Category: Imagine Indoors

Imagine Indoors – How to Ideas for Kids

Some days, we just can’t get outside and run wild. Once in a while, we’re stuck in the house and need something fun to do. Well don’t despair fellow Crempers! We have some great ideas that can turn a boring rainy day into a fun-filled indoor adventure. Our “Projects for Kids” articles will give you some fun ideas for indoor play and our “How to Ideas for Kids” articles will bring out the creative side of you. (And keep you from getting under mom’s skin.) We even have some fun Spy Games for Kids that will challenge you and teach you how to be a spy. Then, when you’re tired and ready to get off your feet, check out the book reviews for kids that will include some “JMCremps Approved” good books for boys.

How to Blow up a Balloon With Baking Soda and Vinegar

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Combine a few common kitchen ingredients and watch them inflate a balloon without your help!  This fun hands-on experiment is a great way to learn about chemical reactions and encourage a love for science in your child.  The two combined ingredients create carbon dioxide, which is what inflates the balloon.  The balloon doesn’t contain helium, so it won’t float.

How to Inflate a Balloon With Baking Soda and Vinegar

Step 1: Pour a little vinegar into a plastic bottle. Choose a plastic water bottle, or another bottle with a narrow neck. Pour 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of vinegar into the bottle, using a funnel if you have one. Use white vinegar, also called distilled vinegar, for the best result.

  • You can try this with any kind of vinegar, but the inflation might take longer or require more vinegar to work. Other types of vinegar tend to be more expensive as well.
  • Vinegar can damage metal containers, potentially adding an unpleasant taste to food and drink stored in that container. If you have no plastic bottles, use a high-quality stainless steel bottle to minimize the chance of this happening. Weakening the vinegar with an equal amount of water might also help, and won’t prevent the balloon from inflating.

How to Blow up a Balloon With Baking Soda and Vinegar

Step 2: Use a funnel or straw to put a little baking soda into a limp balloon. You can use any shape and color of balloon. Hold it loosely by the neck, with the open side of the balloon facing towards you. Fit a funnel into the neck if you have one, then pour about two tablespoons (30 mL) baking soda into the balloon, or just fill the balloon about halfway full.

  • If you don’t have a funnel, you can place a plastic straw into a pile of baking soda, put your finger over the top hole of the straw, then poke the straw into the balloon and lift your finger. Tap the straw to get the baking soda to fall out, and repeat until the balloon is at least 1/3 of the way full.

How to Blow up a Balloon With Baking Soda and Vinegar

Step 3: Stretch the neck of the balloon over the top of the bottle. Be careful not to spill the baking soda while you do this. Hold the balloon’s neck with both hands and stretch it over the top of the plastic bottle containing vinegar. Have a friend keep the bottle steady if the table or bottle is wobbly.

How to Blow up a Balloon With Baking Soda and Vinegar

Step 4: Lift the balloon up over the bottle and watch the reaction. The baking soda should fall out of the balloon, through the neck of the bottle, and into the vinegar at the bottom. Here, the two chemicals will fizz and react, turning into other chemicals. One of these is carbon dioxide, a gas, which will rise up and inflate the balloon.

  • Shake the bottle gently to mix the two ingredients if there’s not much fizzing.

How to Blow up a Balloon with Baking Soda and Vinegar

Step 5: If it doesn’t work, try again with more vinegar or baking soda. If the fizzing has stopped and the balloon still hasn’t inflated after you count to 100, empty out the bottle and try again with more vinegar and baking soda. The stuff left in the bottle has turned into other chemicals, mostly water, so it can’t be used again.

  • Don’t go overboard. The bottle should never be more than about 1/3 full of vinegar.

 

How does this work?

How to Blow up a Balloon With Baking Soda and Vinegar

Just about everything around you is composed of molecules.  Often, when two different molecules react with each other, they break up and form entirely new molecules from the pieces.

