Cloud in a Jar

Have you ever wanted to see a cloud up close? Well here is your chance! Here are two ways to get a close-up look at a cloud.

The first way is to see a cloud forming right before your eyes.

You will need: a jar with a lid, (or a plate to cover the top of the jar), ice cubes, boiling water, and aerosol hairspray.

You will also need an adult’s help with this experiment!

To see this cloud form, first place the ice cubes on the plate or lid. Fill the jar 1/3 of the way with boiling hot water. Spray a blast of aerosol hairspray into the jar and quickly cover your jar with the plate or lid. Now watch as your cloud grows!

In our second experiment, we’ll watch ‘rain’ drop from the clouds!

You will need: a clear drinking glass or jar, water, shaving cream, and blue food colouring.

First fill the cup or jar 2/3 of the way with water. Add a cloud shaped dollop of shaving cream on top of the water. Drop blue food colouring onto the shaving cream cloud. Wait a few seconds and watch as the food colouring begins to ‘rain’ down into the water.

There you have it! Two ways to visualise clouds!

Posted by Maya in Science Experiments

Astronaut Maze

Help this Astronaut navigate the maze back to his spaceship!

Posted by Maya in Puzzles

Connect the Dots Constellations

Use this sheet and a pen or pencil to connect the stars. Make sure to follow the numbers so that when you’re done you will see the beautiful constellations you’ve created!

Posted by Maya in Arts and Crafts

Balloon Rocket

Balloon Rockets - Discover Explore Learn

You will need: a length of string or yarn, a straw, a balloon, a clothespin or other clip, tape, and a drawing of a rocket if you wish.

Thread the straw onto the length of string. Hang the string between two places, or objects, so that it has an unobstructed path. You could tape one end of the string to a doorway, or a chair or table, for example.

If you like, you can print off, or draw, a picture of a rocket and attach it to the top of the straw. Blow up a balloon and secure the opening with either your fingers or a clip, then use tape to attach it to the bottom of the straw. You might need help on this step!

Finally, release the clip, or your fingers, from the bottom of the balloon and watch as your rocket blasts off!

Posted by Maya in Games

Flying Saucers

These fun little saucers are simple and fun to make!

You will need: a paper plate, a pencil, a ruler, scissors, and stickers or felt pens to decorate the saucer.

Using the pencil and ruler, divide the center area of the plate into twelve triangles. (Like cutting a pie into 12 pieces!) Cut along the straight lines, leaving the base of the triangle attached to the saucer.

Fold half of the triangles downwards and the other half upwards, in an alternating pattern. Decorate your saucer however you like. Experiment by tossing it like a frisbee and see where it flies!

Posted by Maya in Arts and Crafts

Space Shadow Puppets

With these shadow puppets you can tell an entire story in space! Using scissors, cut out shapes from space. You can draw and cut out shapes of the moon, stars, an astronaut, a space ship or even aliens. Glue the cutouts to a stick.

Hold the shapes close to a wall, with a flashlight between you and the shape. Notice how the size of the shadow changes, as you move the flashlight closer to, or further away from, the shape. Watch the story come to life before your eyes! Let your imagination soar!

Posted by Maya in Arts and Crafts, Games

Space Rocks

These Space Rocks are adorable and easy to make! First find some smooth rocks and start by painting them black. From there you can make the Milky Way by sponging on purple, blue, pink and white paint, then add white dots for stars. Alternatively you can paint rocket ships, planets, moons, suns or even shooting stars on the rocks. Finish them off with white dots for stars. You can even connect the stars to make constellations!

Posted by Maya in Arts and Crafts