Homemade Bubbles

This project gives children as well as adults the chance to make their own homemade bubbles.

Note: As in all recipes, results can vary depending on humidity, conditions, etc. Please try any recipe out before attempting in a group setting.

This project is rated VERY EASY to do.

What You Need

· 1/2 cup Dishwashing detergent (120 ml)

· 4 1/2 Cup Water (1.1 liter)

· 4 Tablespoons glycerin (available at pharmacies) (60 ml)

· Container with a tight fitting lid in which to keep the bubbles

· Measuring devices

· Spoon

How To Make It

1. Gather all your supplies.

2. Measure out the water, detergent, and glycerin into container.

3. GENTLY stir the mixture together. If a foam forms, gently skim it off the top.

4. Find something with which to blow bubbles and begin to have fun.

Note: The longer you let the mixture set, the larger the bubbles are and the longer they seem to last.

Bread Sculpting Dough

A quick and easy clay recipe made from bread and glue!

Note: As in all recipes, results can vary depending on humidity, conditions, etc. Please try any recipe out before attempting in a group setting.

This project is rated EASY to do.

What You Need

· 2 Parts Bread - approximately 2 pieces or slices

· 2 Parts Glue - approximately 1/4 bottle (Normal bottle of Elmer's Glue-All NET 4 FL. OZ./118ml )

· 1 Part Food Coloring (optional ) - approximately 2 drops

How To Make It

1. Crumble bread into small chunks.

2. Add glue. Mix immediately. If too dry or sticky add a little water.

3. Add food coloring for color. (optional)

4. How to mold:
This is just like clay, but you need to be careful not to crumble it, or hold it in your hand for too long (It may get sticky and stick to your hand!) When you want colored figures, I suggest that you color the dough, before working with it.

5. How long will it dry?
Usually, it takes one hour to dry. Due to amount and proportions. I suggest that you leave it in a cool room, (for instance, the garage, if clean enough) on a flat cookie sheet, with a nonstick spray, or wax paper on it.

6. How do I finish my items?
When you finish your items, spray them with either ceramic spray or hair spray, both do the trick. Also clear nail polish or high gloss varnish work. All work the same. Make sure the items have dried before putting clear finish on them.

Erupting Volcano

This would be a fun experiment for classrooms, daycares, Girl Scouts, and Cub Scouts. This volcano takes a bit more time to create than our easy version. This also makes a fun birthday activity for a Dinosaur Birthday party!

Parental supervision is recommended.

Note: As in all recipes, results can vary depending on humidity, conditions, etc. Please try any recipe out before attempting in a group setting.

This project is rated AVERAGE to do.

What You Need

· Large plastic or foam plate

· Brown FIMO clay (or another clay you can bake)

· Orange FIMO clay

· Plastic film canister

· Plastic disposable knife

· Wax paper

· Aluminum foil

· Tacky glue

· Cookie sheet

· Oven

· Alka-Seltzer tablets (generic is fine)

· Water in a cup (with pour spout)

How To Make It

1. Tear off a piece of wax paper and lay out on the table.

2. Tear off a piece of foil about the size of a piece of notebook paper.

3. Roll the foil into a snake-like form.

4. Wrap the foil snake around the base of the canister to create a wider base for the volcano.

5. Create additional foil snakes if needed.

6. Use glue to connect the snakes if you have difficulty with them staying in place.

7. Continue until you get the basic shape of the volcano created.

8. Knead brown clay until easy to work with then lay aside on the wax paper.

9. Knead the orange clay until easy to work with then lay aside on the wax paper.

10. Take the brown clay and push out on the wax paper until thin and flat. (Note: Do not use rolling pins that you would use again on food!)

11. Cover the canister and foil snakes with a flat layer of brown clay.

12. Do not have the clay enter the inside of the canister as you will need to remove the canister before baking.

13. Make an erupting lava look by using the orange clay and making lava drips. (see photo)

14. Remove the film canister. Make sure the volcano holds its' shape.

15. Tear off a piece of foil big enough for the volcano to sit on. Place on cookie sheet.

16. Place volcano on foil.

17. Bake according to manufacturer's instructions. Let cool.

18. Carefully insert the film canister.

19. Place the volcano on the disposable plate.

20. Add one Alka-Seltzer tablet to the canister. (Break tablet in half, if needed)

21. Add water about 1/2 way up the canister.

22. Watch your volcano erupt before your eyes!

Erupting Volcano - Easy

This would be a fun experiment for classrooms, daycares, Girl Scouts, and Cub Scouts.

Parental supervision is recommended.

Note: As in all recipes, results can vary depending on humidity, conditions, etc. Please try any recipe out before attempting in a group setting.

This project is rated EASY to do.

What You Need

For the Volcano:

· Large paper plate

· Bathroom disposable cup (3 ounce is best)

· Aluminum foil

· Scotch tape

· Scissors

To Make the Volcano Erupt:

· Water

· Baking soda

· Vinegar

· Tablespoon

· Cup

· Pan or tray

How To Make It

1. Attach the paper cup to the plate by taping the bottom of the cup to the middle of the plate.

2. Tear off a piece of foil large enough to completely cover the cup and plate.

3. Place the foil over the cup and plate and turn the foil under the plate edge.

4. Tape the foil in place.

5. Poke a hole through the foil into the middle of the cup.

6. Use scissors to make slits from the middle of the cup to the inside edge of the cup. Tape the foil to the inside of the cup. (see photo)

7. Now make your volcano erupt! (see below)

To Make Your Volcano Erupt:

1. Place the volcano on a pan or tray (or you'll get lava all over the place!)

2. Fill the volcano with 2 tablespoons of water and stir in a tablespoon of baking soda until it dissolves.

3. Measure 2 tablespoons of vinegar into a separate cup.

4. Pour the vinegar, all at once into the water/baking soda mixture and watch your lava bubble up!

WHY'D THAT HAPPEN??

