Answering the “WHY’s”: April Showers

At 4:30AM my 3-yr-old comes padding into my bedroom, scared by the thunder and lightening. As he snuggles into bed next to me, he asks, “Mommy, why is it raining?” I’m sure something similar has happened to many of you! Here are a couple of fun and easy activities to help them understand.

EGGSperiment: The Bouncing Egg

BOUNCE A RAW EGG. THEN TURN IT BLUE AND BOUNCE IT SOME MORE!

This activity has been done in every science classroom in the country, but that is because it is SO COOL. And you can do it right in your own kitchen just in time for Easter with materials you already have in your fridge and pantry. Everyone in the family will love experimenting with ‘the bouncing egg’ and you will never look at Easter egg decorating the same again!

The Titanic Game! (Buoyancy with Aluminum Foil Boats)

This game is great to do on a playdate or family day. Kids will learn about what makes things float and sink, practice counting, and use creativity and fine motor skills. Younger preschoolers may need assistance with the initial construction piece, but all ages (moms and dads too!) will have fun building and sinking their boats!

Flower Exploration and Bookmark Craft

Take advantage of all the spring blooms to practice colors, investigate flower parts, and make a fun floral bookmark craft. In this activity, kids will be using sorting skills, identifying similarities and differences, and practicing fine motor skills.

Freezing and Melting Ice Exploration

This super-simple activity is great for even the tiniest scientists! (My 17-month old loved it!) The messiness rating is a little high on this one, so take advantage of the warming weather and set up outside in the sunshine.

Hot Wheels Crash Test Dummy Part II – Test a Hypothesis

Making a hypothesis and recording data are steps in the Scientific Method (I know at least half of my readers are probably groaning or cringing when they read this phrase!). But listen, the Scientific Method is what most standardized testing for our students is based around to get them ready for the Science portion of the ACT. The ACT/SAT may seem far off for your 5-yr-old… but imagine how great it would be if your kid starts school already feeling comfortable with science terms and using a scientific approach to problem solving!

Hot Wheels Crash Test Dummy Part I – Inertia

“For the LAST TIME, I told you to stop unbuckling your seatbelt!”
Yes, parents, I know all too well the anxiety of looking in the rearview mirror while careening down the highway only to see your smiling child has undone their seatbelt yet again. And you wish you could send your Go-Go-Gadget retractable arm back there to secure them, but you can’t… because 1) that sadly doesn’t exist, and 2) you are in charge of making sure your high speed vehicle doesn’t crash into that truck in front of you. ARGH! If only your small child could understand the DANGERS of unbuckling their seatbelt!
So let’s put that bin of Hot Wheels cars to some good use and experiment with INERTIA!