The Children's Museum at Saratoga
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Where Learning and Play go Hand-in-Hand

Rainbow Milk

Dish soap reduces the surface tension of the milk and causes the fat and water to separate, spreading them apart. The food coloring is swept along in this clamorous movement, causing the swirling patterns in the milk. Whole and 2% milk contain more fat, an important component for the experiment.

Materials:

  • A wide bowl or shallow plate
  • Whole or 2% milk
  • Food coloring
  • Toothpick or q-tip
  • Dish soap

Directions:

  1. Pour the milk into your dish and allow it to settle.
  2. Help your child place a few drops of food coloring near the center of the milk.
  3. Place a dab of dish soap on the end of a toothpick or q-tip.
  4. Have your child touch the soap to the milk surface and watch the colors scatter!

 

Puffy Paint Project

Now is the perfect time to start experimenting with different kinds of paint! With puffy paint, your child will be able to practice measuring ingredients and create a piece of 3D art!

Materials:

  • 3+ cups of shaving cream (foam, not gel)
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup white glue
  • Food coloring or paint
  • Ziploc-style sandwich bags

Directions:

  1. First, mix the shaving cream, flour, and glue in a large bowl.
  2. Then, separate into smaller bowls and add food coloring or paint to make different colors.
  3. Place each color in a separate sandwich bag, remove excess air, and seal the bag.
  4. Next, move the paint into a corner of the bag and cut a small hole on that corner.
  5. Have your child squeeze the bag onto a piece of construction paper.
  6. Encourage your child to make different shapes, animals, and letters.

 

Scavenger Hunt

This activity will take some setup and planning, but it’s worth the fun! The longer the scavenger hunt the better it is. You could event add in little prizes or treasure along the way!

Materials:

  • Slips of paper
  • A hidden prize
  • Many hiding places

Directions:

  1. First, you’ll need a prize at the end of the hunt. It can be something small or maybe a request. Whatever works best!
  2. Now, think of a few hiding places you could place slips of paper and creative clues to write down about each one. It’s easiest to start at the end and work backwards, finishing with the first clue you will give out.
  3. Keep leaving clues all over the house until your scavenger hunt is ready to!
  4. Starting with the first clue, help your child work their way through the scavenger hunt.
  5. When they’ve found the prize at the end, ask them to create a scavenger hunt for you!

 

Play Dough Sensory

Playing with play dough helps your child improve their hand-eye coordination and dexterity. Both are skills needed for writing, drawing, and playing! Developing pre-writing skills during sensory play makes the learning process enjoyable and entertaining.

Materials:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 tsp cream of tartar
  • ½ cup salt
  • 1 Tbsp cooking oil, olive oil, or vegetable oil.
  • 1 cup water

Directions:

  1. Combine flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a large bowl and mix well.
  2. Next, mix your food coloring with the water. Place in a large pot and mix in the oil
  3. Add the dry ingredients to your pot and mix well.
  4. Cook over low to medium heat and watch as the dough starts to form.
  5. Once the dough is dry, remove from heat and let the dough cool.
  6. After cooling, knead the dough until it is soft and ready for sensory play!

 

Bookmark for a Book Lover!

Help your child create a beautiful bookmark they can use every time they read! This art project promotes story time and encourages your family to make reading a part of every day. During this activity, your child will practice fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination while coloring, gluing, and cutting decorations for their bookmark.

Materials:

  • Crayons
  • Markers
  • Colored pencils
  • Stickers
  • Construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Yarn or string
  • Glue sticks
  • Buttons
  • Hole punch

Directions:

  1. Choose which color bookmark you’d like and help your child cut out a rectangle.
  2. Have your child write their name on the bookmark. If your child is young, write their name and have them trace it.
  3. Now it’s time for your child to decorate with markers, crayons, stickers, shapes, and more. Practice the correct way to hold and sue each utensil or material.
  4. Using a hole punch, attached string or yarn to the top to complete the bookmark!