PLAY IDEA: Foam Eruptions

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I love Science and science experiments, especially when they have the 'wow factor'. Mixing baking soda and vinegar was a favourite when I was child and now I get to share it with my children. My son has never really been a fan of Messy Play, however after doing this experiment, I think he has changed his mind, because now he knows it's fun to mix, stir and scoop colourful 'stuff' and get messy!

Messy Play can help children to experiment and explore, learn about colour mixing and texture, develop hand-eye co-ordination and practice pouring, mixing, scooping and beating skills. 

We can support children by joining in, letting them know it's okay to get messy. We can encourage them to tell us what they are doing by introducing descriptive words such as runny, fluffy, warm, wet, and soft. Supervising them at all times, keeping them safe and preventing them from putting the mixture/solution in their mouth and/or eyes.

Disclaimer: This recipe is from "Recipes for Messy Play".
Ingredients: 
1/4 cup Clear liquid hand soap 
3/4 Warm water
2 Tbsp Baking Soda
2 Tbsp Citric Acid, lemon juice 
(unfortunately I didn't have either, so I used white vinegar instead, and it did the trick) 
Food colouring
Method: 
1. Set out small container in a deep basin or water trough.
2. Add clear hand soap and warm water to each container and invite the children to mix to create soapy water. 
3. Add a few drops of food colouring to each one. 
4. Invite children to add spoonfuls of baking soda to each bowl of soapy water and mix it in - it should become gooey. The children can then add spoonfuls of citric acid (or lemon juice) *we didn't have either so I used white vinegar instead). As soon as the citric acid/lemon juice/white vinegar hits the baking soda/soapy water combination, it will create a very light, airy, fluffy foam. 
5. Set out small spoons or sticks for mixing. The more the children mix in the citric acid, the lighter, fluffier, and bigger foam they'll get. 
Enjoy getting messy with your toddler and most of all have FUN!











Tip out all of the containers into a large container - get stuck in with hands and mix for some extra foamy fun!

Have you tried this or any Science experiments with your toddler lately?
Charlene

Linking up with
 #ToddlerFunFriday

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Best of 2015: TOP 10 PLAY IDEAS for TODDLERS

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Last year was the start of something pretty cool. My son and I attended Play Centre every Friday and it soon became one of our favourite things to do. Each week, we were doing a fun activity, learning new skills and enjoying meeting and playing with new friends.
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Friday Favourites: Sharing the Blog Love #17

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Happy Friday
Welcome to 'Friday Favourites' - a weekly link up party. Link parties are a great opportunity for bloggers to get together and have a 'party', sharing their favourite, best or most recent posts from their blogs. Whether you are a blogger or a reader, it's the perfect place where you can make new friends, read some new blogs, and share the blog love. I am excited to be collaborating with some of my favourite bloggers - Lisa (Lisasaurus), and Maria (Happy Mum, Happy Child) - each blogger bringing something new and fun to the party!

***Please note: Our link party will now OPEN at 7pm (27/5/16)***

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Sunday Share #38 - Currently

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Phew! What a week - and it's only going to get busier - with Daylight savings starting today and School Holiday time. We were planning on going away for a few days, to visit friends, however something has come up and we are unable to go now. Feeling sad and anxious about this sudden change, even though it is out of our control, I still struggle to come to terms with the change. My daughter is the same. Tomorrow we are going to make a new plan, and try/do some new things/activities to make us feel better. It's the little things that help. I will let you know what we get up to next Sunday, in the meantime - here is what I am currently doing...

Smiling: at this photo. My daughter always knows how to put a smile on my face. This is just one of the silly things she does. Thanks bub.

Enjoying: the stunning Spring weather we have had this weekend! I managed to get through all of my washing, including bedding in ONE DAY - washed, dried, folded AND put away! WINNING! I am also enjoying watching my kids play together! They have so much fun together - they are best friends - Happy Children = Very happy Mummy!


Cleaning: THIS little guy! Enough said really. 

Having: a PJ Day! Yip, sometimes it's just got to be done, and we rocked our jammies this week. Do you have a PJ Day in you home? 


Organising: my gift wrapping supplies, Pantry, utility closet, one desk drawer, kitchen utensils, sheet sets and pens (lots and lots of pens) More details on the blog Monday - watch this space.
This is my Pantry - it's my happy place :) One of my friends said she would marry it! Love it.
Celebrating: Miss E's 2nd Birthday. This little girl loves Jake & the Neverland Pirates, so her clever Mummy made this yummy chocolate cake, with blue icing and M&Ms. It was delicious. The kids had a great time playing and eating party food. I really enjoyed catching up with my Mummy friends, who I haven't seen in, what feels like, ages. It's the second 2nd Birthday of our group, we have many more to come. I love birthday parties! Do you? 


That's all from me...what are YOU currently up to?
Charlene

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PLAY IDEA: Painting With Toddlers

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Painting is a great play activity for children of all ages. It is a way for children to be creative using different colours and textures of paint and to showcase their feelings through art. It is important for us (parents) to support and let our children paint their own way. Here are some ideas, tips and tricks for you to consider when "Painting With Toddlers"

There are so many benefits to painting, especially with toddlers. It helps children to develop hand, eye, arm and body coordination, also developing their finger and hand muscles. Children are able to experiment with colour and texture, and using this to express themselves. 

We (parents) can support our children by talking to them about their art work, naming and dating their work, display it proudly in our homes, and provide opportunities to paint on different surfaces, including their hands.

You can either set up a painting area on a table or if you have one, an easel. Put some non-toxic paint (or make your own) in some small containers, add paper and your toddler is good to go! Have an apron, paint smock or an old t-shirt available for your tot to wear over his or her clothes, because this activity can get quite messy, very quickly, especially in the hands of toddlers. 

Using an old egg carton as a paint tray is such a brilliant idea, because your toddler doesn't need a lot of paint, it's easily accessible, and clean up will be a breeze - once your little one has finished their 'masterpiece',  pop the tray in a plastic bag and throw it in the rubbish. 

Here are some ideas you might like to try, with your toddler, the next time you explore painting...
  • Try using different textures in a range of sizes and colours e.g. paper, cardboard, fabric, wallpaper to paint on. Also other surfaces such as fences, stones and wood off cuts might interest your child. 
  • Use a range of paints such as powder, puffy, poster, acrylic, watercolour, dye, oil paints or natural products such as watered down clay. 
  • Have a range of bright clean colours and shades to choose from 
  • Use different painting tools such as brushes, sponges, rollers, leaves, cotton balls, fly swats

Does your toddler love to paint? Do you have any ideas, tips and tricks about 'Painting With Toddlers' that might help others? Leave a comment below. 

Charlene
    Painting at an easel
More PLAY IDEAS: 


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