I am not really sure where it came from (perhaps Grandma D) but B-Man has been getting issues of National Geographic Little Kids in the mail for a few months now. The publication is great – filled with information not only on animals, but also about the world. One of the things I really like is that it includes activities that get kids using their minds, like matching images, crafts and experiments.
Most recently, the January/February included an experiment called Dancing Raisins that the B-man (and his older brother) was so excited about we just had to do it.
Here’s what you’ll need to get your raisins dancing:
- 1 tall glass filled 1/3 with water
- 4 tablespoons of vinegar
- 3 teaspoons of baking soda
- 5 raisins
Here’s a video of us doing the experiment. You’ll notice that I miss understood the directions and did 3 TABLESPOONS of baking soda, causing our mixture to overflow (opps!) and I think it also made our raisins dance like they were in their 90′s…… Regardless, if you have these ingredients at home, I’d def. recommend you give this a whirl. While our raisins didn’t get their groove on as much as we would have liked, the boys had a blast and they learned about buoyancy at the same time!
So here’s my question for you guys. Since we had so much fun with this experiment, I want to find more to do with the boys. If you have any suggestions or sites that you go to for fun experiences for 4-7 year olds, I’d love to hear about them!
I don’t have any specific experiments in mind right off the top of my head (and before coffee! lol) but the first thing that DID come to mind is Dr. Kaboom! http://www.doktorkaboom.com/ He’s full of total awesomeness and makes science fun. If your kids are into the experiment thing right now you should check him out..he has some videos on the site. I love this man!
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Doing a dancy dance!! =-.
Cool!
Have you heard of Productive Parenting.com? They have all sorts of things to do with kids… some really cool, some just OK. It only goes to late 4 though… so SM might be bored…
Thanks guys, these are great. Did either of you ever watch Mr. Wizard on Nickelodeon when you were little? I’d love to find a show like that.
.-= Shannanb aka Mommy Bits´s last blog ..Science Experiments for Kids =-.
we are so doing this today! My S loves science experiments and she wont eat raisins but would love to see them dance. She is going to think I am so cool for coming up with this!
I’m also going to look at productiveparenting.com; thanks Tela
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Science Fairs!
Get ready for this year’s science fair with a MEET ME AT THE CORNER, Virtual Field trip to Baylor University to meet Janice VanCleave, the author of dozen of books about science and science fair projects. Young grace (age 11) learns about what goes into making an award winning science fair project.
MEET ME AT THE CORNER, Virtual Field Trips for Kids (www.meetmeatthecorner.org)
is a series of free educational video pod casts is directed at kids ages 7-12. Each three-minute episode includes links to fun websites, a list of recommended books and a Learning Corner of questions and extended activities about the topic.
I saw that someone already mentioned this site but if you’re looking specifically for science experiements you can search on http://www.productiveparenting.com/ by age and category: science. We recently watched a plastic bag blow up with steam from boiling water (parent supervision required:)and the concept of ‘hot air rises’ made a little more sense!
Hi Shannan, I like Your Blog. Last year I bought microscope to my daughter and she started to do experiment by herself. I just teached her the operation and she continue from there. She examine leaf, bee etc.
.-= Dad@Kids Fun Activities´s last blog ..Activities for kids – Idea No. 4: Kids Halloween Activities =-.
Cool! I am going to try this!
.-= Ann´s last blog ..Free Biscuits and Sausage Gravy at Waffle House =-.
Ha!! Glad they are enjoying their mags!! xoxo
Auntie Allie
Very cool experiment. Thanks for sharing.
.-= Lori´s last blog ..The Ambien Chronicles AND Good Ideas I Have in the Middle of the Night…an epic combo =-.
National geographic rocks hard, tis a great little resource full of interesting stuff and things to do
.-= badger´s last blog ..The leaders debate – UK political history in the making. =-.
I think experiments like this are a great way to keep kids engaged in interesting and informative activities,when i was a kid i loved to do scientific experiments and i must say that i learned a lot from those little experiments.
great ideas. but, what is DID?
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything like this before. So nice to search out someone with some authentic ideas on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this website is something that’s wanted on the web, somebody with a little bit originality. helpful job for bringing something new to the internet!