The above ideas were used from one of our favourite creative parenting sites: Growing a Jeweled Rose.
You can find these recipes: Here.
You can find the recipe for elephant toothpaste: Here
Have Fun!!
Category: Tips
Volcanos!!!
Last week at the Carlyle Public Library the Grade 2-3’s made some fantastic erupting volcanos! To start each student was given a small glass bottle and some clay. (Since we had a class of 33 we used a variety of clay to make different looking volcanos: Crayola Model Magic, Crayola Air Dry Clay and No-Name brand Modelling Clay.)
The Crayola Model Magic is such a great product to work with. I really love it because it is as workable as clay but it is very lightweight and can be painted or coloured on with markers as soon as you are done modeling it. It will dry overnight in open air or you can keep it in an air tight container and play with it as many times as you like.
Just look at the great volcanos the Gr 2-3’s came up with using their creative minds!
Now for the fun part: The Eruptions!!!
The first eruption I tought the kids about was a very simple soap bubble and water recipe. (Everyone knows this from blowing milk bubbles at restaraunts and having parents yell “STOP THAT!”
Recipe:
Water (Fill your volcano container half full)
Food Colour (Just a few drops)
Squeeze of dish soap (Play with the amounts to see what happens)
The next volcano eruptions we tried were a little more reactive. The old stand-by: Baking soda and vinegar. Of course I tried to go into the chemistry behind this reaction, but honestly, everyone was too excited to take in much science. 🙂 (Thank goodness for hand-outs!)
For those of you wondering: Vinegar is an acid and baking soda is a base, when the two are mixed they create a wonderful reaction that releases carbon dioxide (The same stuff that makes pop fizzy).
Recipe: Baking Soda and Vinegar Eruption
1-2 TBLSP of Baking soda into your volcano
Food Colour (As little or as much as you like)
1/4-1/2 Cup vinegar
When the vinegar is added to the baking soda you will get a very fizzy reaction!!! Kind of like this:
But nothing can beat my new favourite: Elephant Toothpaste. Why is it called elephant toothpaste… well, you’ll have to let me know if you find out… all I know is that the reaction is bigger, lasts longer and is exceptionally fun to play in when it stops. Make sure an adult helps with the hydrogen peroxide!!
Recipe for Elephant Toothpaste
A clean 16 ounce plastic soda bottle
- 1/2 cup 20-volume hydrogen peroxide liquid (20-volume is a 6% solution, ask an adult to get this from a beauty supply store or hair salon) *NOTE we used regular 10-volume pharmacy brand at it still creates a great foam
- 1 Tablespoon (one packet) of dry yeast
- 3 Tablespoons of warm water
- Liquid dish washing soap
- Food coloring
- Small cup
- Safety goggles
NOTE: As you can see from the picture, foam will overflow from the bottle, so be sure to do this experiment on a washable surface, or place the bottle on a tray.
1. Hydrogen peroxide can irritate skin and eyes, so put on those safety goggles and ask an adult to carefully pour the hydrogen peroxide into the bottle.
2. Add 8 drops of your favorite food coloring into the bottle.
3. Add about 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap into the bottle and swish the bottle around a bit to mix it.
4. In a separate small cup, combine the warm water and the yeast together and mix for about 30 seconds.
5. Now the adventure starts! Pour the yeast water mixture into the bottle (a funnel helps here) and watch the foaminess begin!
Foam is awesome! The foam you made is special because each tiny foam bubble is filled with oxygen. The yeast acted as a catalyst (a helper) to remove the oxygen from the hydrogen peroxide. Since it did this very fast, it created lots and lots of bubbles. Did you notice the bottle got warm. Your experiment created a reaction called an Exothermic Reaction – that means it not only created foam, it created heat! The foam produced is just water, soap, and oxygen so you can clean it up with a sponge and pour any extra liquid left in the bottle down the drain.
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Cooking with Kids
On Monday March 11th a group of Gr 2/3’s took part in a No-School Cooking Class. The class began with a food mix up on the table where the kids were asked to sort the ingredients by food group. This activity was actually a lot of fun.
Once sorted we started into our pizza cupcakes! These were delicious and seconds and thirds were had by all!!
Recipe:
- 2 Pillsbury Crescent Roll Dough (Pressed into a greased cupcake pan)
- Pizza Sauce
- Meat of your choice
- Veggies of your choice
- Cheese of your choice
This was an easy recipe, but I added some creative challenges for the kids. I provided different veggies, cheeses and meats (such as broccolli, mushrooms, cauliflour, carrots, celery, havarti, mozzarella, cheddar, ham, sausage and pepperoni) and the kids had to sample a bit of everything before assembling their “cupcakes”. We came up with some great flavour combinations!
