Boredom busters to keep them busy this half term

Stuck at home this Half Term thanks to lockdown #3? 😩 We hear you!  If you've exhausted Disney+, can't bribe your children for love nor money to do yet ANOTHER walk and wonder how on earth you are going to get through a week of entertaining, then read on!  We've found 5 water-based boredom busters that are easy to do, won't trash your house and you might even enjoy. Or if you don't fancy those, try one of our free printable activity sheets...

But firstly, prepare to have your mind blown with these simple science-at-home ideas...

Day 1 - Rainbow Bubble Snake 🐍
We showed you how to make standard bubble snakes back in the summer, but who knew rainbow bubble snakes would be even more fun, and you can make them in the bath so even better!  You'll need:

• an old sock cut in half
• the top half of a plastic water bottle
• a couple of elastic bands
• food colouring
• soap (washing up liquid works best)
• water
• your best blowing skills  

1. Place the toe half of your sock over the plastic water bottle (keeping the drinking spout end open) and secure with elastic bands
2. Fill a bowl with water and a few squirts of washing up liquid, giving it a good stir
3. Add drops of food colouring directly to the end of the sock (which is pulled taut across the opening) along with a few drops of washing up liquid and dip it into the bowl of water until it's wet but not sopping
4. Blow to reveal vibrant rainbow bubbles! 

 

Day 2 - Lava Lamp Experiment 🌋
Remember these?  So do we!  Mesmerise them with an easy-to-make lava lamp at home using just a few ingredients.  You'll need: 

• cooking oil or baby oil 
• food colouring 
• water 
• Alka Seltzer tablets 
• glass tumbler or jar 

1. Fill a glass or jar about 2/3 full of your chosen oil (you can experiment with more or less later)
2. Fill a cup with water, colour it using food dye and pour it into the oil until it's about 1-2 inches from the top
3. Break an Alka Seltzer tablet into a few pieces and let add the pieces of tablet to the glass jar bit by bit (or drop a whole one for a quicker reaction!)
4. Watch!  The  Alka Seltzer will react with the water to make bubbles of carbon dioxide which attach to blobs of coloured water making them dance around the jar. 

Day 3 - Torando in a Jar 🌀
This easy Tornado in a Jar experiment will amaze them as they see a weather phenomenon right before their eyes.   You'll need:

• a round glass jar with lid
• clear washing up liquid 
• vinegar 
• water
• food colouring and/or glitter 
• your best swirling skills

1. Fill a jar with cold water, leaving 1-2 inches at the top.  
2. Add 1-2 drops of food colouring and/or glitter 
3. Add 1 tablespoon of washing up liquid and 1 teaspoon of white vinegar and mix gently
4. Grip the jar and swirl it around and around, then stop!
5. Watch the vortex tornado do its thing
6. You can try adding different coloured food dyes to make rainbow tornadoes 

Day 4:  Walking Water Experiment 🌈
Easy and simple rainbows to brighten up a gloomy day, these walking rainbows work every time and our children love them!  You'll need: 

• kitchen roll 
• 6 clear plastic cups or glasses
• food colouring 
• water
• a bit of patience 

1. Start by filling 3 clear cups with water, almost to the top 
2. Add a few drops of red food colouring to one of the cups with water in, blue food colouring to another and yellow to the third (you will have three empty cups)
3. Place your cups in a circle in this order: red | empty cup | yellow | empty cup | blue | empty cup
4. Cut 2-3 inch wide strips of kitchen towel to length so that they reach from the bottom of one cup to the bottom of the next
5. The water and dye will start to travel up the paper towel into the empty cups and after a few hours will have mixed to compete a rainbow 🌈

Day 5 - Bouncing bubbles 🤩

Say what?!  We all know kids love blowing bubbles whatever their age but have you tried this bouncing bubbles recipe, it blows bigger and stronger bubbles that don't instantly pop when you touch them.  Perfect for playtime in the bath.  This one works best if you let the bubble mixture sit for 24hrs so get it prepared the day before you want them to use it. You'll need:

• water 
• washing up liquid 
• glycerin 
• bubble wand 
• your best blowing skills 

1. Pour 3 parts water, 1 part washing up liquid and 2 tablespoons of glycerin into a bowl
2. Stir gently to combine (you don't want to create foam)  and for best results leave to rest with a lid on for 24hrs
3. Let them loose with a bubble wand dipped in the mixture to blow big, strong unpoppable bubbles.  For extra bounce, wear a pair of soft gloves (it's the oil on our hands that breaks a bubble) 

***** 

And if you still have a bit of extra time to fill, we've put together some 'themed' activity sheets that are free to download and should keep them busy whilst you finish that work call.  Head to the TOYS & GIFTS section of our website or click below to download. 

• Rainbows and Unicorns Activity Sheet
• Under-the-Sea Activity Sheet
• Ocean Giants Activity Sheet
• Colour Explosion Activity Sheet

Love, all of us at Hooded Owls x