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Summer Science Air and Gas

June 11, 2016 by Nikki Cole

Summer Science Air & Gas by Nikki Christiansen for Busy Mom's Helper

Summer is here!  I’m so excited for summer, warm weather, no school (not that I was in school or have any kids), but just the idea of summer and all the different activities you can do is amazing!  Now those of you with kids let me help you out with some really fun weekly Summer Science experiments you can easily do with your kids so they continue learning (without feeling like they’re learning) and having a blast with new experiments they can do and have fun with for hours. To start the summer off we will do Summer Science Air and Gas!Summer Science Air & Gas by Nikki Christiansen for Busy Mom's Helper

With these Weekly Science Experiments I’ll include a little lesson that corresponds with the activities and multiple experiments that go along with that lesson to keep your kids engaged with learning.  Now lets be honest, some of these experiments, I think you will have more fun with than your kids.  I don’t have any kids but there’s a couple of these that my husband and I had a really fun date night with doing little science experiments so enjoy yourself, these are to be fun not only for your kids but for you too, they’re cheap, easy, (not always very clean so I recommend doing them outdoors), and your kids will remember these memories for years!

This week, and probably next week because there are so many experiments that you can do, we are going to talk about and play around with Summer Science Air & Gas!

Lesson:

Air is all around you, you can’t see it, but it has many different strengths and it is what keeps us alive.  Animals, plants, and even you need air to live, we all breath it to survive.  Air is needed to make fire, is used to make machines work, even aircrafts need it when they fly.  Air is made up of “gases” or a substance that can change shape and “expand” or grow bigger to fill any shape or space it is in.  When you ride your bike the air you pump into your tire takes the shape of the tire so you can ride it around.

Balloons have a gas in them called Helium; Helium is lighter than air which causes balloons to float in the air, because the Helium is in the balloon it will take the balloon up as high as it can go, you can get a balloon and let it go outside and it will float up until you can no longer see it.

Parachutes float through the air by having the air push upward against it so it will slowly and safely lower someone to the ground.  Air is made up of two main gases, called nitrogen and oxygen, with small amounts of other gases.

Experiments:

Warning these experiments can be messy so do them outside instead of getting water all over your house.

Crush with air

Air is so strong it can crush a plastic bottle!  You cannot feel air, but it presses against every surface, this is called “air pressure”.

You will need:

  • Ice
  • Funnel
  • Hot and cold water
  • 2 liter empty pop bottle
  • Bowl

Directions:

  1. Stand the bottle upright in a bowl and pour the hot water into it.  You don’t need to fill it all the way, I only fill it about 1/3 full.
  2. Screw the top on the bottle.  Lay the bottle in the bowl and pour ice and cold water over it until the bowl is full, then stand the bottle up.
  3. In a minute the bottle will collapse!  As the warm air inside of the bottle cools, it applies less pressure.  The pressure of the air outside is stronger and crushes the bottle.

Crush With Air by Nikki Christiansen for Busy Mom's Helper

 

Seal with air

You can keep water from falling out of an upside down glass with just a small card like magic!  Air pressure forces the card upward, against the glass, the pressure is strong enough to stop the weight of the water trying to push the card away.

You will need:

  • Thin flat card
  • Glass (make sure the rim isn’t chipped)
  • Water

Directions:

  1. Fill the glass with water until almost full
  2. Place the card on the glass and hold it down so the card touches the rim all the way around the glass.
  3. Still holding onto the card carefully turn the glass upside down.
  4. Still holding the glass let go of the card.  The water stays in the glass! (warning this experiment seems really stupid and little but I found it very interesting and fun)

Summer Science Air & Gas by Nikki Christiansen for Busy Mom's Helper

Form a Gas

Have you ever inflated a balloon without blowing into it or using a pump?  You can by combining two ingredients to form a gas called carbon dioxide.  This is the gas that forms the bubbles in pop and carbonated drinks.

You will need:

  • Vinegar
  • Baking soda
  • Balloon
  • Funnel
  • Empty bottle (I used an empty 20 oz bottle)

Directions

  1. Pour some vinegar into the narrow-necked bottle until it is about a quarter of the way full.
  2. Using the funnel, fill the balloon with baking soda, fill it pretty full but not completely, I guess you could say mine was about ¾ the way full.
  3. Stretch the neck of the balloon over the bottle careful not to spill the baking soda into the drink yet or all over your table.
  4. Lift the balloon and slightly shake so that the baking soda falls into the bottle.  The vinegar begins to fi and bubble forming the gas carbon dioxide which fills the balloon up.

Form A Gas by Nikki Christiansen for Busy Mom's Helper

Balloon Rockets!

Airliners fly around the world at high speed.  They have large jet engines that produce a powerful jet of air to push the airliner through the sky.  We can see how air can push objects with balloons.  Did you now jet engines power the fastest cars in the world as well as high-speed aircraft.  A jet engine sucks in air at the front and heats this air with burning fuel.  Then it sends the hot air blasting out from the back of the engines which forces the aircraft or car forward at very high speeds.

