Tagged with 'activities'

In a medium-sized saucepan, mix the water, oil, salt, cream of tartar, and a few drops of food coloring. Stir over medium heat until the mixture is warm and the salt is mostly dissolved, then remove from heat and blend in the flour. The better the flour is blended, the smoother the dough will be, so take your time. Then drop the mixture onto a sheet of wax paper and knead until smooth and soft. Now sculpt! This batch will last for several weeks, if not months. If it begins to dry or crumble, mix in a few drops of vegetable oil. Adding texture to your dough creates the perfect substance for tactile play. To make a textured dough, follow these Traditional Dough instructions, adding glitter, sea salt, or even sand to the saucepan before mixing with flour. 

This version uses KOOL-AID to add color and scent to traditional dough. Whisk together the flour, salt, KOOL-AID, and cream of tartar in a saucepan, then mix in the water and oil. Heat over medium for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. The mixture will start out really runny, but will begin to clump as it heats up. When the dough is mostly stuck together, dump the mixture onto a sheet of wax paper. Allow it to cool, then knead, play, and sniff your scented dough!

This simple, 3-ingredient recipe is totally kid-friendly – no heating on the stove! Pour the lotion into a bowl and mix in a few drops of food coloring. Next, blend in the corn starch with a little at a time,  adding more corn starch until the mixture is silky smooth and not at all sticky. You may have to play with the ratios, adding more lotion to make the mixture less crumbly and then more starch to be less sticky, but this super soft, super smooth dough is worth the trouble. Added bonus – your hands will be silky soft after every session!

Technically, all of the recipes we’ve shared so far are edible, they just might not taste very good. Made with marshmallows, this recipe is not only edible – it’s delicious! Don’t let the corn starch fool you – when finished, this dough tastes just like taffy. In a pan, warm your oil over medium heat. Add about 30 large marshmallows, stirring until they’re completely dissolved. Add a few drops of food coloring, then move the mixture to a bowl. Quickly add the cornstarch and knead until soft. If the mixture still feels sticky, knead a bit more corn starch in until it’s smooth. This may take a bit of back and forth work – knead, corn starch, knead, corn starch. But once you’ve got the consistency just right, it’s time to play – or eat!

Playtime is out of this world! With so much in the news lately about NASA’s latest missions, not to mention the first ever image of a black hole recently released, space talk is certainly on the rise. How about making some play dough sure to spark otherworldly conversations about our galaxy?

Our home galaxy is called the Milky Way, and it contains hundreds of billions of stars that burn just like our own sun. That means there are most likely billions of solar systems out there just like ours. The Milky is believed to be 13.51 billion years old.

The Milky Way is about 100,000 light years in diameter. A light year is the distance light travels in one year. But according to scientists, the Milky Way is small compared to other galaxies. M87, another elliptical galaxy, is 980,000 light years in diameter. 

Adults only: get the water boiling on the stovetop. Have the kids mix the flour, salt, and cream of tartar Once your water is boiling, turn it off and remove it from the heat. Add the black food coloring. To get the deep, galaxy-black color, be prepared to use lots of food coloring, about half and ounce. The kids will love to see the food coloring billow into the hot water. Next, pour in the glycerin and baby oil. These two ingredients will prevent your dough from being too sticky. Adults only: pour the water mixture directly in to the bowl of the flour mixture and stir. Be aware of splashes since the water mixture is hot. Add glitter of your choice, and once again give it a good stir. Next, knead the dough for several minutes, really working it through. Dry hands work best. You might find that the dough is a little sticky. Throw the dough back in the bowl and sprinkle a little flour over the top and re-knead. This Milky Way dough is a blast to pull a part, twist, and pound out.

Throughout history, dance has served as a means of communicating and bonding, celebrating, healing, as well as a form of creative self-expression. It’s also an amazing activity that supports positive physical and mental health.

Recently, Canada initiated its Sharing Dance programs under Canada’s National Ballet School, citing that 90% of children do not meet physical activity guidelines; and one out of three children and youth are overweight or obese.

The initiative promotes dance for all ages, as benefits are not dependent on age. Starting children off in dance early, however, kicks off good habits that can last a lifetime, while introducing them to the best possible way to channel their boundless energy.

So, let’s look at the reasons why we should get kids up and dancing. Here is a fun playlist to sing and dance along too!

Dance for health

Kids have so much energy! Next time your class is feeling drained and needing release, consider doing the mash potato, moonwalk, or hokey pokey…

Some of the physical benefits include improved aerobic power, muscular endurance, strength, flexibility and balance – all of which contribute to lower risk of illness and injury. As if that’s not enough to get moving, Psychology Today reported that dancing improves brain functionality.

According to Livestrong, “Dancing is an aerobic form of exercise. For children who are overweight, it can potentially help them to lose weight and improve their eating habits.

”What’s more, dancing in a social setting can release endorphins – the chemical in the brain that reduces stress and pain – resulting in a feeling of wellbeing similar to what is known as a “runner’s high.” When there are learned steps and routines, dancers also benefit from cognitive development.

Dance to be happy

Dance offers all the benefits of a hardcore workout, minus the stress. Nancy Van Keuls, MD, a Cleveland Clinic pediatrician and certified Zumba instructor believes dance can be much more effective for kids who shy away from competitive activities such as organized sports.“In dance, they’ll never strike out, miss a basket or finish last,” Van Keuls explained. “They can do their own thing. They can become comfortable and confident with their own body. It’s a healthy form of self-expression.”Turn up the music and keep the following in mind:

• Find The Beat: It’s good for the heart! For maximum benefit, do at least 30 minutes of dance most days.
• Step Into Fitness: You don’t have to be sporty to reap benefits – just keep moving.
• Stretch Your Brain: Focusing on dance steps while paying attention to rhythm is smart work for the brain.
• Kick Up Your Grades: Concentrate better and score higher on academic skills tests – especially reading and math.
• Shake Off Stress: Try NOT to smile while shaking a tail feather. Dancing just feels good … and helps to fight feelings of depression and anxiety.
• Take a Breather: Dancing can make for a better night’s sleep – and better attention and performance during waking hours.
• Spin Some Fun: Dancing is a great uniting force, so grab a partner! Age doesn’t matter… anyone over the age of two should be handed a dance card.

Dance for your SELF

We all know what happens when a baby hears music or see a child’s reflexive physical reaction to music. Studies show infants are predisposed to move to music. Children feel an inclination to dance, so turn up the music.

“If you put music on, young children move to the music — its universal,” Daniel Mollner, a facilitator of weekly “ecstatic dance” events in Santa Cruz, Calif. said. “It’s natural.”

As a dancer himself, he realized that critique can be a deterrent, especially for youngsters. His advice: Dance for yourself and find “a freestyle movement where you can move your inner rhythm.”

Keep it casual and fun! Find a good beat and welcome a new sort of recess.

As kids explore movement and various postures, they begin to get a better sense of their bodies. Becoming more comfortable in their skin helps to improve confidence and self-esteem.

“This can be particularly beneficial for children who are physically or mentally impaired or those who are attempting to deal with significant emotional problems,” Livestrong reported. 

 Learning is Where We Play: