Sunday night I made up some base for the paints I want my little scientists to make tomorrow to use in their ‘Artists at Play’ hour on Tuesday. Basically paint is thickened colour so I mixed some water, with thickener (flour) and ended up with a white base:
I made it a little thicker than I eventually wanted it. The reason for this was that as part of their science lesson I wanted the little ones to colour jars of bases to make up their own paint. For this I added lots of food colouring to a little water, popped it into the test tubes and instructed them to add one colour to each tub:
And then give the tubs a good mix. We popped the lids on and put them to one side for the next days art fun:
The main science activity I wanted them to do was to handle and play with some goop. This is known by many names but is basically a solid that behaves like a liquid; or do I mean a liquid that behaves like a solid? Not sure- I do know that it is a substance which is neither fully liquid or fully solid. This makes it a very new experience for my little scientists. My dilemma was whether I made it before hand or let the littles make it as part of their science. I opted for the later. I gave each of them a tray full of corn flour and some containers with pink coloured water in them. I gave them enough that they could make some fairly thick goop:
I know I’ve said it before, but these one hour sessions are so good for B2. She is completely in the moment, so things that normally bother her, noise and discomfort, seem to phase out and become less important for that hour. Tomorrow we are trying a new activity for an hour: model making with junk. I know A4 will thoroughly enjoy this, but I’m not sure if it is too old an activity for B2. We shall see. It’ll be less messy than the paint today, that’s for sure!!
This may be my favourite of your Young Scientists posts yet! I love the concentration and glee on their faces as they explore!
B2 really wasn’t sure about the feel of the goop on her hands, but she would still keep going back for more!
I agree – glee and concentration – those girls are in flow! I love the colour of their goop. And thank you for teaching me a thing or two about making paint!
Can I advise you to look somewhere else for making paint ideas? I didn’t follow any recipe and although half of it was perfect, the other half turned out much like any custard I attempt to make: lumpy, thick, and really rather revolting!
Wow, this is really messy science! 🙂 I remember watching in horror the flour and concoction going all over the place when Tiger did a similar activity at home when he was very little, but he had good fun. Your girls are definitely enjoying themselves in all these science explorations!
They are having a ball, albeit a very messy one!!
This is such a fun project!
Thank you! One day I’ll do a project without the need for mess!
Too much fun squeezed into that hour!
Too true!!
They really played a lot. there didn’t they? I just love them in their lab coats and safety glasses, they’re just so adorable.
I know! I want to do science every day just so I can take cute pictures of them!!
I love this! It looks like your children had a great time and learned a lot! And, I especially love their cute lab coats and that you used beakers.
Thanks for popping by Maria! I think science is everyone’s favourite time of the week. And you’re right- those lab coats and goggles make it even more special!!
They are protected from head to toe, but you must still be very patient when it comes to mess making. They look like they enjoyed the activity a lot.
I’m naturally a bit chaotic and messy, so I don’t really notice too much!
Love their goggles and coats!
Thank you!
You have such cute little scientists!! What a wonderful playful activity!
Thanks for linking up to TGIF! I hope to see you linked up again later today =)
Have a great weekend,
Beth
Thanks Beth, you have a great one too!