Painting with Ice

Summer is just around the corner here and summer vacation has already arrived for some of our school aged friends. Here is one great way to continue some science learning and stay cool. Painting with ice!

Usually we only think about ice in the winter, but it makes for a fun summer activity too.

I mixed regular tempera paint with water so it was about equal parts water and paint. I used small plastic cups and froze them for about 30 minutes so they were slushy but not solid. I stuck the sticks in - some I had to prop up with other sticks to get them reasonably straight.

Then I waited. That was the hardest part. But to make them solid, I waited overnight.

Then I popped the plastic cup in warm water to unfreeze it just a tiny bit and then we painted. As you can tell, we only use primary colors and as the paint defrosted during use, we created secondary colors.

Auburn Programs

Sign up time!!

Messy Fingers is a hands-on science program for preschoolers age 3-5 and their parent or caregiver. Each week we will be using commonly available materials, natural objects, and lots of imagination to explore a particular topic.

Limited space – reserve your space by calling Megan at 508-832-5707  x10  

Program held at Auburn Youth and Family Services, 21 Pheasant Court, Auburn

Program is held on Thursdays at 10:00 am and lasts about 45 minutes.
May 28 – Bubbles
June  4 –  Gliders
June 11 – Magnets
June 18 – Balls/Inclined Planes

Always dress to get messy!

Science Books for Preschoolers

As I am most often hosted by libraries, I see a lot of science books for preschoolers. I kid you not most of them are not good. Some are outdated, other incorrect, and some are misleading.

One entire series stands out Let's Read and Learn.

I generally don't like science books with drawings, I really prefer photographs, but this series does an excellent job of illustrating science concepts authentically. This series started in the 1990s and still has new books coming out.

A number of titles as a question - and I love that. Science is about exploring and that must start with a question. I wonder...? How does that...? What happens if...?

Many of these titles are available at your local library - check them out next time you and your preschooler have a question

Messy Fingers in Blackstone

Messy Fingers is on the move. Starting March 31, 2015, Messy Fingers will be at the Blackstone Public Library.

Programs run for four weeks. Each session is about 45 minutes and start at 1pm.

Call to reserve a space  (508) 883-1931

This library is not to be missed - this is a beautiful space and we will be trying out some brand new topics!  Sign up today!

Messy Fingers in the Blackstone Valley

Messy Fingers is on the move!

Starting the first week in March, Messy Fingers science programs will be in Douglas and Mendon at their respective local libraries.

If you are interested in joining in the fun - and have a preschooler aged 3-5 years of age - there are still spots available in Douglas. Please contact the Douglas library at (508) 476-2695.

If you want to be on the waiting list for Mendon, please contact that library (508) 473-3259.

Stay tuned for further locations - we have funding for two more sessions in the area and I hope to share those soon!

Go Science!

Bubbles in the cold

With temperatures expected to get into the mid teens this weekend in New England, what better way to celebrate than blowing bubbles!

Blowing bubbles is a great stress reliever as it requires a deep breath before making a bubble and it elicits giggles which are sure to relieve stress.

Check out this video my daughter and I took when it was 19' F.

I dare you to try this at home!  I would recommend two things - use small bubbles like wedding bubbles (these were huge and took a while to cool), and catch the bubble on the wand like we did so your bubble doesn't pop before freezing.

Tell me how it worked.

Messy Fingers is ON!

Despite the large snow banks and school delay in Millbury, Messy Fingers is ON at the Millbury Public Library.

We are going to study color - wear clothes to get dirty.

5 things to do in a blizzard - revisited

A while back, I posted about some fun things to do in blizzard. You can read them here. There are some fun ideas there but with temperatures hovering around 5' here, time outside with a little one is limited.

What is a simple and fun thing to do inside on a snow day?

Magnets - this is such a classic fun science topic. Magnets are one of the unseen forces of nature we can really explore with preschoolers. There are rule to learn like magnets have poles and you can only put opposite poles together. They have force meaning they can push or pull something without touching it. And we can learn these rules because they don't change.

You probably have more magnet toys than you realize. (These photos are from Amazon and Fatbraintoys.com)

• Thomas and other wooden trains are magnetic. So are some Bob the Builder toys from the same company.
  
• Magna doodles 
  
• Magna formers 
  
• Guidecraft - better builder sets - this is one of my favorites with kids
  
• Melissa and Doug - magnetic paper dolls - they have both girls and boys to dress
  
• Magnetic fishing games - wind up travel sized and battery operated larger versions
  
• Magnetic maze games
  
• Wooly Willy - this uses a magnet to move around contained iron filings
  

No Angry Way to say Bubbles

I am not a huge fan of blog posts that are merely lists of sites or a collage of pictures with no words. Generally I find there is less value in looking at someone else's pile of websites than going to look for the original blog post myself.

It was in the poking around...umm...I mean research in the blogging world that I came across one of the best quotes ever for preschoolers. Let's face it, preschoolers have a lot of new things coming at them from all directions and sometimes, they loose their cool.

This quote is for those moments.

Blowing bubbles is an excellent way to help your preschooler calm down. You have to breath deeply to blow bubbles and that alone can calm anyone down.

And then there is this quote. Great isn't it.

Go check out her blog here.  Maybe you will find inspiration too.

Messy Fingers 2015

Messy Fingers is going all out this winter and exploring new places.  But first, Messy Fingers will be home at the Millbury Public Library.

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Sign ups start Tuesday Jan 6 at the Millbury Public Library. Call if you are interested (508) 865-1181. There is a space limit of 12 parent child partners. Program dates are Jan 13, 20, 27 and Feb 3 from 10:30 to 11:30.

Stay tuned as we get messy, explore, make predictions, collect data, and analyze that data in exicting ways in new towns in the Blackstone Valley.