Kitchen Volcano Science Project

Over the past few weeks we have been making a Kitchen Volcano. It is a really fun science project to do at home and also combines a little arts and craft; if you have an aversion to mess, maybe it's not your ideal project but the children will LOVE it. And there are good scientific principles behind it to discuss, so it is great for science-related show and tell, science fairs and home school projects.

The 'explosion' is caused by bicarbonate of soda and vinegar, and red food colouring, which are simple and cheap to obtain if you do not already have them in the store cupboard. You can have fun researching the reasons why it makes froth with your children (hint: it is basically a chemical reaction which produces gas).  There are a couple of different methods to making an effective froth. 

Another way of extending the task would be to research a couple of these different methods and experiment to find the best one, as I am sure that there are even more effective methods than the one we used.

A further step after making the volcano would be to bake sponge cakes - you could also then discuss why adding bicarbonate of soda to cakes helps in the baking process.

MAKING YOUR VOLCANO

I would recommend using a medium sized cardboard box (with one side and the top cut away) as a base - it minimises later mess and makes the volcano somewhat portable. 

You need: 

an empty plastic drinks bottle

PVA glue and water mixture (about half and half)

newspaper

poster paints (red, and grey or brown)

sticky tape

 

First using sticky tape, secure the bottle to the base. Then scrunch up some newspaper into balls and loosely tape around the bottle to make a mountain shape.  After this, taking strips of newspaper which you have dipped completely into the PVA glue mixture, lay them around the shape until you have something resembling a mountain. Be sure to leave the bottle mouth clear and open. 

Leave the paper mache to dry for at least 8 hours. When it is hard and dry, using paints, make your mountain a little more realistically rock like. You can add a red lava flow at the top if you like. 

 

MAKING THE EXPLOSION

You need: 

red food colour

1/4 cup of vinegar

2 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda

warm water

washing up detergent

The original method I saw for making a kitchen volcano simply states: Put the bicarb in the bottle. Add the red colour to the cup of vinegar. Pour into bottle. Stand back. 

However, my husband read that if you put warm water and detergent in first you get a better fizz. This is the method that we tried and it was OK. The children found it exciting. I would have liked even more boom, but I am not easily pleased.

On a side note, I think you can't possibly put in too much colouring ;-)

Spring Shopping 2014 - Pretty Picks from Etsy and beyond

I have been feeling the Spring Love lately and starting to look around for some more 'of the moment' clothes and accessories. The sun is out! There might be weddings and summer fun just around the corner. Apparently we are all supposed to be wearing pastel colours, florals and statement necklaces. Not sure if that fits in with my generally grunge-tastic lifestyle, but a girl can dream of being soignee and having a fashionable wardrobe, right? I have included some lovely pastel ribbon in case you are of a mind to upcycle something in this seasons colours.... Here are some of my favourite finds from around the High-Street and the Internet. Happy Browsing. 

1. Pink Bird Ceramic Earrings by Damson Tree Pottery
2. Pointelle Girls Cardigan by Marks and Spencer
3. Selina Dress by Boden
4. Grosgrain Ribbon from Cloud Craft Supplies
5. Linden Necklace by Stella & Dot
6. Rainy Day Coin Purse by Emy & Wilma





Please note:
This is not a sponsored post. I have not recieved any payment of any sort to write this piece.  The suppliers and businesses I have chosen reflect my personal taste and I have had successful purchases from them in the past. However, I am not responsible in any way for the companies mentioned and cannot be held liable for any dealings that you have with them.

Red Velvet Cupcakes: Egg Free Recipe

If you are looking for an easy weekend bake to try with your children, how about some light Red Velvet Cupcakes? The beauty of these is that they are super easy to make, and use no eggs. I find this useful as I frequently run out of the things due to my childrens weekend boiled egg habit. Neeeeed some chickens! 

Also, if you have a child who is allergic to eggs you might enjoy this recipe. In fact, all you need do is swap out the milk for soya milk and you can have an entirely vegan cake. Yay!

INGREDIENTS:

200g self-raising flour
 200g caster sugar
20g cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4tsp bicarb
1/4tsp baking powder
200ml milk
20ml cider vinegar
80ml sunflower oil
1tsp vanilla essence
1 tsp red food colouring, paste/gel 

OVEN: Preheat to 180C/Gas Mark 4

Makes 24 fairy cakes

1. Line two cupcake pans with paper cases
2. Put the vinegar and milk into a jug and set aside for around 10 mins
3. Meanwhile, put into a large bowl the flour, sugar, cocoa, salt, bicarb, & baking powder. Mix until combined.
4. Add the milk mixture, oil, vanilla and food colour to the dry ingredients mixing by hand with a metal spoon. This is fine if done by a child, lumpy is just right!
5. Spoon into the cake cases.
 6. Bake for 15 mins, cool in the trays for a little while, then transfer to a wire rack.

