Tools: droppers

Using a dropper can be quite tricky at first but, once master, will lead to lots of fun science. Using a dropper requires not just finger strength and dexterity. It also requires a certain amount of patience - not something most preschoolers are known for.

Scientists use droppers but call them pipettes. Pipettes come in many different sizes and styles but they all do the exact same thing: suck up a liquid and release it on command.

To use a dropper you have to pinch the bulb, put the tip in the liquid, release the bulb so it can draw in the fluid and then remove the tip and squeeze the bulb again. That is a lot of steps. With practice kids can get pretty good at it.

So now your child has mastered the dropper. What can they do now?
Try dropping paint from different heights to see the splatter pattern
Try dropping water with food coloring into a clear cup of oil (from above and below the surface)
Try putting different drops of colored water into a single cup to see them mix
Try putting chocolate syrup into your milk (this might need to be thinned a bit, test first)
Try putting syrup into squares on your waffles

Share your experiences with droppers below!

Tools: Magnifying Glasses

Magnifying glasses are tricky tools to use at first. Where do you hold it? How much should it magnify something?  These are some of the questions you can help your child answer as they learn to use this valuable and fun tool.

Try holding the magnifying glass just above an object. This is a good place to keep a magnifying glass but it can be quite tricky for little kids.

Put the magnifying glass close to their eye and have them move close to the object. Often this is an easier place to begin using magnifying glasses.

Try looking a some familar objects first then move to even more fun things like leaves, bugs, and your body.  Hair up close is wild!