Boredom Busters: The Science of Glitter

We are temporarily reviving our Children's Blog to provide some resources for families who are stuck at home during this period of social distancing due to COVID-19. We will put together a variety of activities for you and your families - see which ones you can do, and if you get the chance, share the results with us on any of our social media platforms, which will be listed at the bottom of this blog.

Today's theme is The Science of Glitter!

Glitter Fireworks: https://lifeovercs.com/glitter-fireworks-surprise-kitchen-science/

We know that glitter is a touchy subject in the craft world, but in the realm of science, there is much fun to be had! Put a sparkly twist on baking soda and vinegar with these Glitter Fireworks!

All you need is food colouring, glitter (preferably gold/silver, but use what you have), baking soda, vinegar, a deep container, and a turkey baster or syringe to release the vinegar. Sit back, and enjoy creating your own fireworks at home!

Rainbow Glitter Tornado: https://www.instructables.com/id/SCIENCE-EXPERIMENTS-WITH-CANDY-GLITTER/

Watch all the science experiments in the video linked above, or skip ahead to the 2 minute mark. All you need to try this science experiment at home is a glass, water, a spoon, food colouring, and glitter. Create your own rainbow glitter tornado in the awesome and colourful science experiment!

Magic Glitter: https://abcsofliteracy.com/magic-glitter-science-experiment/

All you need for this activity is a paper plate, water, dish soap, glitter (different colours if you have them), confetti, and a cotton swab.

This is such a fun way to learn about the science of surface tension. The kids will have lots of fun making the glitter and confetti "run away" like magic. Try adding some different variables and see what happens!

Read All About It: Check out some of these fantastic books you can get from the library about glitter!

Glitter, by Stella J. Jones

Just Add Glitter, by Angela DiTerlizzi

101 Things to do With Glitter, by Momtaz Begum-Hossain

Hopefully these activities help break up the day, and get your family engaged in having fun with the science of glitter!

If your kids loved these activities, feel free to send us feedback or pictures on any of our social media platforms, linked below.

Library staff are available by phone (403-887-2130) or email Monday-Friday, 9:00 am 5:00 pm.

You can access all of our digital materials (eBooks, eAudiobooks, and more) through our website. If your membership is expired, or you need a membership, call us at 403-887-2130 and we can help.  
 
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All About Castles

We are temporarily reviving our Children's Blog to provide some resources for families who are stuck at home during this period of social distancing due to COVID-19. We will put together a variety of activities for you and your families - see which ones you can do, and if you get the chance, share the results with us on any of our social media platforms, which will be listed at the bottom of this blog.

Today's theme is All About Castles!

Lego Castles: https://www.instructables.com/id/Custom-Lego-Castle/

You can build just about anything with Lego. Break out the tiny bricks, or build a massive castle out of Mega Blocks or Duplo! Check out the castle above, or use your imagination to create your own! Try following these tips from Lego Land Discovery Center!

Castle Crafts: https://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/castlesartscraftsideasprojectskids.html

Whether you're using a cardboard box, toilet paper tubes, or even mixing sand and glue together to create a permanent sandcastle - all you need to make a fantastic craft is your imagination and a will to have fun!

Try this variation on a permanent sandcastle, or make your own fantastic painted castle!

Food Castles: http://alipyper.blogspot.com/2012/02/free-gingerbread-castle-template.html

I love building structures with food. Whether we're building the Great Wall of China out of sugar cubes, or the Eiffel Tower out of Twizzlers - food building is the best. Once, for a GISHWHES (the Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen) I had to build the Empire State Building out of sugar cubes, and then dissolve it in a time-lapsed video. I used glue ... it did not dissolve.

So, learn from my mistakes! Use icing instead of glue to keep your structures together, and you can still eat them when you're done!

Take a picture of your finished project, and share it with us on social media!

Read All About It: There are some fantastic books about sandcastles to read! Now that the library's open, check out these books from our physical collection!

Try Sandcastle, by Einat Tsarfati, or How to Code a Sandcastle, by Josh Funk. Your sandcastle will sail off in Sea of Dreams, by Dennis Nolan! So many books, so little time.

Hopefully these activities help break up the day, and get your family engaged in having fun with castles!

If your kids loved these activities, feel free to send us feedback or pictures on any of our social media platforms, linked below.

Library staff are available by phone (403-887-2130) or email Monday-Friday, 9:00 am 5:00 pm.

You can access all of our digital materials (eBooks, eAudiobooks, and more) through our website. If your membership is expired, or you need a membership, call us at 403-887-2130 and we can help.  
 
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Boredom Busters: Fun With Vegetables

We are temporarily reviving our Children's Blog to provide some resources for families who are stuck at home during this period of social distancing due to COVID-19. We will put together a variety of activities for you and your families - see which ones you can do, and if you get the chance, share the results with us on any of our social media platforms, which will be listed at the bottom of this blog.

Today's theme is Fun With Vegetables!

