Spring is here and many kids are helping their parents and teachers grow plants and flowers. One of the most important jobs in growing plants is to water them regularly. My son helps my husband water the garden. As a result, by July, we have vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, and green beans.
This Celery Experiment is great way to show kids how plants get water from their roots up to the leaves. At the end of the post, I will explain why this experiment works.
Let’s Get Started!
Materials:
Glass Jar or Drinking Glass
Celery
Water
Food Coloring
Knife
Materials for Celery Experiment
Method:
Gather the materials
Cut about one inch off the bottom of the celery stalk.
Here I cut about one inch off the bottom of the celery.
Fill the drinking glass halfway with water.
Put a few drops of food coloring into the drinking glass.
Putting drops of food coloring into glass
My son chose to put red and blue food coloring in the glass.Mixing the food coloring together
Place the celery stalk in the colored water and let it sit over night.
We put the celery in the glass
Rip open the celery to see how the color travels throughout the stalk
Food coloring on the celery’s rib.
You should see that the food coloring has traveled to the leaves.
The food color traveled to the celery’s leaves
Why it works:
When you water a plant, the roots absorb the water from the soil.
The tiny tubes in the celery or plant stem, called xylem, draw the water up from the roots like a straw.
This process is called Capillary Action.
Capillary Action happens when water climbs up the tiny tubes.
The water droplets stick to the walls of the tubes and go upward.
The water sticks to itself and pulls more water as it climbs up.
Capillary Action lets water climb up to the various parts of a plant through the xylem tubes in the stem.
Writing letters and numbers is a skill that many parents and teachers ensure their children possess. My son wrote his first letter, A, at 21 months.He revealed it to me through abstract artwork that left me in shock.
Now he is four-years-old and his writing has improved tremendously. However, I like to find ways to make writing appealing and fun for him. One way to do this is through making our household, when possible, our writing canvas. This means writing in the tub with bath time crayons or writing on our screen door with window markers.
Today I will show you how we used household ingredients to write and create art. The project is called Pan Frescoes. Frescoes is painting with watercolor on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling.
In this project, we make our wet plaster with cornstarch and water! Instead of painting on a wall or ceiling, we will do it in a pan. You may also choose to do this outside on concrete. Just remember to rinse it with a water hose when done.
In this book she talks about an experiment where some kindergartners in a school district received extensive instructions in reading while the others spent the same amount of time learning science.
The kids that learned science melted ice, observed thermometers in hot and cold places, played with magnets, grew plants and learned about animal life. Books and pictures were available for these children but no formal lessons in reading were held.
The school district learned that by the third grade the “science” children were far ahead of the “reading” children in their reading score. The reason is their vocabulary and thinking skills were much more advanced. They could read on more topics and understand higher levels of material. The playful, hands-on activities the “science” children did taught them analytical and problem solving skills and how to make connections in what they were learning.
So let’s talk about our exciting science experiment!
Today we will…
Blow Up A Balloon Without Blowing At All!
To incorporate literacy in this experiment, help your children read the Materials, Method, and Why it Works headings in this post. As kids are reading these sections, have them do the action. Children can use the pictures to help them read the words. If your children can read independently allow them to do so.
How to incorporate literacy in this experiment…
Read the Materials and Method sections.
Re-read the Materials section as you get the supplies.
Re-read the Method section as you do the steps.
Let’s get started!
Materials:
Vinegar
Teaspoon of Baking Soda
1 Balloon
Empty Water Bottle
1 Funnel
Spoon
Safety goggles (we didn’t have safety goggles so we used sunglasses)
Method:
Put on your safety goggles (or sunglasses).
Pour some vinegar into the water bottle
Vinegar should fill 25% of the water bottle.
Pour baking soda into the balloon.
Stretch the balloon over the funnel’s neck.
Take the teaspoon of baking soda and put it in the funnel.
Ensure the baking soda reaches the inside of the balloon.
Balloon stretched over the funnel’s neck.My son is looking for the teaspoon to measure the baking soda.The baking soda is in the funnel. It goes down the funnel into the balloon.
Stretch the balloon over the water bottle’s neck.
It is hard to see but there is vinegar in the water bottle. The balloon has baking soda in it.
Pick up the balloon and empty out the baking soda into the water bottle.
AFTER THE BAKING SODA GOES INTO BOTTLE, PLEASE BACK UP IN CASE THE BALLOON POPS.
The balloon popped when we did the experiment for the first time.
Safety goggles will protect your eyes in case the balloon pops.
