Home Made Bouncy Ball

Who knew you could make a homemade bouncy ball that *actually* bounces?! And that you could make it out of household items?

 

Experiments with Borax

A quick word of common sense caution before the details on making a DIY bouncy ball: Although experiments with Borax makes great DIY for kids projects, , Borax is not edible, so don’t let you toddler chew on the ball.

Materials to Make a Bouncy Ball

*Note:  The first time we did this experiment we followed a post from a fellow crafter and there  instructions   We were disappointed that the ball was not translucent the and wasn’t that bouncy.  So, we modified the experiment a few times until we got a Super Bouncy Ball. The ingredients listed below are from the original recipe, but we encourage you to try our version, which reduces the cornstarch to 1/2 tablespoon, adds the food coloring to the second cup instead of the first cup, and mixes the second cup’s ingredients first before adding the borax solution from the first cup.

• two cups
• measuring spoons
• a coffee stir stick (or something to stir the solutions)
• 2 tablespoons warm water
• 1/2 teaspoon borax (find it in the laundry detergent section of your local store)
• 1 tablespoon glue
• 1 tablespoon corn starch
• food coloring (optional)
• plastic bag (for storing your ball)

How To Make A Bouncy Ball

Step 1

Pour the water and borax into the first cup and stir the mixture until it is dissolved.  We used just boiled water from the kettle, so it was more hot than warm.

Step 2

Pour the glue, cornstarch, food coloring, and 1/2 teaspoon of the mixture from the first cup into the second cup.  We got the best results when we mixed the glue, cornstarch, and food coloring first, and then poured in the borax mixture.

Step 3

Let the ingredients in the second cup interact on their own for about 15 seconds, then stir.

Step 4

Once the mixture becomes difficult to stir, scoop it out of the cup, and roll it into a ball.  
Super easy. Super bouncy.
Great for Races, Estimating, and just plain fun!


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Celebrate 4th of July weekend in Denver this year! Here are ten ideas to get you started and be sure to double-check websites in the event of a fireworks ban.
1. Celebrate Independence Eve with a Free Concert and Fireworks
July 3, Civic Center Park
The fourth annual Independence Eve Celebration will feature a free patriotic concert by The Colorado Symphony, an innovative light show on the Denver City and County Building, and a stunning fireworks finale. Lawn seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis; blankets or low-rise concert/beach chairs are encouraged.
2. Expand Your Mind at The Cherry Creek Arts Festival
July 5-7, Cherry Creek North
This free, outdoor extravaganza – the city’s signature cultural celebration of the visual, performing and culinary arts – gives more than 350,0000 annual visitors the chance to meet and talk with internationally-acclaimed visual artists, enjoy a wide range of family friendly fun and sample fine cuisine. Experience Artivity Avenue, a full block of interactive activities perfect for youngsters. Visit the Cultural Pavilion, where music, dance and theater from around the globe will be presented. Culinary Avenue features tasty treats and live cooking demonstrations from some of Denver’s most popular eateries.
3. Rock Out at Red Rocks
Catch a concert in one of the world’s greatest live music venues, Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre.

• Get things started on July 3 with the powerful grooves of Michael Franti and Spearhead. Franti is even hosting a special Yoga On The Rocks event earlier in the day, if you want to work up a sweat.
• On July 4, jam band favorite, Blues Traveler, returns to the Rocks for another amazing Independence Day show with moe.
• The Avett Brothers bring their winning Americana sound to the Rocks for a two-night stand on July 5 and 6.
• Pop-Classical vocalist Josh Groban joins forces with the Colorado Symphony for a special concert on July 7.

4. Experience Pro Sports Paradise – and Plenty of Post-Game Fireworks
There’s no shortage of pro sports thrills to be had in The Mile High City.

• At Coors Field, catch the Colorado Rockies taking on the Los Angeles Dodgers during a three-game homestand, July 2-4. There will be a spectacular fireworks show following the July 3 and 4 games!
• Denver’s hometown soccer heroes, the Colorado Rapids, are taking on the New York Red Bulls at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on July Stick around for the fireworks display after the game! There’s another match on Sunday, July 7 against the D.C. United.
• Over at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on July 4, The Mile High City’s professional lacrosse team, the Denver Outlaws, are battling it out against the New York Lizards. After the game, enjoy fireworks within the bowl at Sports Authority Field – pyrotechnics paired with visuals on a 220-foot wide, hi-definition screen. You’ll never forget this kind of fireworks show!

