| Here's a science activity for kids that offers basic | | | | seconds without touching the ceiling. The items might |
| exposure to density and the law of gravity. It also | | | | include marbles, buttons, bottle caps and Q-Tips. Put |
| gives your child an opportunity to engage in the trial | | | | these items in a bowl for selection. Keep a pair of |
| and error method of problem solving. It's very simple | | | | scissors handy--as your child fine tunes the density it |
| and lots of fun. | | | | may become necessary to cut a Q-Tip in half. |
| You'll be making a miniature version of hot air balloons. | | | | Consider the following variation: put all the items in a |
| Each balloon should take about one minute to make. | | | | line for selection. Take turns selecting one item until |
| Your child will love helping to put the hot air balloons | | | | each person has ten. Place items into balloon baskets |
| together. | | | | and launch the balloons. The objective is to have your |
| Here's what to do: | | | | balloon float slowest to the ceiling. In order to improve |
| Pick up helium balloons from your community party | | | | results, each person may exchange one of their items |
| supply store. You'll need one balloon for each | | | | for a new item. Re-launch the balloons. Continue the |
| participant. | | | | process of exchanging one item after each launch. |
| For the basket part of the hot air balloon, use a paper | | | | Keep experimenting until one player causes a balloon |
| cup or 12" x 12" felt square. If you use a paper cup, | | | | to hover for ten seconds. |
| tape three pieces of string to the top of the cup, and | | | | There are many other variations to this science |
| then tie the string to the base of the balloon. If you use | | | | activity that you can pursue on your own (--for |
| a felt square, tie each of the four corners and attach | | | | example, log the difference in items used from one |
| those to the base of the balloon. (If you want to go a | | | | day to the next as the balloons lose helium). |
| step further, for a more realistic looking basket cut off | | | | Regardless of how you go about it, this activity will |
| the bottom four inches of an empty bag of specialty | | | | give your child an opportunity to engage in trial and |
| coffee and rinse it out-the material is perfectly suited | | | | error problem solving while gaining basic exposure to |
| for this activity.) | | | | density and the law of gravity. You may also find it |
| Your living room is the perfect location to get started. | | | | surprisingly adept at bringing out the fidget and tinker |
| The objective: fill the basket with just enough | | | | nature of parents. Have fun! |
| household items to cause the balloon to hover for ten | | | | |