Stand back and watch the balloon BLOW UP!
Below is a video of my son and I doing the experiment!
Why it works?
As the baking soda mixes with the vinegar, it creates bubbles of carbon dioxide gas that escapes into the balloon.
This makes the balloon blow up by itself.
If the mixture creates a lot of gas, then the balloon will get so big until it pops!
Science is such a great subject because it allows you to mix substances and create simple and fun experiments.
My son and I did four experiments using ingredients from the kitchen. We enjoyed the process of gathering tools, reading instructions, mixing substances, and observing the outcome.
Join us in doing the experiments below!
Want More Tips? Get 3 Tools Every Household Needs to Boost Children’s Academic Skills
Let’s Get Started!
Milk Rainbow
Ingredients:
Sturdy Paper Plate
Milk
Food coloring
Dish soap
Cotton Swab
Method:
Pour enough milk onto the plate to cover the surface.
Drop food coloring into the center of the milk.
Dip a cotton swab into dish soap and then touch the tip into the center of the food coloring.
Watch what happens.
You should see the colors move when the cotton swap touch the milk.
Why it Works?
The dish soap does not mix with the milk.
Instead, the dish soap floats on top and spreads.
As the dish soap spreads, it grabs the food coloring.
Soap attacks grease so its molecules go for the fat in the milk.
This causes movement and the colors to swirl around.
The yellow food coloring spreads in the milk and soap mixture.The green food coloring is spreading in the milk and soap mixture.
The green circle is getting bigger.
Bubble Worms:
Ingredients:
Empty plastic water bottle
Scissors
An old sock
An aluminum / plastic container
Spoon
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup dish soap
Method:
Use scissors to cut the bottom off the water bottle.
Place the elastic part of the sock over the bottom of the water bottle.
Mix the water and dish soap in a container with a spoon.
Dip the sock end of the bottle into the soapy mixture.
Blow on the mouth of the bottle to create a long bubble worm.
Adults and older child should blow on the mouth.
I let my son blow ONCE just to experience it.
Sometimes small children will inhale on the mouth of the bottle instead of blowing out.
Let young children grab the bubbles at the bottom as you are blowing the mouth of the bottle.
Why it Works?
Water and soap are the basic ingredients for bubbles.
Bubbles are formed because of the air in them.
The surface of the sock on the water bottle has tiny holes.
Each of the holes are acting as individual bubble blowers.
Each hole is taking a bit of air in a layer of soap.
This combines to create the Bubble Worm.
Bubbles Galore!My son had so much fun with this experiment!
Corn Starch Slime:
Ingredients:
1 cup of Corn Starch
1/2 cup Water
Bowl
Washable paint or food coloring (I prefer paint because it washes off easily).
Method:
Dump corn starch in a bowl.
Add water to the bowl
Keep adding corn starch or water until it reaches the consistency you like.
Add washable paint to mixture to make it colorful.
Why it Works?
The grains of the cornstarch are NOT dissolved in the water.
The cornstarch grains are suspended and spread out in the water.
The cornstarch grains can hold its position in water when pressure is applied.
Creating the Cornstarch slime mixture!Fun with Slime!
Sparkle Explosion:
Ingredients:
Vase or Cup
Baking soda
Vinegar
Food Coloring
Glitter
Pan
Method:
Place 2-3 Tablespoons of baking soda in the bottom of the vase or cup.
Put the vase or cup in the pan.
Add 6-7 drops of food coloring and 1-2 teaspoons of glitter
Pour in the 1/2 cup of vinegar.
Watch for the sparkles.
Why it Works?
Baking Soda is a base and Vinegar is an acid.
When Baking Soda and Vinegar mix, the hydrogen ions in the vinegar react with the sodium and bicarbonate ions in the baking soda.
This mix is the result of two new substances called carbonic acid and sodium acetate.
There is a second reaction called decomposition reaction.
Decomposition reaction is when carbonic acid is formed.
The carbonic acid is decompose into water and carbon dioxide gas which causes the bubbling action.
As adults, we most likely want to prevent children from getting sick. It disturbs their playtime and they often look helpless lying in bed during an illness. One way to keep kids healthy is to teach them how to prevent germs.
I have provided 4 FUN and SIMPLE activities that will complete this mission! These activities will have your child wanting to help with chores and pinpoint the importance of good hygiene.
Learn How to Teach Kids to Cover their Mouths in a Fun Way
Let’s get started by answering basic questions about germs/microbes.
How are germs spread by hands?
