How To Build Your Own Time Capsule

How To Build Your Own Time Capsule

It's officially summer!! When I think about summer, I think of nonstop fun. There are so many fun things my family and I love to do during the summer. We night fish, camp, ride the inner-tube behind the boat, swim, catch lighting bugs, and so much more. If you'll notice all these activities are outdoors, and unfortunately it rains a lot here in the summer. We don't let just the rain stop us from having fun, however if that rain is accompanied by thunder and lightening it does. 

Here is an activity for those days that you can't get outside.

Time Capsule 

What you'll need:

• A time capsule (you can use a jar with lid, coffee can with lid, whatever you have laying around that has a lid you can tighten up)
• Photos, coins, anything that you want to give yourself in the future (nothing of high value)
• Scissors
• craft supplies (construction paper, glue, ribbon, etc) to decorate time capsule

Instructions:

1. Decorate time capsule however you want. That's if you even want to decorate it, but it's more fun to make it pretty. 

2. Place items such as photos and coins in your time capsule along with a note to yourself with the time, date,your age, and any other information you would like to add. Close the lid on your jar and place it in a plastic bag.



3. Now find a place in your yard to bury it. Just don't forget where you put it. I suggest near a tree or some other land mark.







You now have a time capsule. You can go back and dig it up in a few years to see the things you put in it. You will be surprised how interesting it is to look back at those memories. The most interesting thing you will look at will be your photos and handwriting.  

Post Pebbles Passion Instant Win Game

Post Pebbles Passion Instant Win Game

Open to children 6 to 18 years of age only.

 

 Instantly win a trip for one (1) winner and up to 3 guests (location to be determined by Shaquille O'Neal and Bella Thorne), an autographed basketball, an autographed basketball jersey, an autographed copy of the book Autumn Falls signed by Bella, an electric scooter/with Helmet, a GoPro Camera HERO, a branded beanbag chair, a Disco Light CDG Karaoke System, a branded lap desk, a branded set of dancing water speakers, a music download gift card, or a Team Fruity branded water bottle.
Codes can be found inside specially-marked participating products (while supplies last) or you can request one for free by mail. To obtain a Code by mail, send a 3" x 5" card with complete first and last name, address, city, state, zip, phone number, email address and date of birth to:
Post Pebbles Passion Promotion Code Request
P.O. Box 760010
El Paso, TX 88576-0010
Enter once per code, contest ends September 30, 2015.

 

Good Luck!

Kid Cuisine Splashtastic Sleepover Sweepstakes

Kid Cuisine Splashtastic Sleepover Sweepstakes

Open to children 6 to 11 years of age only.
Instantly win a SpongeBob tent and push light. Enter daily, contest ends August 12, 2015.

Enter daily!

The Balloon Experiment

The Balloon Experiment

Chemical reactions are important to learn because they can be dangerous, but they can also be fun to watch! Your kids will love this experiment because it shows them a chemical reaction in action while demonstrating the power that such a reaction can have. As a result, they will be encouraged to explore the way in which other materials react to one another. This experiment isn't dangerous but will show them that combining chemicals causes reactions which in return can be dangerous. So be sure to stress that part while going through this experiment with them.

What you'll need:

• Soda Bottle
• Balloon
• Water (A little over 2.5 tablespoons)
•  Vinegar
• Straw
• Baking Soda (1 Teaspoon)

Instructions:

Start by stretching the balloons out, making it easier for them to fill with carbon dioxide once the chemical reaction begins.
Next, have your kids pour a little over two and a half tablespoons of water into the soda bottle. As you prepare the baking soda, also have your children get ready to attach the balloon.
After the water is in the bottle, add a teaspoon of baking soda and mix it with the straw. When the baking soda has dissolved, add the vinegar.
Immediately after pouring, have your kids attach the balloon to the mouth of the soda bottle. As the chemical reaction takes place, the balloon will inflate with carbon dioxide. Talk to your kids about how chemical reactions form. In this case, the reaction is between basic (water) and acidic (vinegar) substances.
This activity will show your kids how chemical reactions take place while demonstrating the power that they hold

The Study of Ants Science Experiment

The Study of Ants

Science Experiments we use as a homeschool family.

In some ways, ants are a lot like humans. That is, they tend to have a particular destination in mind, and they can keep track of where their going . They know what turns to take, they can remember where to walk and what to avoid, and they know their way back home. Observing ant behavior is a fun and easy way for kids to learn about how insects act. This experiment also provides a safe way for kids to involve themselves in the activity and see if they can influence the ants’ behavior.

What you'll need:

•  Ants!
• Ant Bait (the jar of a lid with some honey or sugar water)
• Obstruction (a building block, small book, small piece of wood)
• Journal

Instructions:

The first thing you’ll need to do is find some ants and determine their path. Chances are, they’ll be moving back and forth between their anthill and some kind of food source. In warm weather, finding ants should not be difficult! Take your child to where the ants are and simply watch them for a while.
Ask your child where the ants are coming from, where they’re headed, and what they seem to be doing. Make notice of how they seem to know and remember their path so well!
Next, set your ant bait nearby. Watch what they do. More than likely, one ant will go investigate it, report back to the others, and then lead more of them to where the bait is set! Have your child observe the ants’ behavior carefully; then, set the obstacle in the way. Watch how the ants react, and see how long it takes them to find a new path.
After a while, remove the obstruction and then see what happens! Talk with your child about the ants’ behavior, and note how magnificently they remember their routes and find new paths when they are obstructed.
Use the journal to keep notes about what's happening along the way.

Homemade Ice Cream Kid Friendly

Homemade Ice Cream 

Make your own homemade ice cream in less 20 minutes. 