Corn Chips

A fun way to make homemade corn chips.

Adult supervision is recommended.

Note: As in all recipes, results can vary depending on humidity, conditions, etc. Please try any recipe out before attempting in a group setting.

This project is rated AVERAGE to do.

What You Need

· 1 cup Cornmeal

· 1 Tablespoon Oil

· 1/2 teaspoon Salt

· 3/4 - 7/8 cup Boiling water

· Mixing bowl

· Mixing spoon or spatula

· Measuring teaspoon

· Baking sheet

· Use of oven

How To Make It

1. Mix all ingredients.

2. Scoop 1 heaping measuring teaspoonful of mixture.

3. Place on a well greased baking sheet. (Use plenty of oil, or they will stick)

4. Moisten fingers, pat out very thin.

5. Bake in 400 degree oven about 10 minutes.

Crispy Pops

This recipe is easy, it's fun, and it's great to eat! Kids love crispy marshmallow rice treats, and they love M&M's. Combine the two and put them on a stick, and you are a star in their eyes!

Parental supervision is recommended.

Note: As in all recipes, results can vary depending on humidity, conditions, etc. Please try any recipe out before attempting in a group setting.

This project is rated EASY to do.

What You Need

· 1/4 cup Margarine

· 1 (10 ounce) package Miniature marshmallows

· 6 cups of Crisped rice cereal

· 1 cup M&M's candy

· 12 (5 ounce) size paper cups (wax lined works best)

· 12 Popsicle sticks

How To Make It

1. Combine cereal and M&M's, set aside.

2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt margarine and marshmallows together, stirring constantly.

3. Combine marshmallow mixture with cereal mixture and stir well.

4. Mix completely until all cereal is coated.

5. Spoon mixture into paper cups and press lightly to fill.

6. Insert Popsicle sticks into the center of the mixture and press again lightly with fingers. Cool.

7. If you like, press half of the mixture into a 9x9 square baking pan and cool. Cut into squares.

8. Serve!

Play Dough

Provide cookie cutters, plastic utensils, and cups to use as rolling pin. The children will have a lot of fun creating with their imagination.

Note: As in all recipes, results can vary depending on humidity, conditions, etc. Please try any recipe out before attempting in a group setting.

This project is rated EASY to do.

What You Need

· 2 cups flour

· 1 cup salt

· Water

· Oil, optional (if you no not want it to harden)

· Medium sized mixing bowl

· Spoon

How To Make It

1. Mix the flour, salt, and water in a bowl. Add a small amount of oil if you do not want the play dough to harden.

2. Knead the play dough a little and watch the kids have fun.

Silly Slime

The longer you play with it, the more fun it gets! It stays fresh in a baby food jar for weeks. Try blowing bubbles with it, by stretching a blob over your lips and gently blowing.

Note: As in all recipes, results can vary depending on humidity, conditions, etc. Please try any recipe out before attempting in a group setting.

This project is rated VERY EASY to do.

What You Need

Note: This recipe is extremely messy. Be careful around furniture and carpets!

· Equal amounts of white glue and liquid laundry starch ( it's by the laundry products in the store). Start with about 1/2 cup of each.

How To Make It

1. Measure equal amounts of the glue and liquid starch, about 1/2 cup to start, into a bowl.

2. Stir thoroughly.

3. Let rest 5 minutes.

4. Knead it with your hands, until it comes together. Just when you think it is ruined, it suddenly turns into a wonderful long-stranded glob!

Magic Potion

Most of you have probably done this in science class at one point...it's loads of fun for the kids and would go GREAT with a Harry Potter or wizard party.

Note: As in all recipes, results can vary depending on humidity, conditions, etc. Please try any recipe out before attempting in a group setting.

This project is rated EASY to do.

What You Need

· Cauldron (see link to craft below)

· Water

· Baking soda

· Vinegar

· Tablespoon

· Cup

· Pan or tray

How To Make It

1. Create the Cauldron.

2. Place the cauldron on a pan or tray (or you'll get potion all over the place!)

3. Fill the cauldron with 2 tablespoons of water and stir in a tablespoon of baking soda until it dissolves.

4. Measure 2 tablespoons of vinegar into a separate cup.

5. Pour the vinegar, all at once into the water/baking soda mixture and watch your potion bubble up!

WHY'D THAT HAPPEN??

The bubbles that are created are filled with carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is a gas that forms when the vinegar (an acid) reacts with the baking soda (a base). For all you bakers out there, this is also what makes cakes and quick breads (the no yeast kind) get all nice and fluffy.

Tips

For those of you who don't allow Halloween, potions, witches or brews, this craft recipe is still a really NEAT science experiment!

Nilly Dillyicious Pops

If you are looking for a fun and easy recipe to do with the kids, try these deliciously simple Nilly Dillyicious Pops.

Parental supervision is recommended.

Note: As in all recipes, results can vary depending on humidity, conditions, etc. Please try any recipe out before attempting in a group setting.

This project is rated EASY to do.

What You Need

· 20 Vanilla wafer cookies

· 1/2 cup Peanut butter

· 1 (6 ounce) bag Chocolate or white chocolate chips

· Colored candy sprinkles

· Popsicle sticks

· Wax paper or paper plates

How To Make It

1. Spread peanut butter onto the flat side of the cookies.

2. Place an Popsicle stick into the peanut butter on half the cookies.

3. Top with another cookie so the stick is sandwiched between the two cookies.

4. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave, one minute, then in 20 second increments, stirring until smooth.