Space Games

If you have kids, or are just too drunk to care, then read this horrible article about how to wrap a garbage bag around your child. No, not to strangle them…even if you want to since we’re all at home. But, instead to “brighten the child’s mind”, meaning keep that kid out of trouble! Keep that kid from bouncing off the walls. Or keep your kid from peeing on your tree outside. Yes…I have had many preschool children actually pee on the playground. Future forest rangers/delinquents? Either way, read this article.

Part 2 of my children’s story. So with this children’s story I was more frustrated writing it than most things I write. I think it’s because I could care less about the 100 steps to paper machae a child’s hat, or how to make silly glue. I have been a teacher for many years and I’m at overload with researching fun crafts.

 

Read this article to teach your little scientists the wonders of space. As an Early Childhood and Elementary Teacher, Space has been one of my favorite units. Teaching this develops children’s curious and critical minds which helps in all subjects. Get ready to transform your home into a science lab. Don’t get lost in space.

Space Station

Introduction: This is a craft activity that I have done in one of my preschool classes. I decided that having something they can be a part of, like a space station. Droning on and on has never worked on a child that I’ve known, unless they’re asleep. will be the dramatic play that will help them learn.

Supplies: 3 cardboard boxes, (can be changed if only have one box), scizzors, clear duct tape (if you don’t have this you can use colored duct tape, it just will show more), paper

Steps:

1. Cut one side of the box to make it flat.
2. Reinforce the cardboard by taping over the cut parts.
3. Draw a curved line at the top of each flattened box and cut with scissors.
4. Bend the boxes to make them 3-D and tape the sides of the boxes together (inside and outside). Tape the nose of the rocket last.
5. Use the cardboard scraps to make the “wings” at the bottom of the rocket and tape together.

Ready for take-off!

Space Stones

We are going on a voyage to space with a mission…to collect space rocks in your backyard. Then we will enable your color mixing powers. Wait one Earth night and when the sun rises Space Stones will appear in your living room.

Resources, Solar System Chart, Color Mixing Chart

Supplies:

• 8 rocks
• Colored paint-red, blue, orange, pink, black, green, brown, white.
• Paintbrush
• Water cup
• Painting pallet (if you don’t have this, you can use a piece of wood, cardboard, or paper to put your paints on).
• Solar System Chart (seen above)
• Color Mixing Chart (seen above)

Steps:

1. Collect 8 medium-large size rocks.
2. Practice mixing colors using the color mixing charts as references. While doing this ask your child to recognize the colors. Ask them which color is their favorite!
   • 1. purple-mix blue and red to make purple.
     2. Red-orange and purple to make red.
     3. Green mix-blue and yellow to make green.
     4. Grey-black and white to make grey.
     5. Orange-mix red and yellow
     6. Brown-mix yellow, and red. You can also mix 2 complementary colors together to make brown, like blue and orange, red and green, or yellow and purple. Basically you can mix any colors except for white and black to make brown.
3. Compare each planet in the solar system using the chart above to your paint. Which colors match?
4. Now you can paint your rocks. You don’t have to paint them just like the pictures. The point is to recognize, create and have fun! Even if you just put a circle of paint on each, that’s the point!
5. Let the rocks dry in a safe space overnight, away from little hands and pesky dogs. Ask your child, what do you think will happen to the rocks and paint when we leave them here overnight?
6. Wake up like it is Christmas morning the next day and examine your rocks. What has happened? Has the paint dried? Has the dog got them? If not, now you have your beautiful solar system rocks.

Rocket Launch Experiment

Introduction: Jimmy Neutron, get ready for blast off! This is a fun experiment where you can actually see the science flying into the air.

Supplies:

• Paper or index cards
• Tape
• Scissors
• Coloring utensils
• Film canister/Empty Prescription bottle with lid
• Water
• Paper Towels
• Antacid tablet (Alka-Seltzer)
• Watch or timer (phone app time works well and easy)

Steps:

1. 1. Decorate your paper with the colors of your rocket. Wrap the paper around the film canister/prescription bottle and tape it on.
   2. Cut triangles from the intex cards and tape them to the sides of the bottle for your rocket wings.
   3. Find a space where you won’t have the mess of the rocket launch. Turn the rocket upside down and fill the bottle ⅓ with water.
   4. Pull your timer up, because you are about to let the rocket fly.
   5. Countdown. Drop in a 1/2 tablet of Alka-Seltzer and snap the lid on tight.
   6. Fast! Stand the rocket up and back up! Stand back and don’t point it at anyone.

