Need something for the kids to do this summer that will educate them as well as entertain them? Or does your child want to make a heart–felt gift for Father’s Day this year? Here are some activities that the kids will love.
Gifts for Dad:
Fun Kitchen Experiments:
Makes about 1 quart. Make a special label just for dad.
1 1/2 Tablespoon olive oil 1/2 Spanish onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 can (28–ounces) crushed tomatoes 1 canned chipotle chile packed in adobo sauce, minced 1 1/2 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 1/2 Tablespoon cider vinegar 1/4 cup unsulfured molasses Juice of 1/2 lemon Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring, until onion is soft and translucent, about five minutes. Stir in tomatoes, chile, Worcestershire, vinegar, molasses, and lemon juice. Simmer over medium–low heat until reduced by a fourth, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes. Working in batches, purée sauce in a blender. Season with salt and black pepper. Refrigerate in a jar up to two weeks.
Source
Canvas Apron (washed) Solid Colored oven mitts Dye crayons, fabric paints, paint brushes, sponges etc. Wood handled grill tools Acrylic paints, pain brushes, clear acrylic sealer
If you are using fabric paints, allow at least 24 hours for drying time. Dye crayons are easily sealed with a hot iron and do not require drying. Cover your surface and follow the instructions on the paint or crayon containers. When working with younger children, stencils or paint sponges may be helpful. However, the simple drawings from a little one’s hands, are sure to melt Dad’s heart!
Prepare your surface. Pour the paints into an ice tray to keep the colors separate and fill a jar with clean water. Have paper towels or rags handy. Acrylic paint dries within a few minutes and even faster in the sun. It is helpful for children to think through their design ideas before they begin painting.
Teach younger children how to “dip & dry” their brushes in between colors or have a brush for each color. Paint the wood handles. Allow 30 minutes or more to dry completely. Then it is time for the sealer, a job for Mom. Follow the directions on your sealer container.
1/2 cup milk 1/4 cup half and half 1 Tablespoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 sandwich size Ziploc bags 1 one gallon size Ziploc bag 2 cups ice 1 Tablespoon coarse salt
Put one small Ziploc bag inside the other and add the milk, half and half, sugar, and vanilla extract to the inside bag. Seal both bags securely, removing excess air. Add ice and salt to larger bag and place smaller bag inside. Seal firmly. Let the kids shake themselves silly — shaking, tossing, and turning the bag. Ice cream will be soft and ready to eat in five to ten minutes. Enjoy! Top with fresh berries.
1/2 cup salt 1 cup flour 1 Tablespoon cream of tartar 1 Tablespoon oil 1 cup water Food coloring
Combine ingredients in a saucepan. Heat gently, stirring all the time. When the dough has a good consistency, take it off the heat and allow to cool. Store in Ziploc bag. Remember, this is to be used to play with, not eat.
4 Tablespoons (60 milliliters) vinegar 3 Tablespoons (45 milliliters) baking soda 1 tall, clear glass or jar Enough water to fill half the glass or jar 8 or more raisins
Add the vinegar and baking soda to the water. The mixture will begin to fizz. Drop raisins one at a time into the mixture. The raisins may sink at first. Soon they will rise to the surface, then sink, then rise again. The raisins will continue to “bounce” for at least an hour.
Combining vinegar and baking soda creates bubbles of carbon dioxide, the same gas that’s in carbonated soda. Bubbles collect on the raisins and lift them up. At the surface the bubbles escape, the raisins sink, and the process begins again.
1/3 cup (80 milliliters) light corn syrup 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) glycerin (available in drugstores) 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) water 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) vegetable oil 4 small glasses 1 tall, clear glass or jar Food coloring Funnel
Pour the corn syrup, glycerin, water, and vegetable oil into four separate cups. Add a few drops of red food coloring to the corn syrup. Add drops of blue to the water. Do not color the oil or glycerin. Pour the red syrup into the glass or jar. Try not to let it dribble down the sides. Use the funnel to pour the glycerin down the inside of the glass. Pour carefully to avoid disturbing the bottom layer. Wash the funnel. Repeat fourth step, first adding the blue water, then the oil, washing the funnel between steps. The liquids will stay in separate layers if you are careful not to shake the glass.
Each liquid has its own density. You added liquids in order from highest to lowest density. The oil stays on top because it is least dense.