When you cough or sneeze, this is the lungs’ way of doing their job to force bad germs/microbes out. Some people cough in their hands if they don’t have a tissue. Coughing in your hands leads to germs being left there. When you touch anything such as a doorknob, pen, sink, utensils, or someone else’s hand, you will spread germs.
How can you prevent germs from spreading?
There are good and bad germs. You want to keep good germs and get rid of bad germs. Good germs can help make vitamins that your body needs. Foods that increase good bacteria or germs are asparagus, beans, spinach, and bananas.
One way to prevent bad germs from spreading is to cough or sneeze into a tissue or elbow. Furthermore, if you don’t cover up at all while sneezing and coughing, the germs can go really far. Some germs can travel 100 miles (160km) per hour and spread over 100,000 more.
Another way to prevent germs is to wash your hands frequently with soap. Soap helps to remove dirt and microbes. Hand washing should occur before eating, after using the bathroom, when playtime is complete, after using public transportation, or visiting public places.
This book is about an oval shaped microbe character named Min, who teaches children about germs, by going on an adventure. Min begins her journey ON the book and involves readers by asking them to take her various places.
For example, the book says “Let’s take Min on an adventure! See the circle on the next page? That’s where Min lives. Touch the circle with your finger to pick her up. Min is now on your finger!”
Taking your Child on a Germ Journey
During Min’s travels, she meets friends and takes them along the way. Somehow Min and Rae end up on the reader’s shirt! At each stop, the authors show children a microscopic view of their destination. Additionally, commentary from other microbes explain how they function. While Min and Rae on are the reader’s shirt, one microbe says “Can you give me a hand spreading this dirt around?” Another microbe says “We’re making this shirt smell.”
While Min and friends are on the reader’s belly button, one microbe asks, “Did I tell you about the time soap got all the way in here? Another microbe replies “I don’t like scary stories!” This book teaches children the importance of brushing their teeth, washing clothes, and taking a bath in a humorous manner.
At the end, the authors show readers what microbes really look like and where they can be found.
Let’s apply it with 4 FUN Activities!
Use the activities below to….
Teach your Child about germs.
Encourage them to help with chores.
Promote Hygiene and Self-Care.
I do these activities with my son and he loves it!
Create the Germ/Microbe
Have your child draw a germ/microbe.
Tell the child to give the microbe a name.
Have your child draw the microbe a friend and name it.
Tell your child the microbe is going to travel to three places…
Their clothes
On their teeth
On their hands
Tell your child you are going to get rid of the germs by doing the next three activities.
Laundry
Explain to children that microbes get on our clothes and make them dirty and stinky.
While doing laundry have your child help you put the clothes in the dryer and washing machine.
While your child is handling the clothes say the following…
“Let’s get the Microbes off the clothes by putting them in washing machine.
Make it fun and urgent by saying the following…
“Oh no! The microbes are multiplying let’s put them in the washing machine quickly!
Make it into a race against the Microbes.
Brushing Teeth
Explain to children that microbes get on our teeth and cause tooth decay and cavities.
Explain that cavities are holes in your teeth.
The microbes also cause your breathe to stink.
These microbes love sugars like candy.
In order to get them off, they must floss and brush their teeth.
While your child is brushing their teeth say the following..
“Hurry Hurry, the microbes are running because they know we are about to brush your teeth!
Let’s brush your teeth to remove them now!”
I hear the microbes saying, “No, No don’t brush your teeth! We don’t like the smell of toothpaste!”
When your child is rinsing their mouth and spitting, say the following…
“The microbes are down the drain and they are yelling “No, No!”
Washing Hands
Explain to children that microbes get on our hands as we touch various things like the doorknob and sink.
We often touch our noses, mouths, and eyes allowing microbes to come into our bodies and make us sick.
We need to wash our hands to decrease our chances of getting sick.
While your child is washing their hands, laugh and say the following…
“We are going to get those microbes by washing our hands with soap!”
“The microbes are scared of soap so let’s keep scrubbing!”
When your child is rinsing their hands, say the following…
“The microbes are down the drain and they are yelling “No, No!”
“Yes! We conquered the microbes!”
When I forget to do these activities, my son usually asks me to play the Microbe Games!
Get creative with your children on how to remove microbes!
Here is a fun science experiment that teaches kids how soap removes dirt and oil when washing their hands. This video comes from my son’s YouTube Channel, Corban’s Fun Learning Adventures. Please like and subscribe for fun learning activities every Tuesday!
