Monthly Archives: August 2023

Science Saturday

Science Saturday: Volcanos

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I like to do various semi-education activities with my kids, most often on Saturdays. We call these Science Saturdays activities. I am going to post about some of the successful activities and the less-than-great semi-educational activities.

Volcanos

While I have some kits, they aren’t necessary, and compared to any other activity, this one is always a hit. My kids would probably do it every day if they were allowed. All their friends enjoy it when we set it up for larger groups. There are endless ways to mix and match to keep the activity fresh and fun. It only requires baking soda and vinegar, which we now purchase in bulk.

one of the first volcano kits

Mix It Up

So other than using a few standard kits we have expanded it in many ways. We have added safe dyes to color the lava. We have added a number of containers for making “experiments” and we have a few containers that can keep the pressure and then use it to fire off little nerf rockets. We do the activity outside, by the sink, at the kitchen table, and once in the winter in an empty kiddy pool in the basement. We have had so much fun over the years making little “explosions”

Kits or Skip It

I think a few of the kits have added to the fun as many parts are re-usable, and it comes with some reading to give a bit more learning and the science behind volcanos. Over the years I think I have gotten three kits. I know I got the one’s listed below:

  • Volcano Lava Lab – This is a good starter kit as it comes with some plastic volcano shapes that can be used for mixing baking soda and vinegar. It also comes with safety goggles, which the kids enjoy playing with… mixers, scoops, droppers, etc… This was a great start, and I just refilled the primary ingredients as needed.
  • NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Ultimate Volcano Kit – Erupting Volcano Science Kit – This kit has a lot more reading material and comes with a mold to make plaster volcanos. The kids enjoyed making the volcano with the mold and painting it. So it was also a hit, it also included some dye color refills which was needed.

I like having some of the kits and adding other containers and shapes into the mix. Then I buy vinegar and baking soda from Costco in bulk.

Kid Approved? Yes

I have been doing the volcano kits with kids for years and nearly ever group of our kids friends has had a blast with it.

with cousins, and yes I had to clean lava off the ceiling
The older kids running ‘experiments’
The younger one doing “mad science”

Honestly, if you haven’t done this with your kids I can’t recommend it highly enough. Everyone will have fun and it is a good way to re-awaken the kid in yourself.

Science Saturday

Science Saturday: Steam Kit Planes

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I like to do various semi-education activities with my kids, most often on Saturdays. We call these Science Saturdays activities. I am going to post about some of the successful activities and the less-than-great semi-educational activities.

Lakeshore Steam Kit Planes

This is a kit from Lakeshore. We haven’t done as many of their kits. Probably in part because this one didn’t go over very well… The Lakeshore Steam Kit Planes were underwhelming. It worked fine, and the kids could build planes (the youngest needing a lot of help)… The real issue is they just didn’t fly well. So we would spend a little bit of time building them, but after maybe 3 throws the kids lost interest. We got a little more time out of them by letting them color and decorate the planes, but in the end, they just couldn’t hold the kid’s interest. I tried again later when they were older and it still wasn’t a hit. In the end, they have honestly played more while making paper air planes.

is this better than a paper plane?

Kid Approved? No

Sorry, perhaps my kids were to young or they can make paper airplanes that are to good and fly much better… So these just didn’t make the cut. They

Replayability

low, the next time I got the box out to try the kids just groaned…

Kit / Toy Detailed Description

Inside the kit you will find wings, tails, straws, and a guide… If your kids are really into model building and following directions they might enjoy it more… If they just want to build quick planes and have races for who goes the furthest, well these aren’t worth the time, effort or cost.

Science Saturday

Science Saturday: Civil Engineer Starter Kit

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I like to do various semi-education activities with my kids, most often on Saturdays. We call these Science Saturdays activities. I am going to post about some of the successful activities and the less-than-great semi-educational activities.

KiwiCo Civil Engineer Starter Kit

We have used many kits from KiwiCo they are a great company that provides fun and educational toys and kits. They are sometimes hit-and-miss. Today, we will cover the Civil Engineer Starter Kit.

The KiwiCo Civil Engineer Starter Kit is a captivating and educational introduction to the world of civil engineering, tailored for curious young minds. This comprehensive kit empowers children to delve into the realms of design, construction, and problem-solving through hands-on exploration and creativity.

excited
will it fall?

