Category: Summer

Summer Science: Alka-Seltzer Rockets

By Mariah Bruehl, 24th July 2013

Originally published as a part of the first annual Alphabet Glue Summer Science Special, this project has gotten great feedback from families looking for some simple and science-centric summer fun. Alka-Seltzer rockets might very well be the classic science experiment. Incredibly easy to put together and launch, these diminutive rockets are good entertainment with tons of potential for the type of trial and error experimentation that makes an excellent first foray into the field of physics.

This link will take you to a downloadable PDF file with experiment instructions, printable templates for rocket decorations, and a leveled book list filled with great titles for reading up on all things rockets.

A quick note about materials:
In the era of digital everything, film canisters like the type used here are increasingly difficult to find. For this reason, science supply and teacher supply shops will often sell canisters just for this type of experiment. We got ours from Steve Spangler Science (www.stevespangler.com).

Making Quick Pickles: A Summertime Adventure

By Mariah Bruehl, 23rd July 2013

We are a family that loves pickles and there is nothing like having them homemade and fresh from the garden! Heather of Poppy Haus is with us today to share a lovely recipe for making a quick batch…

We are lucky to live in a part of California where the farmlands meet the ocean, and you can lose yourself in the rolling hills peppered with wild dill. On a recent sunny summer day, we took a drive down a winding back road near the town of Tomales, and found a little creek with blackberry bushes and a wild dill grove. My boys worked together to clip some blooms to bring back home for a day of pickling cucumbers.

I have the apparatus to do home canning, but with young kids, I prefer refrigerator pickling, which takes little time or skill, and yields a nice, crunchy pickle slice. You just have to make small batches, and eat them within a few weeks, which is is no problem for my family. If you can’t find wild dill growing in your area, it’s in season now and readily available at most grocery stores and farmer’s markets. Here’s the recipe:

Quick Dill Sandwich Pickles

3 pounds small pickler cucumbers (Kirby or Liberty)
3 cups white distilled vinegar
3 cups water
¼ cup pickling salt (fine)
3 tablespoons pickling spice (a blend of bay leaf, allspice, mustard seed)
4 fresh dill heads
4 garlic cloves, peeled (1 per jar)
1 teaspoon dill seed per jar (4 teaspoons total)

1. Hot wash and dry 4 pint sized wide mouth jars and lids

(I use Ball’s plastic storage caps for refrigerator pickles)

2. Wash and slice the cucumbers to about .5cm thick.

3. Put the pickling spice in a layer of cheese cloth, and tie into a pouch with bakers twine.

4. In a large pot, combine vinegar, water, salt, and spice pouch. Bring to a simmer.

5. Arrange jars on counter and place dill heads, garlic, and dill seeds to each.

6. Pack the cucumber slices firmly into the jars.

7. Pour the brine into the jar, leaving approximately ½ inch head space.

8. Tap jars gently on countertop to dislodge any trapped air bubbles.

9. Apply caps and let jars cool.

10. When they’ve returned to room temperature, place jars in refrigerator. Let them sit for a day before eating.

10 Ways to Beat Summer Boredom

By Mariah Bruehl, 18th July 2013

Randi from Swoon is with us today with a lovely list of activities that we can share with our children during these precious summer months…

Having the children at home during the summer is a special treat, but I think we can all admit that certain days are more challenging than others. When boredom hits and the children start to complain, or worse yet, begin to get into trouble, it’s a great idea to have a list of new activities up your sleeve. We’ve been out of school for about a month now here and I’m starting the hear the familiar proclamations of “there’s nothing to do!” and “can I just watch more TV?” I came up with a list of new to us activities recently that I can’t wait to try. I thought I would share them here, because chances are you’ve hit the same point in your house. All of these activities can be done by toddlers and involve things you probably have in your house right now. Super easy, right?

1. Paint with Water. Yes, you read that right. Send them outside with containers of water and an assortment of brushes and let them have at it! Paint on the porch, the sidewalk, and the outdoor toys.This can also be done on a chalkboard. {Photo credit}

2. Pencil Eraser Stamping. Press the bottom of a pencil eraser into a stamp pad and use to make all sorts of art. You can make animals shapes, greeting cards or your own wrapping paper. {Photo credit}

3. Play with your food. Make lunch or snack time fun by making faces, animals, or shapes out of your food. {Photo credit}

4. Mr. Printables. Got a printer and some paper? Visit the Mr. Printables website and browse all of the amazing and free printable projects, like these clever bird finger puppets.

5. Make some Land Art. Gather natural materials from your yard or on a family walk. Use them to make fun designs on the ground. Find this photo and more inspiration here.

6. Set up a Miniature Scene. Grab a box or container and a few of your child’s favorite animals or small toys and set up a little scene. Make icebergs by freezing bowls of water and adding rocks for a North Pole scene. Or, use dried beans to make an interactive Construction Site scene.

7. Raid the Recycling Bin. A quick internet search will yield hundreds of ideas for cardboard and other things in your recycle bin. I love the simplicity of these hilarious monster feet-such a genius idea!

8. Grape and Toothpick Sculptures. How fun! You could also try using wooden skewers instead of toothpicks to make larger structures. The perfect just-before-snack activity.

9. Paint Rocks. Set up a workstation with newspaper, a pile of rocks, and some acrylic paint and painting supplies.

10. Practice Your Letters. Make your own simple letter activity using a shallow tray or box and salt. Find the instructions here.