It’s Friday and the last day of school before the Holiday Break. If you’re like most parents, you’ve given a lot of thought to decorations, how you are going to safely connect with family, and if you’ve received all the Amazon boxes you think you should have ordered. However, one thing you might not have considered is how to entertain your kids during their break. No fear, we’re here to provide you with three at-home activities we are sure your kids will enjoy. All three activities are recommended for school-age children and we based supply needs on two participants.
1. The Abominable Snowman Fortress
Here’s a great activity that will ignite your kid’s curiosity and imagination. We’ve constructed the activity and your supply needs based on two participants. Have fun with the marshmallows but try not to eat the fortress!
Tell em’ This…
The Abominable Snowman’s cave was taken over by bats and he needs a new hide-out. Your challenge is to create a really awesome fortress for him out of the materials provided. Use playdough to create your Abominable Snowman
Supplies:
- 1 styrofoam bowl
- 30 toothpicks
- 40 mini marshmallows for two kids is fine
- Playdough
- Printed questions
Activity Instructions:
Work in teams of two to complete the activity. At the end of the activity allow for time to complete the worksheet or come together.
2. Salt Snowflakes
Living in Texas, this might be the closest thing to real snowflakes we’ll see this season, so make them count. This is a fun project that is easy to do and makes a great gift for grandma!
Supplies:
- Salt
- Styrofoam bowls
- Glue Bottles
- Cardstock (1 per child)
- Crayons
Activity Instructions:
- Hand each child a piece of cardstock and have them write their names on the back of the paper
- Give each table some crayons and then color the background for their snowflakes. Have them color the entire piece of cardstock. They can do one color or create a scene for their snowflakes. Avoid real dark colors.
- Have kids create their snowflakes with crayons
- Using the glue bottle, trace over their snowflakes
- Make sure each child has a small bowl of salt and when they have traced over their snowflake with the glue, they will sprinkle salt over the wet glue. Make sure every part of the snowflake is covered.
- Go to the trashcan and shake off the excess salt and let try. Voila’!
3. Frozen Erupting Snow
Snow is pretty amazing, but erupting snow has got to be one of the coolest things. In this easy and super fun ‘experiment’ kids get to create snow and then erupt it with the use of common household supplies.
Supplies:
- Baking soda
- 1 can of shaving cream
- A small bottle of vinegar
- Measuring Cups
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden Spoon
Activity Instructions:
- Provide some direction on this project.
- Give each child a task within the activity to keep them engaged.
- Pour your baking soda into a large mixing bowl
- Add the can of shaving cream (approx ¾ of a can will give you thick ‘snow-like’ consistency)
- Give the mixture a good stir
- Now to get to the ‘erupting’ part of this activity, pour the vinegar (approx. 1 cup) over your snow and watch the magic happen (pour the vinegar slowly, you may or may not need all the vinegar)
- Allow the kids to reach in and feel the ‘snow’ because that’s the best part!
We hope these projects provide some additional fun and learning over your break and wish your family a wonderful holiday.