5. Ride Roller Coasters and Water Slides and See Spectacular Fireworks
July 4, Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park
Spend the day at Denver’s downtown amusement park and then watch a brilliant fireworks display light up the night sky, starting at dusk.
6. See – and Hear – Nick Cave’s Incredible Soundsuits
Through September 22, Denver Art Museum
Renowned contemporary artist Nick Cave has debuted a new body of work at the Denver Art Museum this summer. The incredible exhibition features a combination of multimedia elements and performances along with figurative sculptures called “Soundsuits” that have to be seen – and heard – to be believed.
Note: Admission to the Denver Art Museum is FREE on July 6, however the Nick Cave exhibition requires an additional ticket.
7. Run in a Red, White & Blue Race
July 4, Washington Park
Work off all the BBQ and cake by running in the Liberty 4-mile run in Washington Park. Wear your red, white and blue proud and enjoy the celebration. Families take note – the Liberty Run also includes a Firecracker Kids Fun Run.
8. Feel The Rhythm of Drums Along the Rockies
July 6, Sports Authority Field at Mile High
Featuring eight of the nation’s top drum and bugle corps, this event offers an evening of exciting sound in the awesome setting of Sports Authority Field at Mile High, home of the Denver Broncos.
9. See Some Oompa Loompas in Downtown Denver
July 6, Skyline Park
Head to downtown Denver’s Skyline Park for a FREE screening of the family-friendly classic, Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. Showtime is at dusk.
10. Swing to the Sounds of City Park Jazz
July 7, City Park
The Sam Mayfield Blues Band will put a perfect cap on the weekend with a free outdoor concert in City Park.
Even more ideas to plan a 4th of July weekend excursion to The Mile High City are available at visitdenver.com/July4.

10 Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July Weekend in Denver

 

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With School almost out we thought it would be fun to post some fun ideas you can do at home with little or no cost this summer.

I love all the different bugs, animals, people, and other designs you can make  by just finger painting. In my own experience I have tried  many variety's  of stamp pads,  painting pads,  the list can go on forever with the variety of items you can purchase in todays market.
When working with kiddos I found the end result most times ended up with a muddled mess that didn't showcase the true colors.

 

So we set out to make our own and here's how we did it;



I found these great shimmy's at our local Dollar Tree.  I   cut the shammy into small manageable  pieces. I sprayed them down with a water bottle to lightly moisten. The first time I over wet them so be sure to just mist. Add a small amount of tempera paint , about a quarter sized to each square,  using a brush or fingers you then can paint with ease.  As the paint thins out it really turns into a unique stamp pad.  You can wash out the shammy when your done and reuse .

www.kidslutter.com

Using this idea for finger paint is simple, cost effective way of making your colors pop and setting your kiddos up for success
visit;
www.kidslutter.com for more ideas and tools to help your child be successful in school and at play.




 

we used minimal paint for this effect

Summer Fun

Hello and welcome to the beginning of summertime! Longer days and warmer weather. However, school is out and that requires a bit more organization on our part as parents. So, what is the plan?

Perhaps you have a family vacation planned and that will take getting everyone on the same page with packing and what to bring. A suggestion would be create a to do list for the family and give each member a task to complete for this trip. Even our little one's can get their toys together and help pack. Infact, they love doing those things more than we do sometimes. Make this vacation a memorable one in planning, getting ready to go and being on the trip together. This will also help your children see what goes into taking a trip and a teachable moment in giving them early skills to keep organized and help.

Maybe you are staying home this summer and keeping low key. There is always so much going on during the school year and a quiet summer sounds like the road to travel. The local pool, a picnic or the park. The expense to do activities is sometimes outrageous.

However, it does not always have to be. In most cities, some of the major museums and zoos have a free day during the summer to explore. Check online for your local opportunities and plan a free day with the family. A picnic lunch is a great way to complete this fun day.

A ballgame can be less expensive as well. Look for the family nights where you can get four tickets and dinner for a reasonable fee. Perhaps you encourage your family to look forward to this night. Set up some summer chores around the house where everyone participates and the reward is the game.

On an academic note, let your children pick out some great summer reading books at the library. Keep their skills up in this area and map out family reading time each day. Reading will always promote positive skills and keep children engaged in the learning process. Some libraries even host a challenge of some sort to read so many hours during the summer and then your child can receive a reward from them. Check your local library to find out what summer activities they have as well.

Whatever this summer brings you, remember to practice safety and have fun. Family time seems to be shorter these days and summer is usually a time when the sports and club activities require less meeting time. Use that time to reconnect and find that family laughter with time together. Take a walk, ride your bikes, cook-out and sit on the patio, play board games and find the fun.

We at www.kidsklutter.com wish you a healthy, safe and fun summer filled with family and friends...

Happy Summer!