ICING: we iced ours with a cream cheese and vanilla icing, but you may want to modify this if you are making them for a special diet.  I completely ballsed up my cake icing and subsequently have NO photos of them because they looked icky - I have a complete blind spot when it comes to icing cakes. I literally cannot make icing, I have no idea why. So enjoy your cakes and this very nice photo of somebody elses red velvet cupcakes.

via Pinterest

End of Half Term Holiday!

How does your child name their toys?

IT's Half Term. My house is full of three screaming maniacs and their myriad sidekicks. Those eccentric characters who looked so respectable at first, yet now only ever appear naked, or dressed in borrowed finery, their hair sticking up in clumps. Most of the time when you look for them, they are either lying face down in the middle of the kitchen, or you just see their leg, sticking up at a crazy angle from behind the curtain. Other times they are all lying in a heap in your own bed. It's like being at a student party, all the time, none of the time. And the names - I can hardly keep track - they change them so often. I have often wondered what it says about the namer, this child who seems so adorable, yet insists the only possible name today for their elephant is Mr Cupboard. So I have compiled, as I see it, a guide to Toy Naming Types.

The Egotist

The earliest stage of Toy Naming begins as soon as they can talk. You'll say 'What's he called, your Rabbit?', and he'll answer with his own name. Go easy on him, he probably doesn't know any others. Besides, his is the best, in fact the only real name, right? right?

The Literalist

 Another common early name is the most obvious choice, Rabbit, Big Rabbit. Whatever. Say What You See, as the man on Catchphrase says, Say What You See.

The Lisper

Probably the cutest versions of early naming are the mispronounced ones. These often stick because enchanted adults insist on repeating them and perpetuating them. We know that our lisping darling will soon be back-chatting us or at the very least telling us we are wrong with nearly every word, so here's to retaining  that childhood magic one 'Babu' at a time.

The Copy Cat

The older children get, especially once they are at nursery and having play-dates, the more the influence of other children creeps in. At least now they begin to know and remember that many possible names exist. I have seen many toys renamed at this stage either because the little friend has a favourite toy with a cool name or because the little friend needs worshipping and Bingo! Big Rabbit is now Lucy. I also know a lady whose younger child named his special friend with the same name as his older brothers toy. Imitiation is the sincerest form of flattery?

The Clever Clogs

This naming trait lasts until adulthood. You know that guy with a cat called 'Chairman Miaow'? He has this. It's the classic 'class-clown' desire to have everyone think you are clever and funny, and toy naming is a first attempt to exert this. Usually there's an element of parent baiting in it, but go easy, after all, playing with words and language is great for literacy! Unfortunately pre-school humour being what it is, Mr Cupboard may well be replaced with Mr Poo Poo, and they'll be crying with laughter as they tell you. Literally.

Gradually the toys will all settle into time-worn names that seem to work. A name sticks, be it Rosemary, Bappa or Croc Croc, but one thing is for sure. You will keep finding them under the refridgerator, wearing Barbies swimsuit as a glove, no matter what their name.

Things I Love

Happy Valentines Day

Thought that today is a good day for sharing what I love at the moment. Of course I love my children! And my lovely husband (*so long suffering)

If you want to know more about what I love, I counsel you to look to my Pinterest boards. Yes, I have a weakness for sewing things, and cushiony goodness

via Pinterest

And interior decor daydreaming

via Pinterest

And dolls - all sorts. I love the ways these dolls are posed. This image came to me on Pinterest natch but you can also find more dolly fun of the sort on the actual website Cook You Some Noodles.

via Pinterest

And Medieval things both Ancient and Modern. I admit, it's because I LOOOOVE Game of Thrones, but I did also study Medieval Art at Uni, m'kay.

via Pinterest

I love pinning! What do you love?

Saturday is Caption Day

I have long been a fan of the Saturday caption game you find over on Mammasaurus Blog

It's very funny. Click on the link to see a linky with other contributors. What caption can you give mine? 

How wide does my mouth need to be to fit this cake in completely?