Sensory : Seeing with our Ears

Have you ever taken your kids on a blindfolded walk?

You should try it!

The sights, sounds, and smells, are such an experience for those little minds.

I took my kids to the local nature reserve.

The rule was one blindfolded person, and one guide.

The 3 year old didn't like this. But, she is 3 and 3 year olds don't like anything.

The other kids loved it!

We stopped, listened and observed.

It was cold, but so peaceful and quiet.

When we got home, we took notes of our observations and drew pictures of what we 

heard but couldn't see.

I love being outside, even if it is fall/winter.

There are less people out, and the kids have more room to enjoy.

You should try it!

Easy Science : Bubble Making

Kids love making stuff, especially if its cool, and something that they know you have bought before but can make yourself!

 Coat Hangers, Straws, Joy, Glycerin, measuring cups, large container (to put everything in) and smallish container (i used mini pie tins)

Coat hangers are for making wands:

Straws are for wands too!

Mix 2/3 cup Joy, with 1/3 cup glycerin, and 1 QT water.

See how those Hospital Jugs come in handy? :)

We also use them for the bathtub. :)

Ready, Set, Blow!

 I couldn't help myself!

PS - these are not edible!

 oh dear!

These stay good for one week in the fridge!

Have fun!

Date Night : Picnic Dinner at the Lake

My kids always get jealous when we have our date nights. 

They love their sitter, but love to go out too!

Each kid in our house gets one night a month with Daddy to go somewhere special.

The next month it is a night with Mommy.

We do silly things like go out for an ice cream cone, or ride bikes, or play a game.

This was one of our family resolutions to strengthen our relationships with each other.

So far it has been EXCELLENT!

Tonight's Family Fun Activity was a Family Date!

We packed sandwiches and went to the lake.

It was so nice to be "unplugged."

We enjoyed listening to the sounds of the outdoors.

 Then my husband took the kids to the other side of the lake to teach them how to skip rocks.

Quiet, Fun, Peaceful.

Just what the family needed.

Ladybug Life Cycle

I went to THIS WEBSTITE to teach the kids about Ladybug anatomy.

It is very kid friendly.

Then we went on to discuss the life cycle of the Ladybug.

Printed THIS PAGE OUT , colored it and then made a real model of it with rocks!

Here!

 We painted Ladybug rocks.

 wrote some labels.

 drew on rocks

 then put it all together.

Ivory Soap, Paint!

So, after you have turned it into a slightly stinky, but really cool cloud, you tear it up into pieces. The kids love to do this!

 Put it in a mixer, and add 1/4 to 1/2 cup warm water.  you want it to be smooth, but NOT runny.

 It looks so weird.

 Put it in baggies, and add the coloring, then let the kids smoosh.

 

 Awesome!

 Then, cut the tips off and explain to your kids how piping works, because that is what they are going to do in the tub! "Back to the tub, kids!" you will shout with excitement! LOL

 Then, let them have their fun!

 

 Here is what it looks like.

 Then, check out the designs and then let them swish it with their hands, for added enjoyment!

 Sensory Fun!

 

 Yay!

It is fun, clean, and - washable!

More to come!

Texture Play

Everyone loves PlayDoh in my house. Last night for family night we talked about impressions and fossils.

So, we had the kids search through the house that were different textures, or patterns.

They found a comb, coins, legos, a key, pipe cleaners, a dryer sheet, a chain, and bubble wrap. 

(we may have hinted to ideas)

Then it was time to have at it!

We do family night after bath, so please excuse the wet hair and jammies. :)

This is a great fine motor activity. It also helps distinguish textural differences.

 The kids all had a blast!

 Even the one year old took a stab at it...literally!

This was just another fun way to use play doh.

We talked about ridges, grooves, indentations, and textures. They each learned new descriptive words.

We also had them predict what would happen on the other side if they pushed too hard or too soft.

Really nice and quiet activity. :)