You will need:

  • Thread/yarn
  • Tape
  • Balloon
  • Balloon pump
  • Drinking straw

Directions:

  1. Feed the thread through the straw so it will move easily.
  2. Stretch the thread from a distance like across a room, from your pourch to your fence, we did from our canopy to our fence which was about 40-50 feet long, making sure the thread is tight.
  3. Blow up a balloon and while holding the neck place two pieces of tape around the straw to stick to the balloon.
  4. Let go of the balloon and watch it rush along the thread at high speed!

Balloon Rockets by Nikki Christiansen for Busy Mom's Helper

Mento Geysers!

Now this one is a little harder to explain to kids but the experiment is amazing and kids love it.  The reason mentos react with pepsi and other carbonated beverages is because the structure of the Mentos themselves allow carbon dioxide bubbles to form extremely quickly, which when this happens fast enough you will get a Geyser.

You will need:

  • 2 litter pepsi, diet coke, coco-cola
  • 1 pack of mentos per 2 liter
  • ¾ inch pvp pipe about 6 inches long

Directions:

  1. Once again this is an outside experiment with some space and make sure you don’t have clothes on you don’t want dirty.
  2. Place the 2 liter on a stand or table and take the lid off.
  3. Unwrap the mentos and place them in the pvp pipe.
  4. Once all the mentos are in the pvp line it up with the opening of the 2 liter and let them fall in.
  5. You might not get all the mentos in because the reaction is instantaneous but just drop as many as you can in and watch the geyser form.

Mento Geysers by Nikki Christiansen for Busy Mom's Helper

Shaken pop!

Ever wonder why pop will squirt all over when shaken?  Carbon dioxide that we’ve been talking about is in are favorite soda beverages which gives it its bubbles.  When a can of pop sits the extra carbon dioxide will just sit at the top of the can so when you open it it just fizzes a little and escapes.  When you take a can and shake it right before you open it the carbon dioxide gets all mixed up so when it pushes out to escape all the pop will come with it.

You will need:

  • Cans of soda (I used diet 7up because its clear, wont stain, and no sugar so no sticky mess)
  • Cups or something to knock down
  • Table
  • pen

Directions: You can just use these as a water fight as well

  1. on a table set up some cups in a pyramid.
  2. Grab a can of soda and in the center of the tab there’s a little circle, punch a hole in this with the pen.
  3. Grab the can and place your finger over the hole and shake it for a few seconds.
  4. Point and knock down the cups.

Summer Science Air & Gas by Nikki Christiansen for Busy Mom's HelperSummer Science Air & Gas by Nikki Christiansen for Busy Mom's Helper

Filed Under: Kid Friendly Tagged With: activities, experiments, fun, kids, learning, science, Summer

Teach Kids About Emotions and Moods

May 26, 2016 by Kelly Dedeaux

Teach Kids About Emotions and Moods / review by BusyMomsHelper.com #ad

I received the Make a Mood magnutto junior to facilitate this review. All opinions are mine alone.

You know those times when your kid goes from happy-go-lucky and full of smiles, then suddenly their on the floor screaming and yelling because they’re so angry? I try to be patient when that happens, reminding myself that even as adults we sometimes struggle with our feelings – kids don’t even understand them completely, so of course they’ll get frustrated, too. There’s many fun ways to Teach Kids About Emotions and Moods, one being the magnutto junior ‘Make a Mood’ set!

Teach Kids About Emotions and Moods / review by BusyMomsHelper.com #ad

We’ve used our  ‘Today I’m Feeling…’ Inside Out themed printable before, and it was great – but it didn’t give them a chance to really INTERACT with their feelings. The Magnutto Make a Mood set helps them really think through the different emotions in a fun, playful way. Because who doesn’t love making faces with magnets? The box comes with two magnet sheets, and the majority of the pieces popped out SUPER easy. The few smaller ones (like the thin eyebrows) needed a little more patience, but even my kids could handle it just fine. There’s also an ‘inspiration sheet’ to give ideas on how you can use different pieces – but overall just let your kids use their own ideas!

Teach Kids About Emotions and Moods / review by BusyMomsHelper.com #ad

The box itself is the magnet board, and you can flip the ‘canvas’ are then set it in the two notches on the side…

Teach Kids About Emotions and Moods / review by BusyMomsHelper.com #ad

The dozens of magnetic pieces are easily stored underneath, which I find super convenient.

Teach Kids About Emotions and Moods / review by BusyMomsHelper.com #ad

I did really like that the pieces weren’t all hard and stiff – but soft and ‘foamy’ almost. I think that’s better for the younger kids anyway. You can let your kiddo SHOW you how they’re feeling, then talk about it together. Sometimes visual works much easier with young kids. Heck, visual works a lot better with ME even!