 

• Time how long your rocket takes to “reach space”.

 

Oreo Cookie Moon Phases!

A fun and delicious way to learn about the Moon Cycles using Oreo cookies! Combining food and science is a great way for kids to learn about the world with real life items. Experiencing the memory of the feel of the cookies and taste will associate a positive emotion in them related to science.

Supplies:

• Oreo cookies
• Paper plate
• Paper
• Markers/crayons/paint
• Vocabulary guide (optional)

Steps:

1. Draw a picture of the Earth and Sun and use the picture as a reference, cut them out and place on a plate.
2. Collect a box of Oreo’s. My personal favorites are Mint and Peanut Butter, but Vanilla Oreos will do.
3. Open 8 Oreos to the Vanilla filling and scrape off parts of the frosting until each one looks like the phases of the moon. This is great because you can eat your scraps.
4. 4. Place each Oreo on a plate like in this photo of the moon cycles.
5. 6. This is my favorite part. Eat your Oreos and rest dreaming of space with a full stomach.

Space Exploration Journal

Visual learners unite to recognize, spell, race and make your own Journal in the process! Recording their learning in their journal will give them something great to look at when they are older. They will look back through their memories and remember how much fun you gave them in their life! Now that they’re older, maybe they will finally buy you that boat.

1. Paint/color-in your cover page below. Remember for them to write their name! If they can’t, don’t do it for them! Let them learn. You can write their name and they can trace it!
2. If you want, take a photo of your child acting out space moves and glue it to the back of the cover to make it an extra cute memory
   1. If you’ve done the Astronaut costume ideas, use this photo!
      1. If not, take a box, cut holes in the sides and top and call it a spaceship! This will be sure to have them running around the house all day long! Maybe then you can get something done
3. Recognize the letters in each planet. Focus on the first letter of each word. Write the words of each planet on the lines below.
   1. If they have trouble with some words, have them write the first letter of each word. If they have trouble with this, write the words on the lines, and have them trace it. There are many stages to writing and everyone is at a different level. At this age, just because they are 4 and they have not gotten down certain things does not mean they are necessarily behind. Early in the years are when development is taking the most action. Everyone is a different type of learner! Now is your chance to practice along with them and show them you care!
4. Color in the planets with the example of this worksheet above. This will further their learning and put these terms in their head.

Garbage Bag Astronaut Uniform            

This is an exciting activity where your child becomes the astronaut. Use items found in your home that anyone can do. It is a dress up and craft activity. This is my favorite activity because even I would love to do it! I have done similar things with my students which had them laughing hysterically and using that positive energy which motivates them to learn along the way!

Supplies:

• Garbage bag
• Paper
• Crayons/colored pencils
• Scissors
• Tape
• Stickers if desired

Steps:

1. Measure how much paper you will need by wrapping it around your child’s head.
2. Cut the paper in small pieces that will be used for the astronaut helmet as seen below.
3. Tape the paper together for one long piece and decorate
4. Wrap around your child’s head and tape together
5. Poke a hole on either side of the garbage bag for the arms and one at the top for the head.
6. Put the garbage bag on your child and watch them fly through the stars of your hallways.

Pizza and Pom Poms

Introduction: Have a pizza in the freezer? Eat it up to start this science craft.

Supplies:

• Cardboard bottom from pizza
• Liquid glue
• Glitter
• Pom poms of solar system colors (orange, brown, blue, green, red, yellow, purple, grey)

Steps:

1. Eat the pizza from the cardboard…yum
2. Put glue on the cardboard in rings
3. Put a larger amount of glue in the center in the shape of a circle
4. Put glitter on the glue
5. Put a pom pom on the glue for each planet
   1. Use this picture to match the colors

About the Writer:

 

Caeli McKamey

A young published writer with a lot to say about real life. I’m quite interesting once you start listening (reading). Writing experience-8 years and counting. Graduated from The Evergreen State College with a Bachelors of Liberal Arts. She also has 4 adorable cats. View her website here,

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