Vegetable Stamping: https://craftulate.com/vegetable-stamping/

Vegetables make great stamps for little hands! Try some basic shapes, like peppers, carrots, celery, cucumbers, etc. then throw in some broccoli or lettuce. You can use single stalks of celery to make specific designs, or try "carving" different shapes out of your vegetables. So many possibilities!

Vegetable Science: http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/vegetables/science.htm

Check out some fun science experiments you can do with fruits and vegetables! Try the Celery Stalk Colour Change, or Floating Potatoes!

Healthy Snacks: https://www.superhealthykids.com/recipes/13-veggie-snacks-child-cant-resist/

Getting kids to eat their vegetables can be a battle at times, #understatement. Check out some of these fun and fresh ways to get your kids to enjoy their veggies!

Make your own tuna boats with peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, and your choice of mix to keep it all together - try the tuna mix, or some healthy vegetable dip! The grouchy ladybug crackers are adorably delicious! Make them with veggie dip, or try some hummus!

Read All About It: https://ebook.yourcloudlibrary.com/library/prl/Search/vegetable

Check out some of our vegetable-related titles on cloudLibrary, such as The Vegetable Museum by Michelle Mulder, or Vegetables First, by Ricardo Larrivee

Hopefully these activities help break up the day, and get your family engaged in fun with vegetables!

If your kids loved these activities, feel free to send us feedback or pictures on any of our social media platforms, linked below.

Library staff are available by phone (403-887-2130) or email Monday-Friday, 9:00 am 5:00 pm.

You can access all of our digital materials (eBooks, eAudiobooks, and more) through our website. If your membership is expired, or you need a membership, call us at 403-887-2130 and we can help.  
 
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Boredom Busters: Water Games

We are temporarily reviving our Children's Blog to provide some resources for families who are stuck at home during this period of social distancing due to COVID-19. We will put together a variety of activities for you and your families - see which ones you can do, and if you get the chance, share the results with us on any of our social media platforms, which will be listed at the bottom of this blog.

Today's theme is Water Games!

Slip 'N Slide: all you need is a hose and a tarp! You can buy a more sturdy one of course, but sometimes the best fun is fun you build! Make sure the tarp is very wet when you start your slide, and be sure to leave enough distance between the end of the tarp and any stationary objects. No sliding through fences!

Water Limbo: use a hose or water guns as the "stick" for others to "limbo" under. Resist the temptation to splash them just because, and see how low they can go before they get wet!

Water Balloon Toss: this one can easily turn into a water balloon fight, but the goal here is not to break the balloon! Grab a partner, and see how many times you can toss a water balloon back and forth before it pops. Think hot potato - you don't want it ending up on you!

Water Balloon Volleyball: for this one, you'll need water balloons (of course) a net (or net-like area) and beach towels. Best played with four people on each team, but two-on-two can work in a pinch. The rules are simple. You must "catch" and "throw" the water balloons using only the beach towels. No hands can touch the balloons (except to place them in the towels at the start or when one pops). Two people hold one towel, and "serve" the balloons back and forth to the other team. If a balloon pops or hits the ground within the play area, the scoring team gets a point!

Hopefully these activities help break up the day, and get your family engaged in some fun water games!

If your kids loved these activities, feel free to send us feedback or pictures on any of our social media platforms, linked below.

Library staff are available by phone (403-887-2130) or email Monday-Friday, 9:00 am 5:00 pm.

You can access all of our digital materials (eBooks, eAudiobooks, and more) through our website. If your membership is expired, or you need a membership, call us at 403-887-2130 and we can help.  
 
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Boredom Busters: Yard Games

We are temporarily reviving our Children's Blog to provide some resources for families who are stuck at home during this period of social distancing due to COVID-19. We will put together a variety of activities for you and your families - see which ones you can do, and if you get the chance, share the results with us on any of our social media platforms, which will be listed at the bottom of this blog.

Today's theme is Yard Games!

As the lake gets busier and busier this summer, let's look at some close-to-home ideas to break up the day!

Lawn Bowling: You can play this with an indoor kids bowling set, or you DIY your own with bottles, a little bit of water or sand, and a ball.

Cornhole: You can DIY this game with some chalk if you don't have a board with a hole in it. Grab some bean bags, or create your own with some dried beans or popcorn kernels, and try to hit a target. See who can score the most points!

Horseshoe: Did you know you can buy a rubber set that won't damage your lawn? Don't worry if you don't have a spare sand pit lying around! Check out this kid-friendly version with bottles and popsicle sticks!

Disc Slam/KanJam: This game will test your coordination! All you need is a frisbee and a bucket! One per stands over the bucket, and the other sends the frisbee towards them. The person standing over the bucket tries to slam the frisbee into the bucket. You can do this in pairs and still social distance, and make a competition out of it. See who can slam the most frisbees! 

Hopefully these activities help break up the day, and get your family engaged in some fun yard games!

If your kids loved these activities, feel free to send us feedback or pictures on any of our social media platforms, linked below.