What you'll need:

Ice
1 cup ice cream salt (coarse salt)
4 Tbsp. sugar
2 Cups half & half
1 Tsp. vanilla extract
Gallon-Size Ziploc Bag
Quart-Size Ziploc Bag

Mix sugar, half & half, and vanilla extract together. Pour mixture into quart-size ziploc bag. Press the air out of the bag and be sure to close it good. 

Put some ice in the bottom of the gallon- size bag and add 1/2 cup of salt. Place bag with mixture on top of the ice. Put more ice over the bag with mixture and add the remaining 1/2 cup of salt. Close bag. 

Now let the kids shake the bag for 10 minutes. They will see the mixture then to ice cream before their eyes.

If you're not crazy about vanilla or just maybe want to try some different flavors try these ideas:

• add chopped bananas to mixture
•  add chopped strawberries to mixture
•  add chopped blueberries to mixture
• add chocolate syrup to mixture

Enjoy!

60 Free or Cheap Summer Activities To Do With Kids

The weather is warm, the kids are out of school and you need something to keep them happy without breaking the bank. Emma, Ally, and I put a list of fun stuff to do together over the summer that won't cost much or will be free. Let us know what you think. Please feel free to add ideas of your own in the comments.

1.  Go on a scavenger hunt
2.  Have a PJ day
3.  Search for animal tracks
4.  Make your own Mad Libs
5.  Have a movie marathon on a rainy day
6.  Fly a kite
7.  Play volleyball

8. Go on a picnic

9. Play with bubbles
10. Draw with sidewalk chalk

11.  Run through the sprinkler
12. Visit local nature preserve
13. Find figures in the clouds
14. Play in the kiddie pool
15. Look for free museum days

16.  Take a hike
17. Make mud pies

18. Take a family bike ride

19.  Make paper dolls

20.  Water the plants

21.  Camp out in the backyard

22.  Start a nature journal

23.  Have a yard sale

24.  Eat dinner outside

25.  Go fishing

26.  Create an online photo book

27.  Make a craft from Pinterest

28. Teach your kids to cook

29.  Pick flowers

30.  Have a yard sale

31.  Go camping

32. Watch the sun set

33. Play cards

34. Try a new recipe

35. Try a new recipe

36. Play dress up

37. Go for a scenic drive

38. Catch fireflies

39. Create an obstacle course

40. Have a water balloon fight

41. Read books aloud.

42. Make popsicles

43. Give each other make overs

44. Take pictures

45. Make our own book

46. Cloud watching

47. Create a memory box or jar

48. Build a campfire

49. Play hide and go seek (in the dark)

50. Visit historical landmarks

51.  Learn family’s history

52.  Scrapbook our summer activities

53.  Make a map of our neighborhood

54.  Make a treasure hunt

55.  Visit our library (even though we do this weekly already)

56.  Paint our nails

57.  Go on a nature hunt

58.  Visit the pet store

59.  Stargaze

60.  Photo scavenger hunt

I'm sure there is so much more that could be added to this list, but we just couldn't come up with anything else. You are welcome to add anything I left out. I hope this list helps solve the summer time boredom. 

9 Free Learning Websites for Kids

Kid Tested Mom Approved

9 Free Learning Websites for Kids

These are a few of the websites that we allow Ally to use. Each one will be rated by her according to how fun they are. (Her idea)

1. Switcheroo Zoo - here kids can learn all about animals and play games. This is one of my favorites because it has virtual field trips, puzzles, scavenger hunt, and much more. I catch myself answering questions with her while she is playing games. Her favorite game is making her own animal.

Ally's review- 10/10

2. Funbrain - this one is packed full of Math and Reading games. There is also an arcade and playground. The games on this site don't have names, but her favorite has two characters on a teeter totter. You have to toss one of the characters in a pool. They do have some games that are not educational but, they are still suitable for children. 

Ally's review-9/10

3. PBS Kids-has educational games based on the cartoons they show on their t.v. station. This is more for the younger ones because an 8 year old is grown according to Ally. However, she does like the games Dr. Daniel and My bedtime.

Ally's review- 10/10

4. Into The Book - helps elementary aged children work on reading comprehension. This one has them draw out what they read and plays the drawing back to them as a slide show as the story is being read back to them. I love this site, but Ally is not so crazy about it. 

Ally's review- 2/10

5. Starfall - is more for the little ones learning to read.  It has some great games. Actually both of my girls used Starfall when they were learning to read. She likes the songs and the game Who am I?

Ally's review-10/10

6.Seussville -  doesn't have many learning games. They do have printable worksheets.

She didn't review this one since they didn't really have many games. She said it would be unfair to them.

7. Storyline Online - the best way I know to explain this site is an online library. Well kind of. It has a few books, but the cool thing about it is they read they book to your child. I may be the only parent that gets excited about a site or app that will read to my child. Yes, I do read to her daily and she reads to me daily, but some days I get tired and those little things do help. 

Ally's review- 0/10 (only because it's not games)

8. ABCya - this one has games grouped according to grade. The grade levels go from kindergarten to 5th grade. I'm not sure how accurately grouped they are because Ally plays the 5th grade level. She is extremely smart too. 

Ally's review- 7/10 

9. Highlights Kids - has games, stuff for them to read, and crafts. When I was younger we would get Highlights books and I always looked forward to getting them. This is a virtual Highlights book basically. We do a lot of Science experiments around here and this is definitely one of our go to sites.

Ally's review- 8/10

So here is the basic sites we use. We do use a few others, but I just wanted to go over a few of the most used. These are just Ally's, Emma has a whole other list she uses since she is older. I would love to hear of any other great educational sites out there. I'm sure there are tons I've never heard of.