Author: Claire Garscadden

Hi Boys and Girls!

I wonder if you would be able to complete the jigsaw challenge!

Here’s what you have to do:-

1. Grab some paper, colouring pencils/pens and scissors.
2. On your paper, draw a picture of something that makes you happy! This could be anything from eating ice cream…walking the dog…dancing…or spending time with your family.
3. Make use of those colouring pens/pencils to add lots of beautiful colour to your picture
4. When you are finished, use the scissors to cut your picture into 5-10 different jigsaw pieces! Remember to risk assess and stay safe with the scissors!
5. At this point you could mark make numbers on the back of your pieces in case you loose any!
6. Now that you’ve made your very own jigsaw,  it’s time to put your picture back together!

Have a look at what shapes you are creating when cutting, how many pieces you have, what way you have to turn the pieces. Do you have to turn it, flip it upside down? Does it go above that piece or below? Does it go at the top of the picture or the bottom? Lots to think about!

Have Fun!

Wow, that was a challenge! Remember you can make jigsaws with your family and swap with each other to do different puzzles. We can’t wait to see what you create!

🙂

Today, we are Engineers!

Morning boys and girls, we are going to get creative and use what we have around us to engineer and build wonderful constructions today! We are going to discover 2D and 3D shapes as well as problem solving and physical skills.

The best building activities do not need fancy or expensive supplies – You can do this fun and challenging activity at home with your family.

Let’s take two objects to connect and join and transform these into shapes, letters, numbers, buildings and so much more!

What you will need:-

For the stick:                                                      For the connector:

*Cocktail sticks                                                     *Marshmallows, jellybeans, gummy sweets

*Straws                                                                  *Peas

*Spaghetti                                                             *Pieces of apple

*Lollipop sticks                                                    *Play dough/ clay/ blue tac

Once you have chosen your objects, (try not to eat any!) you can start to construct your creation. If you are using cocktail sticks remember to risk assess and be safe!

Can you tell us what shape you have made? How many sticks did you need? How many connecting pieces did you use? How many do you need to make a square? Can you make the first letter of your name? Can you create a 3D shape?

Have fun Engineers!

For the grown ups

To build a solid structure you need a design, the right number of pieces, a solid base, creativity and imagination. These objects from around your house will encourage your child to think about their build, count how many pieces they need, talk about shape, number, make predictions, solve problems and HAVE FUN!

Hello from the Discovery Zone!

We hope you are all having lots of fun and staying safe. We are missing you all so much and wanted to leave you some of our Discovery Zone activities for you and your family to enjoy this week. Make sure to leave us a comment and let us know how you get on.

From Annemarie and Claire xx

Today, we are Architects!

Your challenge: –

*To gather loose parts around your home and garden. These can be resources such as rope, cardboard boxes, string, wood, old sheets/material, pegs, branches/sticks, old bike wheels, tyres, empty plastic storage crates, off cuts of guttering etc.

* Look at what objects you have found and using paper and a pencil start to plan what you want to build. Look at what shapes you have, how will they fit together? Do you need something to hold it all together? Will it balance? Is it safe?

* NOW START TO BUILD, CREATE AND INVENT! We both know how good you all are at risk assessing so make sure you assess as you go and make your creation SAFE! Keep looking back at your plans you have made to check your build and HAVE FUN!

With your loose parts both indoors and outdoors you can create all sorts of fantastic creations! Whether it’s a den, a dolls house, a train, a volcano, a castle … We think it’s going to be AMAZING and cannot wait to see what you invent and create!

Information for the grown-ups!

(A ‘loose parts’ toy, is open-ended; children may use it in many ways and combine with other loose-parts through imagination and creativity.) These loose part objects offer limitless possibilities, they may seem like scrap materials and rubbish but to a child it is endless opportunities of adventure and play. They will take risks, learn from mistakes and problem solve throughout. This will increase creativity and imagination, be physical and active and communicate and negotiate with others.

Have fun and tell us all about your creations in the comments!

We all know how to blow up a balloon … but did you know you could blow it up with a chemical reaction?

Put your safety goggles on as you are about to become scientists!

What you need:-

• An empty plastic bottle
• A balloon
• Vinegar
• Bicarbonate of soda
• A funnel

This experiment is excellent for showing off to your family through video call, that you have a trick to blow up a balloon!

Here’s what to do…

• Pour some vinegar into the plastic bottle (about 1/5 of the way)
• Insert the funnel into the balloon and carefully add 2 tablespoons of bicarb inside
• Carefully fit the balloon over the top of the bottle (Be careful not to spill any bicarb in yet!!)
• Once the balloon is secure, hold up the balloon – pouring the bicarb into the vinegar
• Watch as your balloon starts to inflate!

This happens because of the gas produced when the vinegar and bicarb mix together to cause a chemical reaction.

Some things to think about during your experimenting:-

• Predict what you think will happen before you carry out your experiment
• Why did this happen?
• Does it work with other ingredients? e.g. oil? baking powder? salt? water?
• Why does the balloon stop blowing up?
• How tall is your balloon? (Use a measuring tape or ruler to measure the height of your balloon)

This is a great experiment to promote inquiry, prediction, observation skills, critical thinking and don’t forget measuring!

As an extra, I like to draw funny faces on the balloons first so that when they blow up they make my family laugh! Have a race with your family to see who’s balloon will blow up first!

Enjoy being scientists and don’t forget to leave a comment and tell us all about your results!

Have fun!!