight Science! 

At Home Overnight Science Experiments

Each family in the United States has found themselves at home…for a while. All this time has afforded us precious hours to do things we might not otherwise do. At Learning Resources, our minds turn toward STEM, and all the long-term experiments we might have put on the back burner simply due to a of lack of time.  

Below are a few overnight experiments that take a while. But hey – time is on our side! 

The Naked Egg  

How can you make an egg stay fully intact without its shell? The answer is (to this and many things): science! 

You will need: 

  • Eggs 
  • Vinegar 
  • Cups 
  • Corn syrup (for later) 

All you have to do is drop the eggs in, one per cup, and pour in the vinegar. The egg should be completely covered with the liquid. It’s okay if the egg floats a bit.

A chicken egg shell is made up of calcium bicarbonate. The acid makeup of the vinegar begins to react with the calcium of the egg shell. After just a short while, you will see bubbles appearing on the outside of the egg. This is carbon dioxide gas as a result from that reaction.

But now comes the hardest part: the waiting. It can take 12-24 hours before a good portion of the shell is removed. More bubbles and froth will appear. 

After the day of soaking, carefully remove the egg from the vinegar. The egg was soft, but still had a white, powdery coating. You can scrape it off, but with the egg being so delicate, it might break. Be careful! 

We used a flashlight to find the yolk in the dark. The egg glowed something awesome, but the yolk was hard to pinpoint.  

So we poured some fresh vinegar in the cup, and soaked it for another 12 hours.  

The egg came out the next morning very rubbery and fragile. We slipped the naked egg into a cup filled with corn syrup and let that soak overnight. The results were amazing! Because the corn syrup has very little water content and the egg does, the water inside the egg begins to move across the membrane (“skin” layer) and starts to equalize. What’s left is a very baggy egg.

How to Make a Rainbow Bouquet 

While you are grabbing essentials at your local big box store, why not grab a bouquet of fresh flowers? Creating your own rainbow bouquet can be turned into a fragrant scientific experiment over the course of a few nights. A trick often used by florists, dyeing white roses or carnations with colored water is actually an example of capillary action, or the ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces against gravity. 

 

What you will need: 

  • White roses or carnations 
  • Scissors or knife (adults only!) 
  • Containers 
  • Food coloring and water 

Remove all the leaves from the stem of the flower. The experiment is to see how the colored water will travel to the white petals, so you don’t want water diverted to the leaves. 

 Once the roses are clean, have an adult snip or cut them with a knife at an angle, leaving about 6-7 inches (adults only!).  

Next, stir up the liquid your flowers will be drinking for the next few days. Decide on your colors and place about 10-15 drops of food coloring in each container. Add warm tap water until the containers are about halfway full. Stir well! 

Place your flowers in their containers. Here, two were placed in each container. 

THREE HOURS 

Recently snipped flowers can be pretty thirsty. This is what the stem and bud of the blue flower looked like after just three hours. 

12 HOURS 

The next morning, the tips of the flower petals (and most dry part of the flower) were beginning to show color. How deep will the color be with each passing day?

 

 

DAY TWO

At the two-day mark, the colors were distinguishable, and the roses were thriving.

DAY THREE 

By the third day, the flowers were just beginning to wilt, but the colors were the most vibrant, but still a pastel hue. 

These roses were colored by capillary action. The colored water was pulled through the stem and made its way up to the petals. Transpiration occurs when the colored water evaporates from the flower petals.  

Overnight Crystals 

 

Some crystals take several days to grow, but here’s a simple overnight recipe to get some great crystals grown right in your refrigerator.  

You will need: 

  • Epsom salt 
  • Food coloring 
  • Clear glass cup 

Epsom salt is another name for magnesium sulfate.  

In the clear glass, fill ½ cup really hot tap water, then stir in ½ cup of the Epsom salt. Stir for at least one minute. While some salt crystals will be not dissolved at the bottom of the glass, your stirring has created a saturated solution that’s ready to make crystals. 

Then add food coloring of your choice. Place the glass in the refrigerator and wait until the morning! 

 

Wow! By cooling this solution rapidly, it encouraged fast crystal growth due to the dense solution. Crystals grown this way will be thin and plentiful.

Happy Overnight Science! 

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Math Games That Register!

