May. 26, 2011 at 9:02am
Wrapping up another year of Discovery Tots...
...and looking forward to Summer Camp!
We’ve just wrapped up another memorable year of our Discovery Tots classes! We witnessed a lot of exciting milestones, from “my first finger painting” to “my last class before kindergarten”. Lately, I’ve also seen a not so exciting milestone that lets me know classes really are ending. It’s the anxiety on a parent’s face as the scheduled activities end and they think, “What are we going to do all summer!?” Don’t Panic! Remember, fun and educational play activities don’t need to be complicated. You just need a little creativity! Here are some great ideas that you can enjoy with you children (some taken straight from our class curriculum).
Try these ideas outside for easy clean up!
1. Fill a large shallow plastic bin with birdseed (the under-the-bed variety of bins work great). Add measuring cups, wooden spoons, or small toys. Scoop, pour, and play away! When you’ve finished, the birds will clean up any spills.2. Paint with water. Use an old paint brush and a bucket of water to “paint” your deck, your fence, or the trees in your yard. Experiment to see which materials change color when wet, and which materials create some challenges. Can you paint the whole deck before the first part you painted dries?
Try these ideas inside when the sun doesn’t cooperate!
1. Go on an indoor treasure hunt. Choose a toy and hide it somewhere in the house. (You can use the whole house for the game or just one room to make it easier for younger children.) Set a kitchen timer for 5 minutes. Can you find the toy before time ends?
2. Grow your own rock candy! It’s a great combination of crystal formation science and delicious sweet treats.
1. Boil about 1 c. water.
2. Pour the water into a glass jar.
3. Slowly stir in sugar a teaspoon at a time. Don't rush this step.
4. Continue until the sugar starts to collect at the bottom of the jar.
5. Choose a color for your crystals and add a couple drops of food coloring.
6. Tie one end of a piece of string around the middle of a pencil and tie a paper clip to the other end.
7. Place the pencil over the jar so that the string hangs down and the paper clip almost touches the bottom of the jar.
8. Allow jar to sit someplace where it will be undisturbed.
9. Check after about 24 hours, and you'll see crystals forming on the paper clip.
2. Pour the water into a glass jar.
3. Slowly stir in sugar a teaspoon at a time. Don't rush this step.
4. Continue until the sugar starts to collect at the bottom of the jar.
5. Choose a color for your crystals and add a couple drops of food coloring.
6. Tie one end of a piece of string around the middle of a pencil and tie a paper clip to the other end.
7. Place the pencil over the jar so that the string hangs down and the paper clip almost touches the bottom of the jar.
8. Allow jar to sit someplace where it will be undisturbed.
9. Check after about 24 hours, and you'll see crystals forming on the paper clip.
Get out of the house!
Class may be out, but KidsQuest has lots of activities to explore all summer long! Many are free like Science Hour, Play & Paint, FETCH! Lab, and Storytime. If you’re looking for something to build your child’s independence and skills check out our summer camps. Your child can experiment with new scientific concepts, explore artistic techniques, dance out their wiggles, and meet new friends.
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