Library staff are available by phone (403-887-2130) or email Monday-Friday, 9:00 am 5:00 pm.

You can access all of our digital materials (eBooks, eAudiobooks, and more) through our website. If your membership is expired, or you need a membership, call us at 403-887-2130 and we can help.  
 
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Boredom Busters: Summer Recipes

We are temporarily reviving our Children's Blog to provide some resources for families who are stuck at home during this period of social distancing due to COVID-19. We will put together a variety of activities for you and your families every day at 1:00 pm. See which ones you can do, and if you get the chance, share the results with us on any of our social media platforms, which will be listed at the bottom of this blog.

Today's theme is Summer Recipes!

Salads: https://www.loveandlemons.com/salad-recipes/

It can be too hot for baking in the summer, but it is definitely the season of salads! I love Greek Salad, with all of it's freshness, and Feta cheese is just the best! Broccoli Salad is scrumptious, and you can add in some great extras to make it your own! Potato Salad is great for a summer cookout!

If you've been growing a garden, this is the perfect time to put some of those fresh veggies to work!

Cooking With Peaches: https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g1499/peach-recipes/

Peaches are one of my favourite fruits, and favourite things to cook with. They're great in parfaits, wonderful in cobblers, and they make the most delicious tartlets! For a refreshing drink on a hot summer day, try some raspberry peach lemonade!

Have you ever had a peach cinnamon roll? What are you waiting for?

Apple Fruit Donuts: https://www.hellowonderful.co/post/EASY-APPLE-FRUIT-DONUTS--HEALTHY-KID-SNACK/#_a5y_p=5448383

This is probably one of the coolest and the cutest snacks I've ever seen! All you need is apples, cream cheese, food colouring, and sprinkles! Let the kids decorate their own slices, and enjoy this tasty and artistic snack!

Mini Jello Aquariums: http://www.confessionsofacookbookqueen.com/mini-jello-fish-bowls/

We had our healthy snacks, now it's time to get silly! Even if you don't have all the materials for this project, jello and gummy fish are a great fun snack!

Hopefully these activities help break up the day, and get your family engaged in making some delicious summer recipes!

If your kids loved these activities, feel free to send us feedback or pictures on any of our social media platforms, linked below.

Library staff are available by phone (403-887-2130) or email Monday-Friday, 9:00 am 5:00 pm.

You can access all of our digital materials (eBooks, eAudiobooks, and more) through our website. If your membership is expired, or you need a membership, call us at 403-887-2130 and we can help.  
 
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Boredom Busters: Make the Most of a Rainy Day

We are temporarily reviving our Children's Blog to provide some resources for families who are stuck at home during this period of social distancing due to COVID-19. We will put together a variety of activities for you and your families every day at 1:00 pm. See which ones you can do, and if you get the chance, share the results with us on any of our social media platforms, which will be listed at the bottom of this blog.

Today's theme is Make the Most of a Rainy Day!

Lego Challenge: http://legoquestkids.blogspot.com/2010/01/1-car-creations.html

Have a Lego building day! Create challenges to build, and see who can make the best or strongest creation. Try building a car, like some of the examples in the link above, or build a creature, or even a birdhouse! The possibilities are endless!

Check out some of these fun Lego-themed books on cloudLibrary!

Play Dough Adventures: http://www.familytime.com/ShowArticle.aspx?ArticleId=931&CI=17

Who doesn't love building and creating with Play Dough? Try the homemade recipe linked above, or break out the store-bought variety. You can use some of the same challenges you came up with for Lego, or pull out some cookie cutters and start pressing out some fun shapes.

Mixed Media Play Dough Art is a great way for kids to engage in sensory and creative play, and they can come up with some truly stunning art pieces. Give it a try! Then check out Recipes for Play, by Rachel Sumner and Ruth Mitchener on cloudLibrary!

Movies and Popcorn: https://www.saltycanary.com/diy-old-fashioned-cranberry-popcorn-garland/

Rainy days are the best time to sit back and watch movies together. Break out the popcorn, but add a twist and string it together with cranberries! Decorate the room before filling your bellies (or maybe do both at the same time!).

Try some different recipes and seasonings, make some popcorn crowns and bracelets. The only limit is your imagination ... and popcorn supply ;)

House of Cards: https://www.realplaycoalition.com/activities-for-kids/how-to-build-a-house-of-cards/

Older cards work best for this activity! Follow the steps link above to make your basic triangle/base for the house/tower of cards, and once you have the hang of it, start branching off into different structures and designs.

Here are some other ways to build your structures! You can do it!

Hopefully these activities help break up the day, and get your family engaged in making the most of a rainy day!

If your kids loved these activities, feel free to send us feedback or pictures on any of our social media platforms, linked below.

Library staff are available by phone (403-887-2130) or email Monday-Friday, 9:00 am 5:00 pm.

You can access all of our digital materials (eBooks, eAudiobooks, and more) through our website. If your membership is expired, or you need a membership, call us at 403-887-2130 and we can help.  
 
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