Math Games That Register!

It’s the 25th anniversary of our best-selling Cash Register and we’re celebrating with 10 great games to play with pretend money, from coin counting and matching to making and tallying coin-a-pillars, Easter egg money counts, and more!  

Sort It Out 

This one’s for the littlest learners! Jumble up the coins and bills from the Cash Register and challenge your little ones to sort them out into the divided compartments in the Register. Point out that the different types of coins are different shapes and colors and that the bills have different numbers on them. Tell your child the value and name of each coin and bill as they put them away.   

Penny Pitch 

This fast-action learning game combines physical and mental fun! Give each child a handful of random play coins and a large plastic bowl. Place the bowls on the ground with the kids standing behind them and have each child take 5 big steps backward. Then ready, set, toss! Tossing one coin at a time, see how many each child can get into their bowl. Then challenge them to count the value of the coins inside.
 
  

Find It Fun 

Hide your play coins and bills around the house (remember to track how many you’ve hidden!), then let your little ones loose. When you think all the coins have been found, have each child count the value of their stash. The seeker who found the most money wins! 
 

Buy It Back 

Using printer labels or tie-on tags, gather a few of your child’s toys, and put a price on them (round numbers are easier for little kids, dollars and cents work well for older kids). Give each child a bank of dollars and coins and have them “pay” you for the toys they want. Older elementary-school-aged kids can play cashier while YOU buy with bills, making your change from the register. 
 
 

Slime Time 

Turn money math into a sensory experience by placing your play coins in a batch of slime or a bin of Playfoam Pluffle™. Sneak in some fine motor skill practice by having your kids extract the coins using play tweezers – and total them up. 
 
 

Money Match 

Turning a sheet of printer paper sideways, draw a bunch of balloons tied with a string and let your little ones color them in. Then use a marker to write a random amount of dollars and cents on each balloon. Open your register and see if your child can remove the correct amount and place it on the matching balloon. Hint – keep your totals low so your kids can complete all the balloons without having to restock the register.
 
  

Money Bunny 

Put those empty plastic Easter eggs to use! Fill each egg with a tiny surprise – a bit of chocolate, piece of chewing gum, etc. – then use a Sharpie to write a price on the outside of the egg. If your child can give you the correct amount of money, they win the prize inside!
 
  

Bingo Bucks 

Practice matching and coin value by creating your own Bingo cards! Start by dividing a sheet of paper (card stock works well) into nine boxes. Write a coin value (1, 5, 10, or 25) in each, then give each child a handful of play coins. Reaching into your own pile, pull out a coin and call out its value. If the player has a matching coin and an open space with that value on their card, they place it there. The first player to complete a row, column, or diagonal wins the game! 
 

Coin-a-Pillars 

Turning a sheet of printer paper sideways, have your kids draw a caterpillar head (don’t forget the antennae) at one end, five or six empty circles with lines beneath each, a few fuzzy feet, and a line at the end. Color them in if you like. Then, with their eyes closed, have them pick five or six play coins out of a bowl and place them in their caterpillar’s circles. Using a pencil, have them write the value of each coin beneath it and total up the value on the line at the end. Remove the coins, erase the numbers, and begin again!
 
  

Slap Stack 

Give each child a stack of random play bills and call out a number. The first player to find the bills that add up to that number and slap them down on the table wins the round. The first player to win five rounds wins the game! Start with simple numbers like $1 or $6 and work your way up to tougher addition, like $9 or $14. Older kids can add coins to their stash and learn to build a dollar out of dimes and quarters.
 
 

Save it for later!

Math Games That Register!
Math Games That Register!
It’s the 25th anniversary of our best-selling Cash Register and we’re celebrating with 10 great games to play with pretend money, from coin counting and matching to making and tallying coin-a-pillars, Easter egg money counts, and more!  

Sort It Out 

This one’s for the littlest learners! Jumble up the coins and bills from the Cash Register and challenge your little ones to sort them out into the divided compartments in the Register. Point out that the different types of coins are different shapes and colors and that the bills have different numbers on them. Tell your child the value and name of each coin and bill as they put them away.   

