Ahoy there, young sailors! Have you ever dreamed of hoisting the Jolly Roger and setting sail as a pirate on the high seas? Well, shiver me timbers, it's time to embark on a voyage of imagination and discovery! Pretend play is not only a fun way to pass the time, but it's also an essential part of childhood development. When you pretend to be someone else, you use your imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills to explore new ideas and concepts. So, grab your eye patch, sword, and treasure map, and let's explore the science of pretend play as a pirate! Pirate Ships: The first thing you need to know about being a pirate is how to navigate a ship. Pirate ships are complex machines that require careful planning and coordination to operate. Let's start by looking at the different parts of a pirate ship. The most important part of a ship is the sails, which catch the wind and propel the ship forward. But how do sailors know which way the wind is blowing? That's … [Read more...]
Fun with Jellybeans and Toothpicks
What's more fun than eating jellybeans? Making things with jellybeans and toothpicks, of course! These simple ingredients can be used to create all sorts of fun shapes and structures. So break out the candy and the toothpicks and let your kids' imaginations run wild. What are they made of? Jellybeans are mostly made up of sugar, which is a type of carbohydrate. When you put a jellybean in your mouth, the saliva in your mouth starts to break down the sugar into smaller molecules. This process is called hydrolysis. As the sugar molecules get smaller, they start to interact with the proteins in your saliva. This interaction between the carbohydrates and proteins is what gives jellybeans their characteristic chewy texture. In addition to sugar, jellybeans also contain something called pectin. Pectin is a type of fiber that helps to give jellybeans their shape. Pectin is also responsible for making jellybeans gummy when they're chewed. Toothpicks are made from a type of … [Read more...]
The Common Eider: A North American Bird Icon
The Common Eider is a large seabird that can be found in coastal areas of the northern hemisphere. Eiders are easily recognized by their black-and-white plumage and their large, orange bill. These birds are interesting not only for their unique appearance but also for their behavior. For example, did you know that eiders are the only bird species known to use tools? Keep reading to learn more fascinating facts about the Common Eider! Appearance As previously mentioned, Common Eiders are easily recognizable due to their black-and-white plumage. Male eiders have mostly white feathers, while females and juveniles have more dark feathers. Both males and females have a patch of black feathers on their backs, which is where their scientific name, Somateria mollissima, comes from—mollissima means "softest" in Latin. Common Eiders can grow to be quite large, with a length of up to 27 inches and a wingspan of up to 42 inches. Males are typically larger than females, but there is … [Read more...]
Free Printable Dr. Seuss Activities for Preschool Kids: Fun and Educational!
Dr. Seuss is one of the most beloved children's authors of all time. His books are funny and educational, and they teach kids important life lessons. If you're looking for some fun Dr. Seuss activities to keep your preschooler entertained, you've come to the right place! In this blog post, we will provide a free printable Dr. Seuss activities for Preschool kids pack that includes coloring pages, word searches, and more! Who was Dr. Seuss? You will learn a little bit more in our Dr. Seuss Activities for Preschool kids, but Theodore Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, was a world-renowned children's author. He wrote over 60 books during his lifetime, including classics such as The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham. Dr. Seuss' books are beloved by children all over the world for their humor and educational value. Dr. Seuss' stories have been translated into more than 20 languages and are read by children in countries all over the world, making him one of the most … [Read more...]
Free Winter Activity Set For Kids Printable Unit
Looking for some fun Winter activities to keep the kids busy? Look no further! We've created a printable Winter Activity Set For Kids that is perfect for when the weather outside is frightful. This unit includes a variety of Winter-themed activities, including word searches, crosswords, and more! Plus, it's all free to download! Do you want to build a snowman? In Wisconsin, we have winter up to eight months of the year, but not every month is created equal! We have different temperatures and kinds of snow each month. Occasionally we will see snow that is super dry and fine - no matter what you do, you cannot create a snowball of any kind. You certainly can't make a snowman! Print off this activity set and you will see that dressing your snowman is just one of the 12 pages of activities included in this set! We have snow days from school because it is too cold outside Mainly, this considers the rural segment of kids that have to wait at the end of their driveways … [Read more...]
All About Monkeys For Kids and a Monkey Puppet Craft
5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed is a favorite children's story. It's a counting story and a nursery rhyme that is fun to read or sing. Add in Curious George and we instill into children how fun monkeys are at a very early age. Well known for their interactive activities, monkeys have again proven that they are one of the most intelligent species in the animal kingdom. The East African vervet monkeys have been observed cracking nuts using a stone as an anvil and a pebble for a hammer! The Diana monkey uses tools to crack open hard palm-shelled fruits like coconuts which is naturally not part of its diet. These behaviors were first observed by Jane Goodall in the 1960s. The Great Ape Project, an organization that promotes the moral equality of all great apes, including humans, states: "There is no fundamental difference between gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos orangutans, and humans." Other scientists such as Richard Wrangham have stated the same thing. This statement has … [Read more...]
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