Paperclip Chains

You can't get an activity much simpler than this. Paperclip chains (or necklaces or bracelets or houses) can be a pleasant way for the children to occupy themselves on a rainy day.

Positive Affirmation Book

This year Mr 5 started school, and with that has come a blow to his confidence as he encounters his first real bullying. As a consequence he's been asking me to tell him good things about himself. I thought I could do one better than that and so I bought a cheap little pocket notebook, and sat down and brainstormed and wrote down as many positive traits as I could; everything from riding his bike, to having patience, to things he's told me he likes about himself.

Using a word processor I put each possitive affirmation in it's own little box, and printed them out and pasted them into the book. The title of the book is one we brainstormed together.

The super pleased look Mr 5 gave me when he worked out what I was doing, and when I'd finished it, definitely made it a worthy project to have accomplished.

By pure chance I picked out Josh the Robot from the library this week. It's a beautifully written book about being teased and bullied, written by Peter Rowe. And the robot makes it appealing to boys.

Soda and Vinegar Colours

 

Another rainy day to fill with inside play. This time we chose a science experiment I saw on Homemade Serenity. The idea is simple, cover a tray in Bi-carb of Soda, fill some containers with different coloured vinegar and let the kids slowly drop the vinegar on the bi-carb.

They loved it! 

First (because we didn't have any eye-droppers in house) I taught the kids how to lift up liquid using a straw with their finger on the end. That's a nice little experiment in itself. I gave them two cups, one full of water and one empty, and asked them to try and fill the empty cup.

While they were doing that I set up the tray with bi-carb and vinegar. It was definitely something I wanted to supervise for, as there was a tendency to get a bit messy (it could be nice to do on a summer day outside).

Not only did they get to see the bubbling chemical reaction, but they could also experiment with colour mixing.

Fathers or Mothers Day Card

I really liked the bright colours of this card Miss 3 and I made. I helped her trace around her hand and cut it out, and she cut other colours and glued it all onto a blank card. So simple but satisfying, and a great way to remember the size of little hand.