How to Blow up a Balloon With Baking Soda and Vinegar

Learn about baking soda and vinegar. The reactants, or substances that reacted with each other in the fizzy reaction you saw, are baking soda and vinegar. Unlike many ingredients in your kitchen, both of these are simple chemicals, not complicated mixtures of many chemicals:

  • Baking soda is another word for the molecule sodium bicarbonate.
  • White vinegar is a mixture of acetic acid and water. Only the acetic acid reacts with the baking soda.

How to Blow up a Balloon With Baking Soda and Vinegar

Read about the reaction. Baking soda is a type of substance called a base. Vinegar, or acetic acid, is a type of substance called an acid. Bases and acids react with each other, partially breaking apart and forming different substances. This is described as “neutralization” because the end result is neither a base nor an acid. In this case, the new substances are water, a kind of salt, and carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide, a gas, leaves the liquid mixture and expands throughout the bottle and the balloon, inflating it.

  • Although the definition of acid and base can get complicated, you can compare the differences between the original substances and the “neutralized” result to see there are obvious changes. For instance, vinegar has a strong smell and can be used to dissolve grime and dirt. After being mixed with baking soda, it smells much less strongly and is no more effective at cleaning than water is.

How to Blow up a Balloon With Baking Soda and Vinegar

Study the chemical formula. If you’re familiar with some chemistry, or curious about how scientists describe reactions, the formula below describes the reaction between sodium bicarbonate NaHCO3 and acetic acid H C2H3O2(aq)NaC2H3O2. Can you figure out how each molecule splits apart and reforms?

  • NaHCO3(aq) + HC2H3O2(aq) → NaC2H3O2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
  • The letters in parentheses show the state the chemicals are in during and after the reaction: (g)as, (l)iquid, or (aq)ueous. “Aqueous” means the chemical is dissolved in water.

If you enjoyed this experiment and are looking for more great hands-on learning, click the links to check out our other science experiments, science kits, learning & discovery kits, and homeschool resources.

 

The instructional portion of this article was provided by wikihow, a wiki building the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How To Blow up a Balloon With Baking Soda and Vinegar.  Content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons License.

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Say Hello To The Best Gingerbread Cookie Out There

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Picture this: the presents are all wrapped and under the tree, the kids are asleep dreaming of peppermint sticks and puppies, the stars twinkle overhead  in the frosty air, and all is peacefully silent and still at last.  As you plop backwards onto the couch, what do you reach for on the end table at your side?  Why, only the best, most delicious, delectable, iconic Christmas treat there is out there.  Grandma’s Ginger Cookies of course!  Whether setting them out for Santa on Christmas Eve or adding them as a staple food to your diet throughout the entire holiday season, folks will be raving about these cookies until next Christmas rolls around.

 

Best Gingerbread Cookies

Grandma’s Ginger Cookies

  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 ½ tsp ground cloves
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar, lightly packed
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cup unsulfured molasses
  • 1 extra-large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 ¼ cups chopped crystallized ginger (6 ounces) (tip: Crystallized ginger comes in pkgs in the produce aisle or in the spice aisle)
  • granulated sugar, for rolling the cookies

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and salt and then combine the mixture with your hands. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the brown sugar, oil, and molasses on medium speed for 5 minutes. Turn the mixer to low speed, add the egg, and beat for 1 minute. Scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula and beat for 1 more minute. With the mixer still on low, slowly add the dry ingredients to the bowl and mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add the crystallized ginger and mix until combined.

Scoop the dough with 2 spoons or a small ice cream scoop. With your hands, roll each cookie into a 1 ¾-inch ball and then flatten them lightly with your fingers. Press both sides of each cookie in granulated sugar and place them on the sheet pans. Bake for exactly 13 minutes. The cookies will be crackled on the top and soft inside. Let the cookies cool on the sheets for a minute or two, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Enjoy, but don’t eat too much! You’ll want to save room for dinner after all.

How to Make a Simple Weather Barometer

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Looking for a science project for your homeschooled kids, or just something fun and educational for your kids to do?  This activity is sure to spark a bit of curiosity in your child, as it gives them the chance to play weather forecaster.  Predicting the weather may seem a bit like magic, but after a couple weeks of checking their barometer, they’ll have a much better understanding of how this can be done!

