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Age 6-8 Cooking - Always Learning

Homemade Lava Lamps

January 26th 2012 03:02
I recently implemented "Science on Saturday" projects with my youngest daughter. This little ritual is a hit. One of our favorites are the Easy Lava Lamps we made with her cousin.

Easy Lava Lamps

You will need:

Plastic bottle (water or pop)
Water
Vegetable oil
Food coloring
Alka-Seltzer tablets (generic is fine)


Wash the label off your plastic bottle and then fill approximately a quarter of the way full with water.
Pour vegetable oil into the bottle, almost to the top.
Let the oil and water separate and then squeeze about a dozen drops of food coloring inside.
Watch the coloring fall through the oil and mix with the water.
Break an Alka-Seltzer tablet into small pieces and then drop one piece into the bottle.
When the action slows down add another little piece.


Check out a couple more fun projects here
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Noodle Necklaces....revisited

November 30th 2011 21:07
Technicolor noodles and a handful of pipe cleaners surprisingly kept three young video game addicts very happy all afternoon. My niece and nephews had never made noodle necklaces- this was a SHOCK to me. So simple.

If you have forgotten the drill here is the "recipe"

After checking my pantry for a variety of uncooked pasta noodles, I gathered the kids around the kitchen table.




To make custom-colored noodles you will need:

Pasta
White vinegar
Zip-loc baggies
Measuring cup
1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon
Food coloring

1. Pour one cup of dried pasta into each zip-loc baggie.

2. Add 1/2 teaspoon of white vinegar to the baggie of pasta.

3. Add 8-10 drops of food coloring to the pasta and vinegar. We happened to have fancy colored food dye in the cupboard, but regular colors work just as well.

4. Seal the baggie. Shake gently so the noodles are coated with the coloring, but not smashed in the process!

5. Inspect the noodles. If they are very dry, add a drop more vinegar. If the color is not intense enough, or there are noodles that are not covered add a few more drops of food dye.

6. Cover a cookie sheet with paper towels. Pour the noodles on the towels, separating as you go. Let them dry as you gather yarn, shoelaces, thin ribbon, or string. The noodles should be ready to string in twenty minutes or so.

7. Make necklaces or bracelets by stringing one noodle on a piece of yarn and then tying it in place to keep the rest of the noodles from sliding off. Pipe cleaners make cute bracelets or rings that are easy for small hands to manipulate.

8. Put a child to work separating the noodles by color or shape in muffin tins, or pull out cardboard or paper plates to create a mosaic pattern.
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He can build a website, but can he build a doghouse?

November 13th 2011 02:33
At the risk of sounding like an old fuddy-duddy, I have to say with all the technology available to kids, many are losing out on learning important life skills. Recently, in my high school art class I asked my students to thread a needle. More than half the class had never even attempted this feat. That surprised me and I realized they would not be able to sew on a button if the need arose. Now that alone is not terribly significant, but when adding up all the other tangible skills many of these children missed, it made me take a look at where my own children are lacking.



These practical skills are more than survival or even convenience, they can help sharpen cognitive skills and provide them with an engaging weekend activity. Part of appreciating what you have, comes from knowing how far people have come. They may never have to sew their own clothes, build a fire to cook the fish they caught for dinner or build a shelter on their own, but they can get a taste of the difference.

Life skills 101 for kids

Simple Sewing
Hand sewing is something both boys and girls can learn for very little money. Even without master skills yourself, you can teach your child how to sew a button back on a shirt, mend a pair of pants, or use a sewing machine to whip up a set of easy curtains for their bed room. A pillow is another basic first project. Use soft material or an old sports t-shirt to create something unique for their bed.

Novice tips: If you have never picked up a sewing needle or operated a sewing machine before, and do not know anyone who has, head to your local fabric store. They will be happy to assist and probably even offer beginner classes.

Grow your food
Chia Pets do not count. If you do not already have a garden, consider a container garden to give your children the experience of planting tiny seeds and watching them turn into something edible. If the standard tomatoes, beans or peppers do not interest you, try strawberries or herbs. We also make a point of going to road side farmers markets to buy fresh food straight from the gardener. This helps kids connect the dots. Instead of just believing food comes from the grocery store, they can see the work involved in cultivating healthy plants.

Novice tips: While you do not have to be a master gardener to plant a seed with your child, if you are completely lost, the people at a garden center can offer guidance. They can direct you to the right plants for your location and offer tips on how to care for your plants of choice.

Pound it
Set aside wood scraps for your child to work with. Learning how to use real tools is another essential part of a child's development. You can start with a bird house kit, or let them design their own. My son jumped into wood working, he is always building something. This hobby is rare among his friends, many who have never swung a hammer let alone used power tools.