While the cuppies were baking we whipped up (quite literally!) some banana chocolate milkshakes… This is one of my favourite healthy recipes as it has NO added sugar thanks to the blast of frosty bananas. MMM…. check this one out.
*Note, we simply added milk and cocoa powder to make our milkshakes*
Banana Ice Cream
4 large very ripe bananas
2 tablespoons peanut butter (or wow butter)
Directions:
1. Peel bananas and slice into 1/2 inch discs. Arrange banana slices in a single layer on a large plate or baking sheet. Freeze for 1-2 hours.
2. Place the banana slices in a food processor or powerful blender. Puree banana slices, scraping down the bowl as needed. Puree until the mixture is creamy and smooth. Add the peanut butter and puree to combine. Serve immediately for soft-serve ice cream consistency. If you prefer harder ice cream, place in the freezer for a few hours and then serve.
*Note-if you have a hard time creating a creamy consistency, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of milk to help puree the banana slices. Make sure you use a powerful food processor or blender!
Meal time was delicious!!!
For dessert we made crepe’s with whipped cream and fresh fruit. Wow, were these delicious…. I must say we were all very full by the time our class was over. So full, I forgot to take a picture of dessert!
Crepes
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter; beat until smooth.
- Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly.
Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. Serve hot.
Whipped Cream
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- In a large bowl, whip cream until stiff peaks are just about to form. Beat in vanilla and sugar until peaks form. Make sure not to over-beat, cream will then become lumpy and butter-like.
For more ideas on cooking with kids, please visit: The Family Kitchen
Cheers and happy cooking!!!
Jenn Sedor – CFY School Aged Coordinator
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Art Break: Autumn Tree
Aren’t the colors of the leaves in Autumn just wonderful? Why not try capturing some of the beauty of Fall with this Autumn Tree art project perfect for preschool aged kids.
You will need: Large paper, brown paper or lunch bags (we recycled ours), tempra paint and white glue.
Directions: Have children roll or crinkle their brown paper or bag. Glue to paper. Have children paint the leaves on their tree.
Don’t forget: To let children use different materials to make leaves. Maybe your child wants to use tissue paper, maybe another wants to finger paint instead of using a brush. Allow your child to be creative!
Have fun!!!
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75 FREE things to do this Summer
- Visit the Library-Read books that inspire ideas and give reason for further hands on study activities. Reserve books through your online service at your local library that have items of interest for your child’s age group, how to make paper airplanes, science experiments, craft projects, etc.
- Attend Library-STORY TIME -In Carlyle 10 AM every Thursday.
- Visit your local park – go early, pack a lunch, bring a drawing tablet, enjoy the outside before it’s too hot.
- Take a field trip or nature hike. Visit nearby Cannington Manor, Kenosee Lake, White Bear Lake or even just a walk in the country. Bring a journal and a camera to document what you find.
- Play in the water – Sure the sprinkler and pool are great – but try painting with water. Wet brushes will change the color of brick, sidewalk, deck and fence but will dry clear. Or visit the Carlyle Leisure complex for Parent and Tot Swim every Tuesday and Wednesday 10-noon!
- Make a rock collection – Searching for interesting rocks might even lead to finding a fossil!
- Build a fort – Use the old standby of blankets and chairs or go and find sticks and branches.
- Take an “Alphabet tour.” With camera in hand, try to take a picture of places that start with letters of the alphabet. (a)Ananda arthouse, (b)bed and breakfast, (c)Carlyle sign, (d) dairy queen.
- Attend Local Museum Children’s events. Every Wednesday Morning in Carlyle all July and August.
10. Make Homemade Popsicles.
- Go on a scavenger hunt.
12. Host a community picnic or block party. Have each neighbour host a game such as: bean bag toss, egg on the spoon etc. Contact Jenn Sedor at CFY for use of the community picnic kit.
13. Go to the beach.
14. Cook with your kids – let them plan it, be apart of the shopping, table setting and dessert! Visit CFY’s resource library for easy cooking projects for your family!
- Teach the kids frisbee golf. Make the course together using traffic cones or other bright objects as your target. Using the same rules as golf see how many throws it takes to get the Frisbee to the target.
16. Go fly a kite.
- Do a sewing project together. Make a picnic or story time blanket, apron, or summer dress.
18. Make sock puppets – put on a puppet shows.
19. Go outside for reading time.
20. Make and blow bubbles.
21. Hide your dinosaurs, mini animals, etc. in the sand pit and have a excavation. (even read a book about palaeontology before hand).