Penny Pitch 

This fast-action learning game combines physical and mental fun! Give each child a handful of random play coins and a large plastic bowl. Place the bowls on the ground with the kids standing behind them and have each child take 5 big steps backward. Then ready, set, toss! Tossing one coin at a time, see how many each child can get into their bowl. Then challenge them to count the value of the coins inside.
 
  

Find It Fun 

Hide your play coins and bills around the house (remember to track how many you’ve hidden!), then let your little ones loose. When you think all the coins have been found, have each child count the value of their stash. The seeker who found the most money wins! 
 

Buy It Back 

Using printer labels or tie-on tags, gather a few of your child’s toys, and put a price on them (round numbers are easier for little kids, dollars and cents work well for older kids). Give each child a bank of dollars and coins and have them “pay” you for the toys they want. Older elementary-school-aged kids can play cashier while YOU buy with bills, making your change from the register. 
 
 

Slime Time 

Turn money math into a sensory experience by placing your play coins in a batch of slime or a bin of Playfoam Pluffle™. Sneak in some fine motor skill practice by having your kids extract the coins using play tweezers – and total them up. 
 
 

Money Match 

Turning a sheet of printer paper sideways, draw a bunch of balloons tied with a string and let your little ones color them in. Then use a marker to write a random amount of dollars and cents on each balloon. Open your register and see if your child can remove the correct amount and place it on the matching balloon. Hint – keep your totals low so your kids can complete all the balloons without having to restock the register.
 
  

Money Bunny 

Put those empty plastic Easter eggs to use! Fill each egg with a tiny surprise – a bit of chocolate, piece of chewing gum, etc. – then use a Sharpie to write a price on the outside of the egg. If your child can give you the correct amount of money, they win the prize inside!
 
  

Bingo Bucks 

Practice matching and coin value by creating your own Bingo cards! Start by dividing a sheet of paper (card stock works well) into nine boxes. Write a coin value (1, 5, 10, or 25) in each, then give each child a handful of play coins. Reaching into your own pile, pull out a coin and call out its value. If the player has a matching coin and an open space with that value on their card, they place it there. The first player to complete a row, column, or diagonal wins the game! 
 

Coin-a-Pillars 

Turning a sheet of printer paper sideways, have your kids draw a caterpillar head (don’t forget the antennae) at one end, five or six empty circles with lines beneath each, a few fuzzy feet, and a line at the end. Color them in if you like. Then, with their eyes closed, have them pick five or six play coins out of a bowl and place them in their caterpillar’s circles. Using a pencil, have them write the value of each coin beneath it and total up the value on the line at the end. Remove the coins, erase the numbers, and begin again!
 
  

Slap Stack 

Give each child a stack of random play bills and call out a number. The first player to find the bills that add up to that number and slap them down on the table wins the round. The first player to win five rounds wins the game! Start with simple numbers like $1 or $6 and work your way up to tougher addition, like $9 or $14. Older kids can add coins to their stash and learn to build a dollar out of dimes and quarters.
 
 

Save it for later!

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Proper Hand Washing Glitter Experiment for Kids!
UPDATE: You spoke and we listened! After learning of the negative environmental effects of traditional glitter we have updated the blog post with edible cake glitter. This particular type of glitter is made with Gum Arabic and dissolves in water.
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DIY Mardi Gras Sensory Activities!
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DIY Snowflake Painting!

The winter season brings such joy as everyone patiently waits around for mother nature’s first big snow! Bring the magic of snow to life with snowflake salt painting! With just a few simple steps and supplies you’ll have kids passionately engaged in the science of snow. This activity can even be perfect for primary fingers with Learning Resources Primary Science Jumbo Eyedroppers with Stand. 
Salt painting is a fun primary activity to do with kids that also incorporates chemistry. It’s easy to prepare and the final product can be so beautiful! It’s also really interesting to watch the watercolors run along the salt as you paint!
 
Before getting started, I would recommend reading the book, The Story of Snow by Jon Nelson and Mark Cassino.  Kids can discover how snow crystals form, what shapes they take and the fact that no two crystals are alike. This book and the snowflake painting activity are perfect for winter days stuck inside at home or in the classroom. It features images of real snow crystals that will spark curiosity, engagement and the desire to paint them!
 
DIY Snowflake Painting Materials 2

Supplies You’ll Need

In order to get started, gather these supplies.