Teach Kids About Emotions and Moods / review by BusyMomsHelper.com #ad

You can use the included topics card for thought started while discussing emotions with your child…

Teach Kids About Emotions and Moods / review by BusyMomsHelper.com #ad

Not only can this help your child learn more of their emotions and what can cause them, but also how to handle them. It’s also a great bonding time, especially if you share YOUR emotions with them – then they can feel it’s more okay to have those emotions.

Teach Kids About Emotions and Moods / review by BusyMomsHelper.com #ad

Want more magnetic fun? Magnutto has THREE sets just released in April: Make a Mood, Make a Pet, and Make a Dino. The owner designed this with his two special needs children in mind, so you know special care and thought went into the development. You can check them all out on the Magnutto website – then get your magnet fun on!

More great kid posts…

'Today I'm Feeling' Printable Emotion Chart / by Busy Mom's Helper / Teach your Kids all about Emotions with your favorite characters from Inside Out! #PlayNGrow #ad

Teach your kids to tie their shoes with this shoe tying printable! by BusyMomsHelper.com

Have your heard of slow parenting? Great tips for slowing it down this summer from a child psychologist.

Filed Under: Products we Love Tagged With: learning, Review, sponsored, toys

Fun While Learning with Innotab

December 31, 2015 by Kelly Dedeaux

Fun While Learning with Innotab / by BusyMomsHelper.com / Plus a Giveaway! #sponsored

The product has been provided by VTech so I could experience it with my family; however, the thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

You know those moms who think kids shouldn’t have tablets, because then it could turn into an electronic babysitter? I’m so not one of those! Not judging them in any way, it’s just not my own opinion. My kids have tablets – not their own, specifically, but ‘family tablets’ they’re allowed to use, with our permission. Not only is it great when I have an important 10 minute phone call and need them quiet, but it also can be educational! My new favorite, the VTech InnoTab MAX, not only let’s me monitor and adjust the security, but they can also have Fun While Learning with InnoTab!

Fun While Learning with Innotab / by BusyMomsHelper.com / Plus a Giveaway! #sponsored

I love the ease of this tablet, especially setting up the parental controls! Even my Hubby commented on how nice the touchscreen worked. The kids were so excited that they could set their picture for the profiles, too! Hubby had to try it out first, of course 🙂

Fun While Learning with Innotab / by BusyMomsHelper.com / Plus a Giveaway! #sponsored

Fun While Learning with Innotab / by BusyMomsHelper.com / Plus a Giveaway! #sponsored

The VTech InnoTab MAX is targeted for ages 3-9, so it fits my three boys perfectly, while still being decently good for my 9-year-old girl.

Fun While Learning with Innotab / by BusyMomsHelper.com / Plus a Giveaway! #sponsored

So what sets this apart from previous versions or tablets? The 7″ multi-touch screen has high resolution, and it uses a rechargeable Lithium battery. It’s ran by a powerful dual-core CPU with up to 6 times the processing power of previous generations. Yup, it’s a tough beast!

Fun While Learning with Innotab / by BusyMomsHelper.com / Plus a Giveaway! #sponsored

Seriously, it has so many features and things that I just can’t mention them all! Here’s a few of my favorites:

  • Includes VTech Kid Connect™, which allows children and parents to exchange voice and text messages, photos, drawings and fun stickers in real time between the tablet and a smartphone
  • Educational bundle of eight apps that can be downloaded after registering the tablet on the Learning Lodge® app store
  • Huge existing library of age-appropriate apps plus hand-picked Android learning games

Fun While Learning with Innotab / by BusyMomsHelper.com / Plus a Giveaway! #sponsored

It even has a progressive learning content that adapts to a child’s skill level – this is especially helpful for my little Thor. It’s awesome seeing him learn and progress through things – and it makes him so proud!

Fun While Learning with Innotab / by BusyMomsHelper.com / Plus a Giveaway! #sponsored

They’ve built in fun little extras, such as an area where you kids can ‘WISH’ for apps they want – then you, the parent, can go in and see if you want to get that for them, or not. A neat idea, in my opinion!

Fun While Learning with Innotab / by BusyMomsHelper.com / Plus a Giveaway! #sponsored

As far as safety is concerned, it has kid-safe Wi-Fi and Web Browser to they can explore online games, videos and websites that were pre-selected by VTech. Using the easy-to-navigate Parental Controls, you can manage their apps, web access and even set limits and rules to their tablet time.

Fun While Learning with Innotab / by BusyMomsHelper.com / Plus a Giveaway! #sponsored

It allows you to track their learning development, too, which is AWESOME!

Fun While Learning with Innotab / by BusyMomsHelper.com / Plus a Giveaway! #sponsored

My Android-loving hubby was thrilled to learn it uses Android! It’s available in blue or pink, and would make a FABULOUS Christmas or birthday gift!

Fun While Learning with Innotab / by BusyMomsHelper.com / Plus a Giveaway! #sponsored

And You Can Win a VTech InnoTab MAX just in time for the holidays!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Gift, Parenting, Tech Tagged With: education, learning

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