Science Experiments
This was an instant hit. Even though he didn’t help me make it , it has been played with a ton. I think I may have a young Willard Scott on my hands. As a teacher I included checking the weather in my daily circle time, even with kids as young as 2 this sparks interest in science in a way that is relevant to their daily lives.
- Gather your materials. You will need a magnetic surface ( or cookie sheet), some magnetic letters, 4-5 sheets of foam, 4 magnets , a marker, scissors and glue.
- Start by drawing a sun, wind, cloud and a rain drop or umbrella on the foam. Had it been winter when we made this I’d add in snow.
- Add the magnets to the back with glue and let dry. Please remember if you are doing this with little ones that are still putting things in their mouths, use long flat magnets not ones that could be swallowed, or pose a chocking hazard. Adhesive magnetic sheets are a great option too.
- Add your signage, we only had one E, so a backwards 3 works in a pinch.
- Have your little meteorologist check the weather at the window
- And choose the appropriate magnet to put up.
Books!
” Weather”by Pamela Chanko and Daniel Moreton is the perfect little non fiction book about weather for toddlers and young preschoolers. It’s short and has big interesting photos depicting different weather. Don’t be fooled, it looks like nothing, but trust me little guys will ask you to read it again and again. It’s important that children get read a variety of things, not simply fiction, so don’t be afraid to get your child a simple little non fiction book like this one!
“What Will the Weather Be Like Today?” by Paul Rodgers is another wonderful weather book. It takes readers to all different environments from desserts to deep in the ocean and talks about the weather or lack of weather in each. I like the illustrations and the rhyming text, as well as the special section at the end of the book that uses photographs of children in different weather and asks the readers to answer questions about the photographs. Great teaching tool for preschoolers.
“What Will the Weather Be Like Today?” by Paul Rodgers is another wonderful weather book. It takes readers to all different environments from desserts to deep in the ocean and talks about the weather or lack of weather in each. I like the illustrations and the rhyming text, as well as the special section at the end of the book that uses photographs of children in different weather and asks the readers to answer questions about the photographs. Great teaching tool for preschoolers.
Volcano !
After a week of all things sweet and springy we needed something bold! Volcanoes are so powerful and fascinating . The science project bellow is always a hit, I know I made many as a child and have made more than a few in the last few weeks.
- Gather your materials. You’ll need 2 pieces of construction paper, red and yellow tissue paper, crayons, scissors and glue.
- Start by drawing a volcano o the brown construction paper. If your child is able have them do this.
- Color the volcano. We used crayons but markers or even paint would work.
- While they color jaggedly cut out the tissue paper.
- Cut out the volcano.
- While you are cutting it out you can use this time to have your child practice cutting too. This has been a favorite part of art time at our house lately. I hand my son some play scissors ( ours are simple plastic ones- they cut but aren’t sharp) and some scrap paper and he loves it.
- Time to glue!
add glue to the 2nd piece of construction paper and glue your volcano down.
- Next add the glue for the lava.
- Add the tissue paper- no need to be careful just smack it on!
- Let dry.
Science Experiment !
I’m sure you remember this from childhood, I know I do, especially the time I used red food dye , in the days before magic erasers. When we do this at home we normally do it in the sink to avoid too much clean up. I couldn’t get good pictures in the sink so the container worked in a pinch, although I have to admit I was worried it would overflow.
- Gather your materials. You will need a clear jar, baking soda, vinegar and if you want red sanding sugar makes great lava.
- Add the lava to the jar.
- Pour the baking soda into the jar- we used about 1/4 of a cup which was enough for two eruptions. Stir of shake the jar with the lid on to mix the baking soda and the sanding sugar.
- Add the vinegar ( again about 1/4 cup).
- Erupt !
- Be prepare for your child to beg for it again and again. Have extra vinegar ready!
Books
“Volcanoes” by Franklyn M. Branley is another great book in the “Let’s Read and Find Out Science” series. I can’t say enough about this series of early non fiction books, they explain things in easy to understand and interesting to preschoolers ( and school age ) way. This book was no exception, the photos kept my toddler saying “Whoa! ” over and over even if he is a bit young still for the text. This book would be great for 3-6 year olds interested in volcanoes.
“An Island Grows” by Lola M. Schaefer is so pretty it reminds me of what the store Anthropologie would look if it was a children’s book about how islands are formed. It’s part antique fabric, part funky modern floral patterns… this was the book that I was saying “Whoa” each time I turned the page. It does a great job explaining how islands grow from under water volcanoes too !
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