Novice tips: If you do not have access to tools, look for free classes at your local home improvement store. They often conduct kids workshops that can give your child a chance to try different projects, in a safe environment.

Help your child become more self-sufficient by giving them a taste of hands-on skills.

9 Ways to Encourage Creativity
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Posted By: Sylvie Branch - Category: Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 9-11, Cooking, Craft
   


Candy Wrapper Crafts

October 24th 2011 14:04
Candy wrapper crafts

Go ahead, let your child have lots of candy this Halloween. What? Am I crazy? No, but instead of fighting the candy horde, embrace it and use it for good. Let your child eat a designated amount, stash your favorites and then unwrap the rest and store for baking, all the while carefully saving the wrappers.



The wrappers are the real treat this season. Take advantage of after Halloween sales for colorful, and tasty, supplies. Your children can create a slew of fun crafts for holiday gifts this year, make fashionable accessories and gift wrap.

Link it!
Make beads
Decoupage it
Turn it into bows
Build garlands
Go Big!
Donate
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Kids Art Show

August 2nd 2011 13:28
Better than a lemonade stand, a kids art show can be a fun way to promote creativity, earn money and build a sense of community.

Host your own with the following tips for a One Dolla Holla, Fifty Cent Center or Quarter Show Tips

Invite participates. You probably have a basic group in mind. It could be simply your own children or expand it to their close friends, a street in your neighborhood or make it a club event. Scouts or sports teams can pull off an effective quarter show.

Suggest sale items. Compile a list of items that are acceptable for the show. This can be decided upon as a group, or set in place ahead of time. Baked goods such as cookies should be wrapped ahead of time and ready to go. Handfuls of trail mix in baggies were just as popular as brownies at our show. Sun catchers, dream catchers, home made note cards and bookmarks were some of the offerings. Simple crafts, home made jewelry and little bouquets of flowers kept the show pretty, while they were there. We had a table for gently used toys and a place to buy hot dogs, lemonade and chips, for a quarter of course.

Read on for more information...and why a single set price is best.

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E is for Eggscellent Eggs

April 6th 2011 23:30


E is for EGGS of course. The A to Z blogging challenge post for the letter E is dedicated to Easter Eggs, but not just any ol' Easter egg, no these babies are Eggcellent


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A is for Always

April 2nd 2011 12:52
For 26 days in April (minus Sundays) I will be posting a blog for each letter of the alphabet.
"Sylvie's word of the day"
I am all for challenges, so when this was dangled in front of me in my writers group, I grabbed it


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Edible Earth Science Projects

March 13th 2011 02:49
Edible Earth Science Projects


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Posted By: Sylvie Branch - Category: Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 9-11, Cooking, Craft
   


Edible Earth Science Projects

March 5th 2011 01:23

Edible Earth Science Projects

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Gifts for Neighbors-Magical Reindeer Food

December 21st 2010 14:26
Giving gifts, or even cards to all my neighbors would be an impossible task without this inexpensive, fun tradition. Delegating this task to the kids is a nice way to keep the little ones occupied while attending to other Christmas activities nearby. Like baking, wrapping presents, or simply sipping tea and regrouping.

Recipes for Magical Reindeer Food
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Thanksgiving Projects-Share the Blessings

November 23rd 2010 23:16
Whether you have a little or a lot...all depends on who you are comparing yourself to. Compared to my in-laws, we have little....compared to my family...we have a lot.

* It's interesting to see how differently we are treated depending on the company. Having more often doesn't mean we are treated better


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Thanksgiving Projects-Share the Blessings

November 23rd 2010 17:10
help serve your neighbors in need
Whether you have a little or a lot...all depends on who you are comparing yourself to. Compared to my in-laws, we have little....compared to my family...we have a lot.

* It's interesting to see how differently we are treated depending on the company. Having more often doesn't mean we are treated better


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Halloween Craft: Shrunken Apple Heads

October 11th 2010 11:49
As my kids get older, I have found that making Shrunken Apple Heads with a few of their finds is as exciting as carving a Jack O'Lantern.

The frighteningly fantastic little heads are a marvel and look great amongst the Halloween decorations. My daughter wants to attempt turning one of hers into a doll this year. She'll use strong wire to make a body and design a dress out of fabric scraps


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Sand Art Brownies

December 17th 2009 18:00
If you are looking for a great homemade gift to give out on behalf of yourself or your children, consider Sand Art Brownies. They are a practical gift which don't necessarily cost a lot and they make fun gifts.

You will require one wide mouth quart jar with lid


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