SHELLEY HEAPHY for The Parents’ Voice
This year the arrival of March break has me feeling relieved. I’m happy to have a break from worrying about whether or not my kids have a COVID-19 symptom and whether or not they can go to school. They too are anxious for a break, for the regular reasons. To do whatever they want and not rush out the door in the morning.
If you’re lucky enough to . . .
have some time at home with your kids during March break you may have already planned a few things to do together. With going anywhere a bit of a tricky situation this year, many people are planning little things to do at home together. If that is your plan, maybe consider incorporating some simple, fun science experiments into your day. Science is one of those things that I always forget to plan to do but when reminded by my children who love science, we do always have fun together experimenting. There are tons and tons of simple ideas for all ages of kids. Below are a few ideas for parents and children to explore.
Little kids
- Mixing colours is one of the easiest ways to teach children new colours. Whether you use paint or food colouring allow them to mix some new colours together and record your results. You can do this on paper with a paintbrush, with food colouring and water or on snow with your hands. Whatever way you decide they are sure to enjoy watching colours mix. Predict what colours will be made and record which colours are used to create new colours and post it up in their room. They will be so proud of themselves.
- Sink and float — Collect some materials from around the house, (examples: coins, toy cars, spoon, plastic toy, empty bottle, full bottle with a cap on it, small figurine …) fill a large bowl with water and sit together at the table. Have your child predict which items will float and which items will sink and then test each item. Record the results and check to see which ones they guessed correctly. Discuss why heavier items will sink to the bottom and other items will float. Watch them experiment with this on their own at bath time. My five-year-old loves to do this over and over again.
School age kids
The possibilities are endless. Sometimes you may just want to do a quick search using materials you have at home. Here are a few great ideas that require little to no materials.
- Mixing oil and water — Add half a bottle of water and half a bottle of oil. Add drops of food colouring. Screw the cap on tight and shake the bottle as hard as you can. What happens to the water and oil? Instant lava lamp.
- A volcano — The classic. Watch as the volcano erupts. All it takes is a little baking soda, a little vinegar and a large container. Watch what happens when you add both ingredients together. Discuss why this happens.
- Magic Skittles — This super simple experiment requires a bag of Skittles, a plate and warm water. Make a circle out of Skittles towards the edge of the plate. Gently put some warm water in the middle of the Skittles and watch. After a few seconds the colour will come off the Skittles and start to mix in the centre. You can experiment with different coloured Skittles to see what colours can be made!
A quick Google search will give you lots of simple science ideas. Sometimes I put in a few ingredients that we have on hand and Google an experiment we can do with it.
Whatever you choose, enjoy some quality time with your kids and build in some relaxing time to recharge those batteries for the last months of the school year.
Until next week, play lots and be happy.
