Throughout the past year in Kindergarten, Charlie has taken a particular liking for all things science and how they work. Naturally, Jack has jumped aboard and our plans for summer simply must include science in some way shape or form. I stumbled across this book from Usborne and the rest is history. Follow our adventures on Instagram.
Each week, I encourage Charlie to pick a few experiments (or as he calls them – experiences) for us to try at home. The majority of the projects use household items, but for those that don’t, we make a list and pick up what we need when we are next at the store.
1. Foaming Monsters
The combination of dishwashing liquid, apple cider vinegar and baking soda creates a foamy effect!
2. Floating Flowers
Use paper and water to create a water lily effect. As the paper absorbs the water, the flowers open up to reveal a sneaky little bug inside.
3. Team Trail
Leave a sweet snack out for your six-legged friends and watch how one ant turns into many after just a short time.
4. Surface Tension
Milk and a little dishwashing liquid on a toothpick with drops of food dye create a beautiful swirling effect as the toothpick “chases” the coloring around the bowl.
5. Oily Mixtures
Oil and vinegar don’t mix, shake it up, and they separate again. All finished? Pour some over your salad for a delicious dressing!
6. Wind Power
Create a windmill that pulls a thread up and down by using paper, straws, a paperclip, some thread and playdoh. Watch as your breath creates the wind needed to wrap the thread around the second straw!
Charlie practices his reading skills and I let them help with the steps. I love this book (50 Science Things to Make & Do) and the directions are simple. Each project has an explanation at the end – helping kids to understand how things work a certain way. Thus, marking this the summer of 50 Days of Science – an effort to learn more about our way in fun and inquisitive ways. Each week, I’ll post a few of the experiments we tried, what we thought and our opinions on the “research.”
Charlie: I like crafts with science in them. My favorite experience was Team Trail.
Jack: The foaming monster
We hope you’ll add in your own suggestions in the weeks ahead! Happy Experimenting!
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