STEAM Activity:
Geodesic Dome
A geodesic dome is a hemispherical thin shell-like structure. These structures can withstand very heavy loads even if they look like semi circles! For this activity, you will be building your very own dome with your child. It is important to educate children that there are various structural designs all around us, which makes for an interesting world.
Here is what you will need:
- Toothpicks or popsicle sticks
- Marshmallow or Gumdrops
- Tape
- Sturdy base to place the dome on
Method:
- Explain to your child that there are different types of buildings
- Have your child explore the materials and see how they can use it to make a structure
- Show them a photo of a geodesic dome (pictured below)
- Start building!
Science Activity:
How to Make Fireworks in a Jar
BLAST into a burst of colours in your very own home. This science experiment is sure to keep your child engaged and curious. Since we can’t go to a live firework show, why not bring it home and see if you and your little one can create magical colours in a jar that has a burst of spark!
Materials
- Glass jar
- Food coloring in assorted colors
- Vegetable oil
- Fork
- Small bowl
Instructions
- Fill the jar three-quarters full of warm water.
- In a separate bowl, add three to four tablespoons of oil. Add several drops of food coloring in various colors to the bowl of oil. Use a fork to mix the oil and food coloring together until small beads of color form.
- Slowly pour the oil mixture into the jar of water.
- Make sure the kids are watching what happens next. As the liquids combine, the food coloring will slowly sink out of the oil and into the water. When this happens, it will expand and begin to mix with the other colors, creating a cascading "fireworks" effect.
The science behind the project
Use this project as an opportunity to talk science with your kids! Why does the color seem to "fall" from the oil into the water? Food coloring dissolves in water but not in oil. Because the oil is less dense than the water, it will float at the top. The colored droplets will begin to sink because they are heavier than the oil. Once they sink into the water, they will begin dissolving slowly creating the tiny "explosions."
Physical Activity
In the Name of Workouts
Let us get moving with the alphabet! But wait, there is a twist! Looking at the alphabet below, complete each movement by using your child’s name! For example, for the name B.E.N they would do 20 crunches, 1-minute wall sit, and 25 burpees. This is an active physical activity to do with your child to get them moving and to get your daily workout as well! Now let’s break a sweat!
Creative Activity:
Tye Dye Art Project
Put those old t-shirts, socks, tablecloths, sheets that you were planning on disposing to good use and remake them into the new craze children are doing these days! Tye Dye!
Here is what you will need: T-shirt, Socks, Sheet, Elastics, 1-3 Dye colours, Gloves, Bottle/Spray Bottle, Basin, Table Cover
- Cover up your tie dye space or table with a tarp, old tablecloth, or other plastic to ensure that the dye does not seep into the table you are using.
- Pick your tying/folding technique - The TIE part of tie dyeing is uniquely important to the remainder of your project. The design you use and choose now determines exactly what your project will look like. You can either free style your tie dye pattern with the following techniques or follow a tie dye folding instructions tutorial completely.
- Put your gloves on! We are giving this must-do tie dye tip in its own section because it is insanely important if you do not want to make a mess. Before beginning to work with your dyes, put on those plastic gloves and protect your fingers and nails from turning Smurf blue or Purple People Eater purple.
- Put your tie dye into the bottles
- Squirt a generous amount of dye onto your project. Allow portions a moment to soak in before adding more.
- Get creative with the colors and how you rotate them. Remember tie dye is all about being bright and bold, so do not be afraid to do so now!
- Flip your tie dye project over (if necessary) and apply dye to the other half of the project.
- Place project in a plastic bag and leave overnight. Grab your tie dye project and put it into your plastic Ziploc bag and let it sit overnight. The longer a tie dye project sits the better the dye will seep into the project. Many tie dye tutorials recommend allowing your project to sit 6 to 8 hours. If you want an especially bright project, leave it for 24 hours.
- Remove your project from the bag and unfold. You will want to prepare your space for this step, as well. Remove your project from its bag and untie it in your sink or plastic tub, trust us! And again, put on those gloves! Begin untying or unbinding your project and prepare for a tidal wave. You will be surprised at how much dye comes seeping out of your project
- Rinse out your project in cold water, making sure to squeeze as much excess dye out of your project. Then rinse it out again. Seriously. There will be a lot of dye waiting inside that project.
- Place your project in your washer. Place it on the biggest load (even though it is one project) on hot with just a hint of soap. Wash it! Hint: If you are worried about having dye in your washer, consider running an empty load or a load of rags after washing your tie dye project in there to rinse it out.
- Allow your project to air dry.
Additional Resources
https://www.cosmickids.com/category/watch/?duration=short&changed=duration – Website for kids yoga, and mindfulness. Videos range from 10 minutes to over 15 minutes.
https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne - Visit the museum's exhibition rooms and galleries, contemplate the façades of the Louvre...Come along on a virtual tour and enjoy the view
Learning at Home OSC KidZone Week 17
Learning at Home OSC KidZone Week 8
