Baking soda fun

We've been indoors today. The snow was great to play in but there's only so many wet gloves and soggy socks you can take in one day. So, we got out some science cards that our big girl had for Christmas. There were so many good ideas in there that we struggled to decide which one to choose. As it was so wintery outside we finally decided that it might be a good idea to make some crystals, as they looked the most like snow and that seemed to be the order of the day.

This experiment was two glasses filled with hot water. We dissolved about 6 teaspoons of bicarb into this water until no more would dissolve. A short length of wool with paperclips at each end was placed with each end in the glass, hanging over a small plate. Left somewhere warm were it wouldn't be disturbed it grew lots even over the first couple of days. As the water evaporated the crystals of bircarb were left. Some got really large and joined up with the crystals left on the plate. They enjoyed coming down to the kitchen each day and seeing if theyd grown overnight. Very clever experiment done with minimal kitchen ingredients and a small area of kitchen worktop. Well worth it.

 

Above: The start of the experiment.

Below: The crystals after a week. 

Once they had discovered the bircarbonate of soda in the cupboard there was more excitment. There are so many science experiments for children that contain bicarb. I remembered one I'd seen on pinterest so we gave that a go too. Little man really enjoyed squirting his pipette full of coloured vinegar onto the tray of bicarb. He got really excited as it started fizzing and bubbling. They made loads of patterns and mixed the colours up until it was a fizzy mess. Brilliant.

The white stuff

We had loads of snow. Loads. Like I haven't seen for years. Even hubby (who goes to work come hell or high water) had a snow day as he couldn't drive off our small estate and the even some of the main roads surrounding our viillage were almost impassable. The local kids were off school too. Our kids couldn't wait to get out in it. I was awoken with screaming once they'd peeped through the curtains.

Well who doesn't like the snow?

I'm allowed to say 'Me' right? I Really don't like it. Never really liked it if I'm honest. Wet gloves and sore cold feet are not my thing now I'm older. I stay firmly behind the glass waiting for the cries of, "Mum...Can I have some more gloves?" They ran out of them in the end and the littlest ended up with socks on instead. Mummy fail! Must get more gloves. Four pairs each is still not enough.

 

Me being inside the house provided more entertainment though. Throwing snowballs at the front window was really really funny apparently.  Me jumping everytime they got a hit was bordering on hysterical for our little man.

 

On a serious note...

Playing together is a fundamental part of our home edding life. It may seem a lot like we're skiving and doing nothing. They're just learning through play. I tried googling 'Learning through play' to illustrate my point, but there's nothing I can really put my finger on. They're just being kids and enjoying themselves. Thats not so bad is it?

Playing in snow has its advantages. It has great build qualities and you can really go to town with your imagination. They didn't make your usual snowman. We had a snow bunny and a snowy owl in our garden.

Happy snowy days :)

Small things

Hubby had a great idea. He thought a mini microscope would inspire our little ones to explore small things.

Well it has, but I have limited photos! I attached the microscope to the lens on my phone camera just so you could get some idea of what they've been looking at. Not great photos but we've been trying really hard. They've been checking out snowflakes and trying hard to do it before they melt! Coins are a favourite thing to look at. Easily accessible and fascinating! Some being more worn than others was endless fun...for them ;)

 

Here's a (very poor) shot of the bicarb crystals that she made the week before. Pretty nice for a £4 microscope.