22. Play dress up.
23. Have a tea party.
24. Make an obstacle course out of your back yard and have races.
25. Play jacks.
26. Go fishing.
27. Go on a bike ride.
28. Camp in your back yard.
29. Melt and create with crayons.
30. Plant a garden using seeds from your vegetables/fruits.
31. Tour local historic sites.
32. Make a star gazing map.
33. Teach the kids to knit.
34. Set up a lemonade stand.
35. Set up toy race car races in the driveway. Have them make a trophy to give to the winning car – then next time – the new winning car gets the trophy.
36. Have a LEGO building contest (using x# pieces, only using blue pieces, creating something a certain height, create something that moves, etc.)
37. Make a doll.
38. Hunt for animal tracks. (get a book from the library to help identify them).
39. Have a dress up party.
40. Learn bird calls.
41. Use magazines to make mosaics.
42. Make musical instruments and become a ‘home band’ sensation!
43. Make tye die shirts.
44. Take a picnic to dad/mom/grandma/ etc… give them a nice break from their work day.
45. Make a tent in the living room.
46. Make a bird feeder with pine cones & peanut butter (and bird seed of course).
47. Paint with fruit and veggies (and anything else you will let them paint with – think q-tips, old toothbrush, sponges, leaves…. etc.)
48. Play charades.
49. Have a “BORED” game day – pull out all those dusty games and let each child pick a game – if its nice outside – take them out on your picnic blanket.
50. Walk your neighbours dog.
- Make silhouettes.
52. Check out local VBS offerings – a lot of time you can volunteer while your kids attend.
53. Gather friends and have a “clean” the park day – celebrate your good deed with a picnic and play time.
54. Make Playdough.
55. Play “I Spy” as you walk around your neighbourhood.
56. Go to a farmers market.
57. Check the Summer Times paper for local summer festivals.
58. Make a checker board and your own checkers. Then play for a bit…
59. Make your own board games.
60. Make a Milk Carton Boat – and head to a pond.
61. Have a Christmas in July party and ask all the guests to bring donations for your local food pantry.
62. Gather, paint, make pet rocks.
63. Attend Mobile Playground summer day camps at Carlyle Elementary School July 26th – 30th. Call Jenn Sedor to register your child.
64. Volunteer at a local charity.
65. Have a pajama day, enjoy movies and popcorn (great for a rainy day).
66. Color.
67. Make a Windchime.
68. Write your own poems.
69. Do a toy swap with a friend.
70. “Play” school.
- Travel around the world. Read books about interesting places and explore them using your imagination. Draw landmarks, use recipes to cook interesting local foods. Use the internet or visit your local library.
72. Play tennis, soccer, kickball, football, etc.
73. Make a sandcastle.
74. Enjoy an art lesson.
75. Attend CFY’s Summer programming! Activities are fun and free!! To find our summer calendar visit www.cfyprograms.com or call Jenn Sedor at 453-2666.
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Happy Valentine’s Day from CFY
Cornerstone Kids from Left to Right: Lily Sedor, Kerri and Tyson LaChapelle, Sarah Brown, Kaseyna Einerson and Issac Bouchard Paint a Valentine’s mural on the window of the Parent and Tot Centre.
Happy Valentine’s Day from Cornerstone Family and Youth
Valentine’s Day is a great day for every family to show their love for each other. Why not try some games or fun activities to show how much you love and support one another?
A great family activity can be to create cards or “Valentine’s” for friends and family. Skip the store bought cards and try making some from scratch using inexpensive craft supplies such as cardstock, markers and stickers. Additionally you will be teaching your children how special it is to create a gift for a loved one.
Another fun activity is a family trivia game. Parents can prepare a trivia game that consists of a series of cards with family trivia on them. Examples of questions could include: Who’s favorite meal is Macaroni and Cheese? Who broke their wrist at age 5? Etc.
Don’t forget to enjoy a meal together as a family today. Sharing this special time together gives families a chance to catch up on each other’s day. Go the extra mile and dress up the table in a Valentine’s day theme.
This Week at Cornerstone Family and Youth
Sunday February 14th Valentine’s Day
Tuesday February 16th Parent and Tot Activities at Cornerstone Family and Youth Centre 1 PM – 3 PM
Wednesday February 17th Parent and Tot Activities at Cornerstone Family and Youth Centre 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
***If you would like more information about our organization or our programs please feel free to visit us in our Parent and Tot Centre located at the end of the walkway between Home Hardware and the Civic Centre, Main St. Carlyle or at our office in Falco Place #110, Main St. Carlyle. Call Lauren Hume at 453-2666.***
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Cornerstone Tip: New Parents Pack
By calling Johnson’s & Johnson’s Canada and requesting a FREE New Parents Pack, you will receive a package in the mail approximately a week later. You get to talk to a real person. Included in the pack is a child health record booklet, Penaten cream sample, J&J Head to Toe body wash, nursing pads, lotions, plus additional coupons.
1-877-223-9807 is open 8am-8pm.
cfyprograms.com 