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.
Free Fall Fun
I mostly have posted about various kits we use for science activities, but there are plenty of free/cheap DIY activities to do. I will collect some of the fall favorites here.
hiking
harvesting
pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins!
cookie decorating
leaf art
costumes
various fall fun
Pumpkins
There are tons of things to do with with pumpkins and they have been a favorite since the kiddos were babies. A short list of things we do.
painting pumpkins
picking pumpkins from farms, fall fests, etc
baking seasoned pumpkin seeds
carving pumpkins
pumpkin fun
Pumpkins are a simple and easy activity for easy fall fun, starting at a young age…
flying spiderman over pumpkinspainting with daddypicking pumpkinspreparing pumpkins for carvingbaby pumpkin paintingpainting with mammateamwork clean out that pumpkin
Cookie Decorating
Fall is a good time for baking, cookies, gingerbread, and of course all the decorating that comes along with it.
cookies
Leaf Art
I remeber doing this as a kid myself and thought it made such pretty art. There are a number of leaf art projects. Erin helped the kids collect leaves and then ironed them between wax paper which creates a beautiful stain glass like leaf art.
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.
KidzLabs Colour Lab Mixer
The “colour” very British 😉 This KidzLabs Colour Lab Mixer is a simple kit that mostly lets the kids use easy-to-clean dyes to mix colors. The kit includes 18 projects, but some of them were above my kid’s attention span threshold. We also had the KiwiCo color chemistry set, which other than the Volcano activities didn’t drive as much variety as this kit.
The color lab kit
The kit comes with pretty simple materials but has had a good amount of activities, and honestly, young kids enjoy playing with color mixing, so it has gone pretty far. We have stored away the kit and re-used it for different activities or to repeat activities for over a year. Just giving them some tubs and colors and challenging them to make a new color like Orange (mix Yellow and Red) was fun for them.
The back shows some of the activities
A recent big hit has been “color fireworks,” which you can probably put together without anything in the kit… We ran out of the dye that comes with the kit long ago and just used food coloring or other kid-safe dyes. You find a jar and fill 90% with water 10% with oil, then put colors into the droppers to add “bubbles of color,” which explode when they sink through the oil and break through to the water.
under water “explosions”watching with interesttaking turnsadding the color drops
Kid Approved? Yes
Again, you can do most of these activities without any kit, but the kit gets you started and gives you some good ideas. Then, you have some good bottles, tubes, droppers, and other reusable items.
Replayability: Good
At least from ages 2-6 this has solidly kept their interest each time it is out as we push towards the more complicated activities. So things weren’t hits (ice rainbow, dye flowers didn’t work out well)… Others were big hits, rainbow color mixer, fireworks in water, and watercolor on paper.
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.
Solar System Sewing Kit
kids sewing kit
This sewing kit, which we got a bit too early for our kids (currently 6 and 4) it is intended for 7+… The first time we pulled it out, they were 5 and 3 and didn’t have the dexterity to sew. We have brought it out two other times since, and they are getting better the 6 year old can basically do it, but I am walking through it hand and hand with the 4 year old… It hasn’t been a hit, but they like it well enough for an activity once in awhile and have managed to keep their creations together in little bags in their toy drawers, so they enjoy adding to the collection. There are many CiyvoLyeen sewing kits so you can find one that matches their interests and save it for rainy days.
Kid Approved? Passable
Again, this isn’t a big hit, but given we have gone through it a few times and not thrown it out, I expect we will eventually have to sew together all t he planets, rockets, and astronauts. Given it hasn’t broken, lost too many pieces, or been thrown out, it is clearly a decent success.
Replayability
Good for quieter days or as an activity with a family movie on in the background. This requires pretty active parent participation as they won’t complete an item on their own.
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 ceilingThe 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.
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.
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.
excitedwill 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.
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.
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.
