My Wild Sparrows

Grow A Rainbow

You will love seeing the rainbow come together in this simple science experiment!

The science part:

This science experiment is a great example of chromatography. Chromatography is a way of separating out a mixture of chemicals. If you ever got a paper with ink wet you would have seen the ink move across the page in streaks. Capillary action makes the marker dye move up the paper towel. The water moves upward through the paper towel, lifting the washable dye molecules with it. Because the washable markers are water-based, they disperse in water.

All you need to do is fold over a piece of paper towel (so you have 2 pieces on top of each other). The shorter your piece of paper towel, the better it will connect! Make sure that you are using an uber absorbent paper towel.

Then you will need to draw rectangles of the rainbow colors on each end, make sure to fill the colours in well so there is enough dye to travel across the paper towel.

Fill your cups with water. Then place the paper towel into the cups, with one end in each cup. Do not place the ends too deep in the water or the dye may dissolve into the water instead of moving up the paper towel.

Watch as the dye slowly makes it’s way up with the water to meet the other side in the center of the paper towel.

Make sure to keep your towel, let it dry out to use on another project. You can even use the water as paint!

*If you tried this experiment with permanent markers it would not work. This is because the markers are not water-based (they are alcohol-based) so the dye in the marker does not travel with the water.

Please tag @playspirations or myself @mywildsparrows if you do end up making this as I'd love to see your creations!

DIY Resin Alphabet

Again another easy DIY craft, resin letters.

Now there's not much I can say as the instructions on your bottles will be much better to follow but I thought I'd share this anyway in case you were wondering what I used.

Click the images to shop the items i used.

You'll need :

Silicone mould

Epoxy Resin

Measuring cups

Gloves

Sticks

If you would like to colour or embellish you can think about adding dried flowers, glitter, or epoxy resin pigment.

Now because of the chemicals, this isn't something I made with India, however, she loved popping them out and helping me pick the colours.

When making these just make sure you can pop open a window and let your room breathe.

When making something new with chemicals I can find it quite daunting but let me assure you this is actually super easy and much much cheaper than buying from any Etsy or online shop. A craft older kids will definitely enjoy, you don't have to just make alphabet letters. Find some fun Silicone moulds, even make some jewelry!

You will want to mix your resin to the ratio it will have on the instructions and then simply pour into your mould.

Easy.

If you want to add colour then simply add it to your mixture before pouring. Just make sure to stir for at least 2 minutes so you don't get any discoloration.

If you're adding things like dried flowers - make sure that you make a layer of resin first let it set for at least 15 minutes before adding the flowers and then go on top with another layer of resin. That way it won't all sink to the bottom and you'll get more of a 3d effect.

If you see any bubbles rise to the top just take a pin and gently pop them.

Once you have finished your letters leave to cure for at least 24 hours. It's super tempting to poke or get them out earlier but don't! They can still be bendy and tacky at that point and your hard work will be ruined. It's best to leave them for 72 hours to fully cure.

I ended up making two sets just because I thoroughly enjoyed making these and of course you usually need more than one letter when spelling which is what I made these for.

They are an amazing addition to learning activities and invitation to play scenes.

Please tag @playspirations or myself @mywildsparrows if you do end up making this as I'd love to see your creations!

Creative Juices

I wanted to make a little post for you all to get ideas and get your creative juices flowing!

Remember to check out my @Playspirations Instagram if your brain runs out of steam.

Simply click on the images to shop!

DIY Herb Garden

Now the only thing I can keep alive is a cactus so how we have something growing between us all I don't know! I'll have to keep you updated on the progress.

This is such a fun activity to DIY due to using up old drink cartons, painting and being able to nature/ watch something grow! Perfect to pass the time during isolation! For the Herb Gardens, you first need a few paper drink cartons or plastic milk bottles work too.

What you'll need:
Paper drink cartons/milk bottles
Craft knife or scissors
Acrylic paint
Potting soil
Seeds
Craft sticks

With a clean and dry drink carton, carefully cut away one side. If you're using a milk bottle just cut off the top half to leave a pot shape!

Paint the carton in your choice of colours. I needed to do two coats on both, so this week with India I will paint the base and let her full artistic skills go wild on that. - something to bare in mind if you don't want the print underneath to show!

Fill with potting soil.

I really can't recommend this one enough due to having a communal garden and not having the space for a massive bag of soil, this is so compact and I just cut off what I needed and added water. Shocked at how much it grew!

Then, make a hole with your finger and add seeds however instructed on the packet.

Keep by a window and watch your seedlings grow!

With craft sticks, you can use a black fine-tip marker and write whatever is growing. This is a great way for kids to learn about their herbs.

However, I wanted to make something a little more 'fun' for India to look at so printed quotes and prints from Pinterest and stuck them to the sticks!

Please tag @playspirations or myself @mywildsparrows if you do end up making this as I'd love to see your creations!

Enjoy!

CURRENT WISHLIST

Edible Unicorn Food ( Chocolate Bark )

Something fun and uber easy to make with your little ones to feed their special friends.

For this set up all you'll need is :

Chocolate

Food colouring to colour chocolate if you aren't using pre-coloured buttons

A tin or baking paper

Sprinkles

I use these for ease of melting with India and being pre-coloured.

And this little machine has been a lifesaver with many activities involving chocolate.

It never gets too hot and the handle helps so that she can use it without me moving it in to many different containers. We also don't own a microwave so melting chocolate over hot water isn't ideal. If your like us i'd defo look in to it.

You'll want to pick a base colour that is quite light so the other colours pop against it. Making sure you use more chocolate for this first layer.

Then pour the other colours in random splodges ( or wherever they end up )

You'll then want to marble the colours by 'gently' stiring them in random circles and swirls. Careful not to overstir as you'll just be making one big coloured slab otherwise.

We nearly had that issue as i couldn't bring myself to tell her to stop.

Next up is sprinkles, the more random the better it looks. Making it such a perfect activity for kids of all ages.

Once the sprinkles have gone, leave to cool in the fridge for 10 minutes.

When it's hardened just break it up into different shards.

Ready for the unicorns to eat.

I also love to use them on cupcake and cakes!

Please tag @playspirations or myself @mywildsparrows if you do end up making this as i'd love to see your creations!

Enjoy!

Free Printable Flashcards

Just something i quickly put together this morning for India, after seeing how much she's been enjoying her emotion flashcards i thought it was time to put some of my own together. I still have many to make so keep your eyes peeled ( If you do actually like them that is ).

I've made them so they can be double-sided, just print them both off , stick them together and cut them out! You can even go a little extra and laminate them or wedge a thick bit of card in-between. Ultra craft vibes.

Please make sure to tag @playspirations or @mywildsparrows if you do use them :)