Big Bubbles

Bubbles are amazing.  They provide hours of experimenting and exploring.  You can learn about surface tension and air currents, hot air, and humidity.  All while having a blast, and at any age.

Recipe

6 cups water
1 cup light corn syrup (or 4 Tbsp glycerin)
2 cups Joy dishwashing soap (If using an ultra concentrated dishwashing liquid, use only 1 1/3 cups)

Directions:
1  In a large bowl stir water (don't use soft water, but you can use distilled) and corn syrup until combined.
2  Add dishwashing liquid and stir very gently until well mixed.

3  Dip bubble wands into bubble liquid. A slight breeze is a big help. Try to keep frothy bubbles from forming in the bubbles solution by dipping and not stirring bubble wands.  It will cause troubles, but you can skim off the top and keep going.

http://www.diyncrafts.com/12981/homemade/summer-fun-with-the-kids-how-to-make-giant-homemade-bubbles

 For extreme bubbles, check out this website-
 http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-HUGE-Bubbles/ 

So many bubble recipes to try. This is a link to more.

Colorful Campfire

This fire was at Lake Powell in Southern Utah/Northern Arizona.  All there was to burn on the vast shore line was sand and tumbleweeds.  The kids (the cousins) in this picture got stuck a few times gathering up the tumbleweeds, but they make a tremendous blaze.  For fires on a smaller scale, there are different ways to add color and sparkle.  You can toss a pinch of sugar into the fire for a crazy effect. A bit of flour or powdered creamer will add pizzaz to a campfire program or story.  There are so many ideas that can be found online.  

For adding fun to the fire, check out these links:  

http://guidezone.e-guiding.com/bvfmagic.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trzDg-ZqFM0 
http://www.campfiredude.com/

I love quiet moments around a campfire, listening to the crackle, with the cool air and night sounds at my back.  I love to talk and sing with family and friends and cook something on a stick; a marshmallow, or starburst or even just the stick.  But I am also aware of the destructive power of fire if it is not respected.  

Our neighborhood won't recover for many years from the devastation caused by a wild fire that blew through our little canyon two years ago. Homes were gone in a few minutes and in a few hours 66 homes were destroyed.  Even the cement foundations were cooked into dust.  Metal was melted into puddles.  There were some narrow escapes, but it was a miracle that no one died.  Many animals died.  

The smell was incredible as the trucks loaded with remains drove down the road to dispose of horses, goats, cats and dogs.  I suspect there were wild animals too.  We have many deer that wander through the yard.  Our house was spared due to a change in wind direction.  Others were saved by firefighters.  It was hard to feel happy that our house was still standing when so many neighbors were homeless.  

 So love the fire and always use caution.  

This picture is just one section of the fire. It looks like a burned hillside, but there used to be homes.  Many have been rebuilt now but the hillside is still burned sticks that used to be cedars and junipers.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Rockets

This is great fun!

Add vinegar. . .

Prepare and slide the baking soda packet into the bottle. . . 

Quickly cork the bottle and set it upside down in place. . .

Back away. . .

Wait for it. . .

Blast off ! ! !

Retrieve the bottle and go again!

Supplies:  
Baking soda
Vinegar
Toilet paper squares
Plastic bottle
Cork

Fill the bottle with about an inch of vinegar.  Put about a table spoon of baking soda in the center of the T.P. square.  Fold the paper around the baking soda into a neat little packet that will be narrow enough to fit through the opening in the bottle.  Working quickly, drop the T.P./baking soda packet into the bottle, cork it, place it upside down on the predetermined launch pad, and back away.  Be patient, it will be worth it. 

It's best to use a strong plastic bottle of the ~16 oz. variety that can be found in the recycling bin.  I found corks at an army surplus store near Idaho Falls, but I've heard that you can get them on eBay, Amazon, Lowes, Etsy, Craft stores. 

Microwave a Grape

Microwave a Grape - 12 + Year old scientist, but any # or age of spectators.  It's incredible

 Microwave a Grape - This activity is for scientist, 14 yrs and older, but any # or age of spectators can be part of the experience.  

Warning.  It is unknown if this activity is healthy for your microwave or the grape.  Proceed with caution.

Cut a grape in half, starting at the stem end.  Slice through but stop short before you disconnect the skin. Lay the grape open in the microwave still connected on a paper towel. Turn on full power for 15 seconds, and watch in awe.

Click on the  In the Name of Science tab.  

Whipped Cream Launch

Whipped Cream Launch- Teens and Young Adults love this.  

click the "In the Name of Science" tab, or click the title. It's also a link.

Whipped Cream Launch

Basically, you put a dab of whipped cream on the back of your hand. Pop it into the air and catch it in your mouth.  Yes, it's best played outside.  There is a neat trick for popping the whipped cream into the air.  Lower your hand like you're just going to toss the whip cream but then block your hand at the wrists with your other hand.  It might take a couple practices but you will get the hang of it.  We like to use the whipped cream that comes in a pressurized can. 

This works best as an outdoor activity, but what can I say?  It was freezing outside.