The Summer school holidays are here, and much excitement is in the air. Filling your days with fun activities for children to keep them entertained can be a challenge but we’ve put together some ideas for you to try at home.
DIY Puffy Paint Science Experiment for Children
A few kitchen items, very little set up and clean up time, this is perfect for little scientist-artists who are always looking for new activities and wondering how they work.
You will need:
- 1 tbsp self-raising flour
- 2 drop of food colouring
- 1 tbsp Salt
- A little bit of water
Instructions:
- Combine the flour and salt in small bowl.
- Add a little bit of water and stir until it gets smooth, thin paste.
- Add your food colouring and mix well.
- When happy with your masterpiece, pop it into the microwave for 30 seconds and watch your painting puff up.
- Your artwork will be warm when you remove it from the microwave, but it will be completely set.
The Science Behind It?
The key to this activity is the self-rising flour because it contains baking powder and a little salt. The baking powder is important because it is an ingredient added to pastries, bread and bakery to make them rise.
When the baking powder is mixed with water, it releases a carbon dioxide gas. Add the extra salt, which also reacts with the chemicals in the baking powder to release even more CO2, and you have the makings for a bubbling paint potion.
The heat plus the water in the microwave will cause the baking powder to release small amounts of CO2, producing even bigger bubbles. It’s important that you use a thicker paper that can not only support the weight of the puffy paint, but also hold up for a few seconds in the microwave.
WARNING: Watch the paint in the microwave. Cardboard can start to burn if left in too long. Plus, it’s fun to watch the paint bubble and puff while it cooks.
Banana Smoothie Cooking Activity for Children
A deliciously healthy way to start the day!
You will need:
- 1 Banana
- 1 Cup Milk
- 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla
- 1 to 3 Ice Cubes
Instructions:
- Take out your blender and pour in a cup of milk.
- Peel the banana, break it in half, and add it to the blender.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and the ice cubes.
- Blend for about 20 seconds.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy.
Source: https://www.food.com/recipe/banana-smoothie-for-kids-204780
Fitness Activities for Children
Wheelbarrow Puzzle Walk Take your average Wheelbarrow race to the next level by having your child complete a puzzle. Set-up a wooden puzzle board and scatter the pieces around a room. Grab your child’s ankles (or hips to make it a bit easier for little ones) and hold them up so they can walk on their hands to collect them. They have to bring each piece back 1 by 1 and fit it into the board until the puzzle is complete.
Movement Charades Pretend to be your favorite animal, superhero or sports player by imitating their signature moves (no sounds allowed!). The rest of the players try and guess who they are – the first one to do so correctly, gets a point. If your kids have trouble thinking on the spot, write down some suggestions and place them in a hat to draw from when it’s their turn.
Musical Letters Make pieces of paper with big letters on them and spread them around the room. Play some music while they dance and then stop it and call out one of the letters. They have to immediately find the letter and sit down on it. If they pick the wrong one, have them do 15 jumping jacks (or whatever age-appropriate movement you decide).
More activity ideas are available at Rocketeers for an epic adventure during the Summer holidays: https://campaustralia.com.au/families/rocketeers.