Time for Routine and Organization - After School

Part 3 in a 3 part series...

What happens when your kids come home from school? Do you expect homework to be completed right away? Can they have a snack? What about play time? It is important to realize each child is different and some schedules that work for one of your children may not be the best for the other.

Children do need some quiet time and down time after school. Completing homework has to be done and you will need to decide when it works for you, your after school schedule and your child(ren). Keep this a routine so that your kids will know the expectation. Also, monitor any anxiety around your after school schedule. This will help you determine what will work best. Home work should always be done in a suitable place in your home. A desk or table with a well lit area is good. Keep the outside distractions to a minimum. You should plan to supervise, encourage and praise. This is a great place to make learning creative – make sure you and your child are having fun in this process. Laughing and finding new ways to learn difficult concepts can be fun for everyone in the family. If someone is struggling with something, make a game up to play at the dinner table and have everyone participate regardless of their age. It is easier than you think to scale down an older concept or build a younger concept up. This will engage each other in this journey together.

Organization will take time and looks different each school year as your child(ren) grow. Remember that they have to start with a clean slate each year and sometimes that means parents have to be a bit more flexible in creating a new routine. Make sure that you do not over schedule your kids in after school activities. 1-2 is plenty. Let them be kids. And make sure you do not over schedule yourself in school activities and meetings. Your child(ren) need you more during the school year. And finally, everyone in the house must get a good night’s sleep so work on that night time routine and make sure that your kids are getting 8-12 hours if possible. Research shows that even through high school kids need a good night’s rest so that their brain can re-set for the next day.

In closing, remember you do not have to be super-mom or super-dad. Your child(ren) need to know that and they need to see that you have difficulties as well. This is natural and helps them understand their own feelings. It is ok to say no to your kids and to outside commitments. Keep yourself healthy, get a good night’s rest and know that if something did not get done today, there is always tomorrow.

We are building strong minds and creative imaginations. This takes a life time to achieve.

Blessings to each of you this school year!

Time for Routine and Organization

Part 2 of a 3 part series...

Now that the kids are in school think about what will happen in your day. Whether you are a stay at home mom, dad or work full time the school year changes the dynamics of any schedule. Make sure the tasks of carpools, bus schedules, after school clubs and other important dates are on a master calendar. A suggestion is to keep a master calendar in the kitchen somewhere or in a very visible spot where everyone in the family can see it. If you are talking about multiple schedules then think about color coding your kids so that they will know what they have coming. If your children are younger, try making a picture calendar to give them information at their level of understanding and this way they feel like part of the master plan as well.

Make sure that you have had the opportunity to visit the school with your child(ren). Most schools have an ice cream social or back to school night. It is important for your child to see that you are interested in their education and also let the teacher know you will be working along side of them during the school year in making sure your child is successful. If your child is new to the school, make sure you help them find places like the bathroom, the office, the lunchroom. Although, they get a tour when school starts this will help with any anxiety around the start of school. Even returning students may have nervous feelings about their new class. If your child is bigger, then empower them by having them show you around the school and where their class is located. They will feel at ease if they have a question or concern by being put in a more responsible place. How many of us have heard this statement over and over…”Mom, I know.”

It is important that you stay on top of what your child is eating for lunch and snacks throughout the day. Healthy choices begin at a young age and stay with kids throughout adolescence into adulthood. Set the example early. Find out if the school lunches being served are balanced and if your child will actually even eat them. Otherwise, send a balanced lunch. A snack should not be a sugary one and should provide enough substance to carry them through the day. A piece of fruit, a granola bar, cheese and crackers, etc. are all good examples. Always send a water bottle with your child. Most schools allow them and would rather the kids have easy access to water. This will cut down on the amount of times the children will ask to go and get a drink as well and
make more time for learning.

Part 3 ... After School

Time for Routine and Organization

Part 1 of a 3 part series...

It is that time again; time to get ready to return to school. Those long days of summer are nearing an end and soon everyone will return to a more routine schedule. That schedule can seem endless filled with school days, homework, after school clubs, sports, dance, carpool, meetings and leaving everyone looking forward to the weekend! Now is the time to set everyone up in the house to be more organized and have some daily expected routines.

Sounds wonderful! Now, where do we begin? A great way to begin is to shop for your school supplies online. kids klutter (www.kidsklutter.com) is a way to have your supplies taken care of keeping your sanity and taking the headache out of shopping at several stores. Since school is ready to begin, you may have already shopped for your supplies and realized it was not an easy task and was expensive…Well, next year think of us and we can help you get those supplies easier. So, now you have the school supplies and your children are ready to go!