Kid Approved? Yes

We brought this kit to a family gathering, so we used it to entertain kids of varying ages from 4-8. We broke it into two sessions. In the first session, we built towers, and we stress-tested them, and added weights. The kids loved the “earthquake” machine. They enjoyed playing with the weights and laughed delightfully as the towers collapsed before we added additional support.

building a bridge

In the second session, we built a bridge. This required a bit more coordination, so I had to help put this together. It was enjoyable to the kids but not nearly as engaging or fun as the shake table and tower activities.

Replayability

The shake table and putting other things on it, and just knocking over the towers is enough of a hit that you can pull the kit out from time to time and the kids will re-engage with it. Months later, the youngest kids still enjoy playing with the shake table. Watching things fall over and laughing.

I will also so I enjoyed this kit quite a bit and had a good time playing with it and going through the activities.

Kit / Toy Detailed Description

Inside the KiwiCo Civil Engineer Starter Kit, you’ll discover a treasure trove of carefully curated materials and components. These include high-quality building supplies, engaging activity cards, and an assortment of fascinating challenges that guide children through the process of building their own miniature structures. The kit is designed to offer an immersive experience that mirrors the tasks and responsibilities of real civil engineers.

At the heart of the kit is a series of thoughtfully designed projects. Each project introduces a unique aspect of civil engineering, such as constructing bridges, designing skyscrapers, or creating sturdy foundations. The activity cards provide step-by-step instructions that empower children to take the lead in the building process. This hands-on engagement fosters essential skills like critical thinking, spatial reasoning, and attention to detail.

The KiwiCo Civil Engineer Starter Kit doesn’t just teach the mechanics of construction; it also encourages creative thinking. As children follow the instructions and build their structures, they’re also prompted to consider variations and modifications that can enhance their designs. This aspect of the kit nurtures innovation and encourages children to approach problems from different angles, a fundamental skill in the field of engineering.

Beyond individual projects, the KiwiCo Civil Engineer Starter Kit fosters collaboration. It’s an ideal activity for families, friends, or classroom settings, as multiple participants can work together to solve challenges, share ideas, and bring their collective visions to life. This collaborative element encourages communication, teamwork, and the sharing of diverse perspectives.

Science Saturday

Science Saturday: Fishing Game

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I like to do various semi-education activities with my kids, most often on Saturdays. We call these Science Saturdays activities. I am going to post about some of the successful activities and the less-than-great semi-educational activities.

KiwiCo Fishing Game

We have used many kits from KiwiCo they are a great company that provides fun and educational toys and kits. They are sometimes hit-and-miss. Today, we will cover the fishing game.

The KiwiCo Fishing Game is an engaging and educational activity designed to captivate young minds while promoting learning through play. This interactive game combines the excitement of fishing with hands-on exploration and discovery.

KiwiCo Make your own fishing game.

Kid Approved? Sort of

Sadly, this wasn’t as much of a hit as many KiwiCo kits. The kit was a bit too hard for the 4 and 6-year-old to do without a lot of assistance, and basically, they only had an interest in building it. Once we were done making it, they had zero interest in playing the game.

briefly playing with the game

The 4-year-old, did briefly enjoy making the tackle box and filling it with her little toys and treasures.

Sasha getting a bit more play out of the tackle box.

Given that it was a bit hard for the kids to build and they didn’t really enjoy the final product, this is one of the less successful kits we have had from KiwiCo, I would skip this one unless your kid already shows serious interest in fishing.

Kit / Toy Detailed Description

The game comes as a comprehensive kit with all the necessary components to create a mini-fishing experience. Inside the kit, you’ll find a vibrant and sturdy game board that represents a whimsical underwater scene, complete with colorful fish, aquatic plants, and a charming backdrop. The attention to detail in the design not only makes the game visually appealing but also stimulates imagination and creativity.

The heart of the KiwiCo Fishing Game lies in its interactive elements. A miniature fishing rod with a magnet at the end allows young players to “catch” magnetic fish from the game board’s surface. Each fish features a unique design and is magnetically attracted to the fishing rod, creating a fun and realistic fishing experience. This hands-on interaction enhances fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and concentration.