Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Exploring Wildlife

On our recent trip to the mountains, we loved observing wildlife!  It's usually the highlight of our trip and this trip was pretty special, because we spotted something that we've never seen before- except for at our zoo of course.

Yeah, our first bear sighting!!  I wish I got a better pic, but there he is... see above!  We were so excited!

Seeing Elk is always a treat!  They are such beautiful creatures.

Little critters are always fun as well.  I felt bad for this little guy.. little man would not leave him alone.  He even named him Yellowy.

Oh... and I even had fun observing my own little wild things!!

For more nature related activities and fun, be sure to visit my post at The Activity Mom.. Nature Activities. You'll find ideas for learning and creating with sticks and stones!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Monday, July 30, 2012

Ice Cream Activities

Recently, I posted my ideas for an ice cream week with the kiddos!  Well, we had fun testing ice cream, making a craft, reading an ice cream mystery and more.  Take a peek.....

Ice Cream Craft



Materials: ice cream template, tissue paper, markers, stickers, scrapbook paper, scissors

Ice cream Word Search


Materials: Word Search, pencil, and ice cream for eating!

Literature:
The Ice Cream Mystery by
Gertrude Chandler Warner

Should I Share My Ice Cream?
by Mo Willems

Ice Cream Taste Test

Images courtesy of DailyClipArt.net
Choose a variety of ice cream flavors for your kiddos to try!  Blind fold them or have them close their eyes.  Which flavor is their favorite? Can they guess the flavor? 

We tested the following flavors: Spumoni, Rasberry Chocolate Chip, and Pecan Turtle Trail

For more ideas for an ice cream taste test, visit No Time For Flashcards: 5 Senses- Ice Cream Taste Test




We're not done celebrating the joy of ice cream just yet. 
Stay tuned for more ice cream fun!

Jen

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Make Your Own Chewing Gum Kit-Review and Giveaway

My kids LOVE to make things... their own chocolate candy, cakes, popsicles- you name it!  So when I had the opportunity to review A Make Your Own Chewing Gum Kit, I knew that they would be thrilled. 


First, we read background information about chicle, the sap that comes from Sapodilla trees in the rainforest.  The kit came with this information and a short story about a worker in the rainforest and how he collects the sap from the trees.  It also shared about how we can contribute to saving rainforests by supporting workers.  My girls found this very interesting.

The kit includes the following: chicle gum base, confectioner's sugar, corn syrup packet, 2 flavor packets, and a black plastic pan


After reading the instructions, we prepped the dining room table.  I taped wax paper down, but you could use a cutting board or other clean, flat surface. You do need a rolling pin or bottle.

To soften the chicle, the kids microwaved it and stirred it.  Then they added the softened corn syrup. Yes, it has corn syrup and confectioner's sugar, but at least it is all natural. (no chemicals or synthetic ingredients) I liked that they included a container to heat the material, because it is very sticky.








Little man got in on the action, too!  He's stirring the chicle here and syrup. Is he tasting it, too? 


The kids had fun kneading the chicle mixture with the confectioner's sugar!  I loved how all of the kids could get involved even though the suggested age is for 8 and up!  Little man is lucky to have two older siblings to help him.


After flattening the gum, I did let my 10 year old use a cutting knife to cut it.  Carefully, of course!

Now for the ultimate question!  Did they like the taste of the bubble gum?  Hmmm.  What do you think?

They made bubble gum and cherry flavored and gave both
 a thumbs up.

A messy, but oh so fun activity to do with your kids!

To purchase:
Visit-
All Natural Glee Gum and Make Your Own Candy Kits.

For a free coupon for glee gum....
CLICK HERE.
To win...
I'm giving away one Make Your Own Candy Kit!  You can choose from three kits: Make Your Own Chewing Gum Kit, Make Your Own Chocolate Kit, or Make Your Own Gummies Kit.
Enter by visiting Glee Gum's website.  Come back and comment about which kit you'd like to win.  Be sure to include a contact email or blog address.

For extra entries:
Follow Creative and Curious Kids on google friend connect.
Like Creative and Curious Kids on facebook.
Like Glee Gum on facebook.
Like Creative and Curious Kids on Twitter.
Like Glee Gum on Twitter.
Create a blog post sharing this giveaway. (2 entries)

Good luck! Excited to be able to share one of these kits with my readers!
Contest ends  8/4/2012- (Continental US only) 

Jen

Disclaimer: I was compensated with one kit to review.  There was no monetary compensation given for the above post.  All opinions are my own and my childrens' and may differ from other's.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Learning the 50 States

Would you like a great way to teach your kids
the 50 states? 

...through music!
 
My girls learned all 50 states in alphabetical order by learning this song... Fifty Nifty United States.  Here's  a fun video that you can share with your children to help them learn all 50 states. 



Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas...la, la, la...

Jen

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