Learning Can Be Fun

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

10 Aug 2009 12:32 PM

Who says you can't learn anything during summer vacation? Instead of having your kid's brain turn to mush during the dog days of summer, encourage him to explore science in the great outdoors.

Spend the day outside with your son or daughter catching butterflies, planting a garden or snapping digital pictures to create a nature map. Need some more ideas? Take a look at these educational activities:

HOMEMADE VOLCANO

Materials:

Disposable baking pan

Soda bottle (16 or 20 oz.)

Moist soil

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 cup vinegar

Red food coloring

Directions:

Place the baking pan on the grass, and set the soda bottle in the middle of the pan.

Mound and shape the moist soil around the bottle to form the outside of the volcano.

Mound the soil up to the top of the bottle's opening, but don't get any of the dirt inside of the bottle.

Pour one tablespoon of baking soda into the bottle.

Color one cup of vinegar with red food coloring.

Pour the colored vinegar into the bottle.

Stand back and watch red foam spray out of the top and down the side of the volcano like lava.

Tip: If your kids love the volcano action, then consider kicking up the eruption by combining Diet Coke and Mentos.

GIANT SOAP CREATIONS

Materials:

1 cup liquid dish detergent

Wire coat hanger

Water

Flat cake pan

Duct tape

1/2 cup corn syrup

Directions:

Add the syrup and detergent to one gallon of water and pour into a flat cake pan.

Bend coat hanger into any shape you desire, then use the tape to cover sharp ends.

Dip coat hanger into bubble solution and gently lift to create monster bubbles.

Tip: You can vary the size of the bubbles by cutting a circle out of a Styrofoam plate or cup and using it as a bubble wand.

Related Articles:

Affordable Outdoor Summer Fun For Kids

Rainy Day Summer Fun

Summer Fun for Kids in the Great Outdoors

Super Summer Sanity Savers for Parents

Affordable Ways to Keep Kids Busy This Summer

Super Summer Fun for Kids

Edible Sand Castle and Other Summer Fun for Kids

Serious Summer Fun

Fun and Affordable Family Activities

Ways to Have Fun on a Budget

Family Fun for Less

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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