Now what? How do I get my kids back into the school routine? A great place to start is with a family meeting. A meeting around a meal is always fun and communication happens naturally. Talk about the start of school, discuss concerns and build your kids up about the new adventure of meeting the teacher, new friends and seeing old faces as well. Acknowledge any fears they may have and let them know you are going to be there to help them get a good start. Also, talk about goals for the school year from each family member and write them down. Make sure you refer to those goals whenever possible to keep the kids on track. Let the family be involved in the daily routine and expectations you may have as parents. Talk about what things must be done and how the family will help one another get those things completed. This is also a good place to discuss safety, especially if your children are taking the bus or walking to school. Stranger danger awareness cannot start too early. There are many resources on this subject – check out your library for information and help your kids understand the importance of being safe at all times.

Agreeing to have a morning ritual is important since that is the first place everyone will feel successful in beginning the day with the feeling of accomplishment that will carry each of you. Wake-up times, getting ready, morning jobs and eating a healthy breakfast are all things that need to happen regularly so make them a part of the daily routine. Make sure all homework and backpacks are done and packed the night before and are kept in the same spot for easy pick up the following morning on the way out the door. Having the kids get their clothes and shoes ready the night before is a time saver in the morning and can be a part of their nighttime routine.

These are all steps in getting you and your kids organized ongoing.

Part 2 ... Back to School

Summer Organization

By Deb Morgans

Time to get your kids organized for summer and keep your sanity

Are your kids getting tired and ready for summer? Those last few weeks of school can be the most difficult. Knowing that your children need some down time is a good thing but getting them ready for summer can be frustrating. We can help.

First of all, it is important to clean up this past school year. As the school days come to an end, a good tip is to find a place at the beginning of the year where you can collect school papers, reports and other things from your child’s schoolwork. I use a bin or a shelf for each of my children and just put everything in there as the year progresses. I usually do not throw anything away until I clean it out at the end of the year because I always find that my child needs something they have forgotten to turn in at a later time. At the end of the school year, I go through the papers and take a sample of every subject along with some art work and special reports. I put them in a folder and write the school year on the front and file it in a memories box for my child to look at later. Or, ask your child to help you pick out the things you both would like to keep. This helps give them closure on the year and is a way to build them up about their success they just finished. It is a good way to see progress over the years and you have an automatic portfolio of your child’s work! My children love to go back through those memories on a rainy or snowy day.

Then comes getting ready for summer; I find the summer the most difficult for children.
The first few weeks are always great. They play, they hand around, day events are planned but then all of a sudden we, as parents, cannot wait for school to begin again. They start to get bored or seem unglued at times. I started realizing that what they need is some sort of summer routine. All children do best when they know what is coming. That is why they can be so successful in school. Routine is the key. Of course, we do not want to routine them out during the summer, BUT it is important for them to have some sort of schedule or balance in their summer days. Too much of any one thing as they say is not good. So, make sure your days are balanced with outside activities, reading, a short amount of TV, games and events that engage their minds and bodies.

And, if your child was struggling in a subject during the school year, integrate some basic skills in their day as summer moves on. There are plenty of ways to keep a child’s skills up in the summer without making it feel like school. Visiting the library is a great example and most of them have a summer reading program that will work toward a reward. And there are many skill books in our bookstores that will help children keep up. Just have a time where your child will complete a few pages each day or every other day. Other examples of keeping children engaged are letting them help plan mid-day meals, shop for the items and prepare them also. Cooking is a great skill and children love to eat.

In closing, remember that they need to be outside in the sunlight daily so don’t forget the sunscreen. Outside chores are a good way to engage the video game child. And one final note…we tend to let them have a “whatever” time you want to stay up till attitude in the summer; however, that really works against our children and their ability to self regulate when they are too tired. So, some days are good to say ok but it is better to try to stick to a routine time even if it is just a little later then the school year. You will find that your child has a much better time making positive decisions during the day, interacting with other children and feeling good about themselves. And, you will find that you feel better yourself!

Blessings to you and your family for a fun, safe and healthy summer!

A New Day!

Welcome one and all!

This is our first blog entry and so I thought that a small sample of what we will be sharing here going forward would be nice.

kids klutter is committed to helping parents and teachers find new and innovative ways to help children to become better organizers. We believe that "children who are well-organized experience a greater level of self confidence and usually become more successful". This is one way that we can help at providing some tools or resources to help you create that successful organizer in your children and get them off to the right start.

It is somewhat fitting that we as educators and adults could always use a refresher course in these areas as well! Just as I am going through the process of writing this and a few other ideas down, my three kids are combing the house for the mailbox keys as we have misplaced them! You must love the irony!