September 29, 2011 5 Comments

science experiment activities

Those who stop in know that my oldest is a scientist (his birthday party last year). What this means is that I have read too many bug books, collected too many live… and dead… oh yes… specimens, dug up too many worms, bought too many science kits and gadgets… but at the end of the day it’s all honestly wonderful because he is so very curious… and he takes his little brother and I along for the ride. My youngest, by the way, is into dinosaurs (his party last year)… so we have to go fossil hunting a lot too. {wink}

So yesterday I shared a customer’s science birthday party and it got me thinking about a fabulous gift my son received at his robot birthday party (details coming soon!) a few weeks ago, a book called 365 Science Experiments (written and tested by teachers is all is says for the author). It’s full of simple science projects, most of which can be completed in 15 minutes or less, perfect for busy families. I do wish it had a bit more detail on what you’re learning (again, because my son wants to know everything), but all in all, it’s a wonderful buy especially if your child is just getting interested in hands on science. Or, if you’re looking for simple experiments for your science birthday party!

So last night my sons and I created a pond in a jar for a school project. And so I thought I would capture it with my camera for his teacher, as well as for you.  This is my guy (with me holding on to his shirt) digging up mud for the bottom of our pond.

And this is a shot of our mud, and a small snail, plus who know what else… the girly in me was coming out… something I constantly have to fight back as a mom of two adventurous boys.

And this… well this is the algea that was growing on the top of the neighborhood pond. We just HAD to have some of that. Right?

This is my son using a very scientific tool (aka: a stick) to put some in the jar. We also had to collect a few live pond plants and plant them in the mud before carefully adding pond water to the side of the jar as to not completely disturb our new habitat.

The goal of the project is for the kids in his class to observe the living things in pond water over the next week. And the plants are for those things that don’t stay in water all the time. {skin crawling}

But no worries if messy science isn’t for you. There are hundreds of experiments that just require typical household items. As a matter of fact, the book is broken into biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology and weather.

As always, I hope you’re inspired to do something fun today!

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September 28, 2011 3 Comments

Vincenzo’s mad scientist party

I absolutely LOVE to see pictures from moms that have been inspired in the shoppe or here on the blog! Rachel from Mrs. Mouthy hosted this fabulous party for her son Vincenzo and wow did she go all out! That cake alone is just too fun and would be a perfect idea for a Halloween party too! But I think my favorite is the fruit molecules. Too clever!

And not only did she have frightenly fun MAD scientist goodies, she had a number of simple and super fun science experiments for the kiddos. Hop over to the Mrs. Mouthy blog to see all the details!

As always, I hope you’re inspired! And thank you so much Rachel for sharing!

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If you’ve invited guests with our invitations or styled your party with table decor or printable items from The Celebration Shoppe, we would love to see! Send a link or pictures to customercare@celebrationshoppe.com. (By submitting information and/or images you are giving us the right to publish your events details with the appropriate credits.)

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July 13, 2011 2 Comments

customer: a tested hypothesis

I love to see little scientists in action and at Kenton’s six birthday party a few weeks ago, he and his friends bubbled, poured and tested to prove their hypothesis: science birthday parties bubble over with fun!

Kristie did a wonderful job of decorating and planning the experiments. She used our science party printable collection and our orange and white polka dot table decor. And she raved about our custom science beaker and element butter cookies (baked and shipped from our partners at  Sweet Tooth Cottage). Told you guys they were yummy! {Thanks so much for letting us share Kenton’s birthday Kristie!}

You can see our science birthday party collection in the shoppe. And as always, I hope you’re inspired!

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If you’ve invited guests with our invitations or styled your party with table decor or printable items from The Celebration Shoppe, we would love to see! Send a link or pictures to customercare@celebrationshoppe.com. (By submitting information and/or images you are giving us the right to publish your events details with the appropriate credits.)

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June 10, 2011 2 Comments

customer: Hayden is mad for science

I actually planned to show you more of our recent art party photo shoot today, until I received this fabulous mad scientist party from our customer, Cindy. She and the birthday boy, Hayden, planned this party together for almost a year. In her words, “Hayden loves science and wanted his friends to enjoy some fun science experiments.”

As those who stop in often know, my son Alex was my inspiration for our science collection (my many posts showing his party last fall) and it just thrills me to see Hayden and his friends having so much fun.

The kids received goggles and lab coats at the “Scientist Check-in Station,” then went on to go through a retinal scan performed by Hayden using a large glow stick and finally received a mini makeover (aka mad scientist hair) before entering the laboratory (aka the backyard). Hayden’s dad, Steve, was the head “Mad Scientist” and led all the experiments with his very own lab coat and name tag, Dr. so and so. {Love that!}

The kids got to perform several experiements. Isn’t the slime fabulous! Like me, Cindy picked up a ton of supplies from Steve Spangler Science.

 

And this one is a carbon dioxide bubbles experiment. In Cindy’s words “Carbon dioxide bubbles were made using a ‘special’ jar purchased from Steve Spangler Science. Steve had to use dry ice to make this experiment work. It was a big hit! The kids loved wearing the glove that made the carbon dioxide bubble not burst. The kids also did an experiment to identify the different density of liquids. They just loved seeing the magic of the colors separating!”

Here’s a shot of Hayden and his fellow scientists. Happy Birthday Hayden! And thank you Cindy for allowing us to share Hayden’s big day. You did a terrific job!

If you’d like to read more about Hayden’s birthday and see more pictures, hop over to Cindy’s family blog, Party of Five. As always, I hope you’re inspired!

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If you’ve invited guests with our invitations or styled your party with table decor or printable items from The Celebration Shoppe, we would love to see! Send a link or pictures to customercare@celebrationshoppe.com. (By submitting information and/or images you are giving us the right to publish your events details with the appropriate credits.)

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November 19, 2010 5 Comments

science birthday party crafts

science-party-crafts

In mid-September I held my oldest son’s science birthday party (part I, part II, feature in Columbus Parent Magazine) and mentioned that I would share a few of the crafts: paper mache books for the book shelves on the dessert table, hand scanner for entry to our top secret lab and “Alex’s Lab This Way” sign.

science-birthday-party-paper-mache-book-craft

For the paper mache books, I simply purchased the books from the craft store, painted them with craft paint (absorbs quickly), stenciled on “Biology,” “Chemistry,” and “Astronomy” and then sealed them with a spray (also available at the craft store). The books actually open and can be used for storage so they ended up being little gifts for my son after the party and he uses them to store his collections… aka dried leaves, rocks, bugs (in mini specimen jars!). 

the-celebration-shoppe-science-party-hand-scanner-craft

The second craft was my son’s favorite. He had been planning a hand scanner for his lab in the basement so I thought it only appropriate to make one for his party. Mine wasn’t functional of course (he plans on his actually working and I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if it actually does), but it was fun. First I painted the board white and allowed it to dry. Next I painted his hand (yes, that is my baby’s little hand) and we stamped it in the middle of the sign. And finally I stenciled on the letters (cut out using a Cricut).

Unfortunately I didn’t get a great shot of the “Alex’s Lab This Way” sign that pointed everyone to the lab entrance, but it was accomplished in much the same way, paint and stencils.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone and stop back next week to see our new BELIEVE collection and a very fun and easy DIY Christmas advent calendar idea.

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5 Comments Filed under: crafts, Kim's crafts, scientist Tagged with: ,