Mini Mushroom Grow Kit
Mushroom growing kit
Growing Mushrooms clearly takes a bit more than a single Saturday, but it is a great science activity with the kiddos. We grew a back to the roots Mushroom mini grow kit. That can be started in just a few minutes. The initial setup involves opening the box, cutting the bag, and soaking it in water. All the while discussing mushrooms, it was super easy to start.
mushrooms growing
Then it is fun to watch as it grows from tiny baby mushrooms to something we can eat in just 2 weeks. We grow tons of stuff with the kids, with a summer outdoor garden and our basement hydroponic garden (which I will cover in a future post).
Our kids love eating and cooking mushrooms, so it seemed like it would be fun to grow some so they could see the process and eat their bounty.
The mushrooms start coming up fast, and I think Theo pulled his first one off the box and popped it in his mount by day 6 after starting the kit.
preparing the mushrooms
From reading a bit about these kits, we should be able to grow two or three crops of mushrooms. We just started the second batch yesterday.
Our kids enjoyed sauteing them in butter, the first batch we harvested a bit too late, and they were a bit dry and cooked up chewy. We will see how we do with the next batch.
We have been into climbing as a nice form of exercise. Theo has been climbing since he was a baby. He first visited this climbing gym at age 3. Now that Sasha is 3, we needed to get her to her first gym as well. It was fun to go as a family, and they have daycare available making it possible to climb with the kids for a while, then have them play with other kids while you get in a few climbs without distractions.
It was good to get them more experience at the climbing gym, as Theo could start youth group climbing classes in just a few months when he turns 6.
Theo climbing a few routes
Sasha, had fun at the gym, but quickly wanted to go to the daycare so she could play with the toys and other kids… She was happy and we were able to focus on ab it more climbing with Theo.
Sasha trying some routes
A great way to spend some time with the family and to get some exercise during the cold and snowy winter months in CO.
We finally got our little family out skiing. We tried two years ago for our first ski trip, and our car broke down on the way to the mountains… After that disaster, we finally built up the courage to try again.
Our kid’s first time on skis.
We go on Christmas eve day to Loveland, a family tradition before kids. We had to bring two duffle bags of gear to have all that was needed, along with backups for any issues that might come up. For a family of 4 renting everything and getting two passes along with a small shared lunch, it costs about $300 for a single day… Which is pretty expensive but much less than the bigger resorts.
The kids going through the lift line and getting sized for rentals
Getting the kids through the lift pass (free for kids 5 and under) line and fitted for rentals was a breeze. Loveland is really well set up for beginner kids, with folks helping size boots, helmets, and goggles, sweetly telling our kids how great they are doing.
Theo made amazing progress on his first day
It was amazing to see how Theo took to it, with no complaints and learning so quickly. He sometimes carried his skis up the bunny slope so I could carry Sasha. He went from his first time standing in the skis to being able to do “pizza pie” stops, riding the “Magic Carpet” lift, and even finishing off the day with two real lift rides.
Sasha also had fun and was excited to join the adventure
Sasha also did amazingly well for a 3-year-old. She did three bunny slope runs before wanting a warmup and snack break. She got comfortable with all the gear and asked to go “again and again.” She got pretty good at skiing down but couldn’t yet master the “pizza pie” stop.
Theo keeps going and going
Theo kept going, and I was looking for a break to get some water while he still wanted to ski more. He finally admitted he might need a break as he was “running low on air.”
After all four of us had a break (in shifts so we could sneak in a few bigger runs), we got everyone out for round two, and Sasha did three more runs, including going up the “Magic Carpet” lift once… They did pretty great for a cold day, with snow and a first time on skis.
Sasha skiing to Erin
I also need to mention the help of having grandpa who would watch kiddos when they needed a break for a bit in the lodge. Erin and I both managed to sneak in a few non-bunny slopes runs. I am not sure we could have pulled that off without another adult.
Overall it was a super exhausting day, and carrying both kids and gear up a hill while on skis is far more exhausting than just going skiing oneself. Still, it seemed like a success and went well enough we will probably rent a cabin for a long weekend sometime. Feel free to check out the full ski gallery if you like.
Adventures of the Miller Mayers 