Step 1

Trace the snowflake outline with liquid glue, being sure to get each arm of the snowflake very carefully. Looking back, I would have printed the snowflake templates in color that way any area that isn’t completely covered or bleeds through, it only shows blue.
 
DIY Snowflake Painting Outline DIY Snowflake Painting Supplies

Step 2

Sprinkle a generous amount of salt to cover the glue. Over a sink or plate, pour the excess off.
DIY Snowflake Painting Liquid 2 DIY Snowflake Painting Squeeze Tube

Step 3

Use the eyedropper to slowly drip the food coloring onto the salt painted snowflakes. Although it might be difficult, try not to over drip with the eye droppers,  but rather watch the salt soak up one droplet of color at a time.
Salt Painting Tip: The more food coloring you use the darker your “paint” will appear. You can do it after letting the glue dry for a little or right away – it shouldn’t make a difference!
DIY Snowflake Painting Squeeze Tube Design
Once you’re finished, let your snowflakes dry for 24 hours. Be careful not to touch the salt or it may come off. If you do happen to accidentally knock off some salt, you’ll be left with a beautiful watercolor painting underneath.DIY Snowflake Painting Design Focused
It might even be a cool idea to try adding a variety of colors or different shades of blues to add a special effect. Salt painting can easily be adapted for content topic or season you’d like.DIY Snowflake Painting Wonderful Winter
If you’re looking to extend the content or add to the activity, these are some great winter snow titles. Wonderful Winter: All Kinds of Winter Facts and Fun by Bruce Goldstone and Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner are the perfect compliment.
 
Enjoy the magic of snowflake salt painting!

Save it for later!

 
DIY Snowflake Painting!
The winter season brings such joy as everyone patiently waits around for mother nature’s first big snow! Bring the magic of snow to life with snowflake salt painting! With just a few simple steps and supplies you’ll have kids passionately engaged in the science of snow. This activity can even be perfect for primary fingers with Learning Resources Primary Science Jumbo Eyedroppers with Stand. 
Salt painting is a fun primary activity to do with kids that also incorporates chemistry. It’s easy to prepare and the final product can be so beautiful! It’s also really interesting to watch the watercolors run along the salt as you paint!
 
Before getting started, I would recommend reading the book, The Story of Snow by Jon Nelson and Mark Cassino.  Kids can discover how snow crystals form, what shapes they take and the fact that no two crystals are alike. This book and the snowflake painting activity are perfect for winter days stuck inside at home or in the classroom. It features images of real snow crystals that will spark curiosity, engagement and the desire to paint them!
 
DIY Snowflake Painting Materials 2

Supplies You’ll Need

In order to get started, gather these supplies.

Step 1

Trace the snowflake outline with liquid glue, being sure to get each arm of the snowflake very carefully. Looking back, I would have printed the snowflake templates in color that way any area that isn’t completely covered or bleeds through, it only shows blue.
 
DIY Snowflake Painting Outline DIY Snowflake Painting Supplies

Step 2

Sprinkle a generous amount of salt to cover the glue. Over a sink or plate, pour the excess off.
DIY Snowflake Painting Liquid 2 DIY Snowflake Painting Squeeze Tube

Step 3

Use the eyedropper to slowly drip the food coloring onto the salt painted snowflakes. Although it might be difficult, try not to over drip with the eye droppers,  but rather watch the salt soak up one droplet of color at a time.
Salt Painting Tip: The more food coloring you use the darker your “paint” will appear. You can do it after letting the glue dry for a little or right away – it shouldn’t make a difference!
DIY Snowflake Painting Squeeze Tube Design
Once you’re finished, let your snowflakes dry for 24 hours. Be careful not to touch the salt or it may come off. If you do happen to accidentally knock off some salt, you’ll be left with a beautiful watercolor painting underneath.DIY Snowflake Painting Design Focused
It might even be a cool idea to try adding a variety of colors or different shades of blues to add a special effect. Salt painting can easily be adapted for content topic or season you’d like.DIY Snowflake Painting Wonderful Winter
If you’re looking to extend the content or add to the activity, these are some great winter snow titles. Wonderful Winter: All Kinds of Winter Facts and Fun by Bruce Goldstone and Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner are the perfect compliment.
 
Enjoy the magic of snowflake salt painting!

Save it for later!

 
 READ MORE
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