How to Make a Simple Weather Barometer

Step 1: Gather the things you’ll need. These consist of: Scissors, tape, a balloon, a jar, an elastic rubber band, a straw.

 

How to Make a Simple Weather Barometer

Step 2: Blow up the balloon carefully and then let the air out of it again. (This is to stretch it.)

 

How to Make a Simple Weather Barometer

Step 3: Cut the balloon in half. Discard the piece with the neck on it.

 

How to Make a Simple Weather Barometer

Step 4: Take the remaining piece of the balloon and stretch it across the glass or jar.Keep it stretched firmly across and seal it down with the rubber band, around the rim of the glass jar. To make an airtight seal, avoid gaps between the balloon and the glass.

 

How to Make a Simple Weather Barometer

Step 5: Tape the straw onto the balloon lid; the straw should be sitting one quarter of a way on the lid, with the tape about 2 cm or 1 inch from the edge of the straw end that is sitting on the balloon lid. The straw is your indicator “needle”. Trim the straw if it’s too long, but leave more length off the jar as what is attached to it.

 

How to Make a Simple Weather Barometer

Step 6: Put the finished glass jar next to a wall and tape a piece of paper or card to the wall behind it.

 

How to Make a Simple Weather Barometer

Step 7: Mark the current position of the straw on the paper, and mark one above and below the mark, about the same length away, and label the high and low pressure. Arrange the paper so there is room above and below the straw for you to make more marks when the straw moves.

 

How to Make a Simple Weather Barometer

Step 8: Check the straw regularly and keep marking its location on the paper for a few days. Add notes that tell you what the weather is like (for example, “rainy,” “windy,” or “sunny,”) next to the mark.

  • Examine the paper after several days. Check the markings and the weather statements you’ve put next to them. What do you notice? Can you tell if and when the weather is about to change? See “Tips” for the answers.

Q&A

  • Does the barometer have to be outside?  Yes, it is very important to leave the barometer outside so that it can record more effectively.
  • What can a barometer indicate about the weather?  A barometer can only measure air pressure, giving an indication of the expected weather during the following 24 hours. Simply put, high pressure is likely to drive rain bearing clouds away, low pressure will likely let it in, leading to precipitation (rain).
  • Why do we blow up the balloon before using it?  To stretch it out. If you just pull the two ends, you can rip it and you will have to get a new one.

Tips:

  • As the straw moves up with higher air pressure, the days should be sunnier. As the straw lowers, the skies may be looking gray and you should expect cloudy or rainy weather on the way.
  • When you fitted the balloon over the glass, you captured air under a certain pressure. The balloon now indicates changes in the atmospheric pressure, that is, the pressure of the air around you. Higher air pressure pushes the balloon into the jar and makes the straw go up. Conversely, the air inside the jar expands against lower pressure and will bulge the balloon, moving the straw down. The straw makes it easier to see the motions of the balloon.
  • Also notice that the straw moves up or down just before a weather change since a change in weather typically coincides with a change in the atmospheric pressure.
  • Try to take each reading at the same temperature, since air expands when heated and contracts when cooled, which would also move the straw-indicator.
  • Check your results against the pressure from weather reports for your area. If you didn’t do it correctly, keep trying until you get it right.
  • Try this over a longer period of time if you’re having a week of rain or a week of sunshine. Try to choose the seasons likely to bring the most changes during a short period of time in your part of the world.
  • This is a delicate item. Place it away from foot traffic and daily activity.
  • Don’t leave the balloon in direct sunlight; this will wear it out and can affect the experiment.
  • Make sure there are no gaps or air holes in the balloon during the experiment; this will affect the outcome.

The instructional portion of this article was provided by wikihow, a wiki building the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make a Simple Weather Barometer.  Content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons License.

How to Make a Mask Using Tin Foil and Tape

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A perfect mask can be made using surprisingly few products that can be found at home: tin foil and tape. Not only is this mask incredibly simple to make, but the tin foil enables it to perfectly fit your face. Once the mask is made, there are so many possible characters it can be adapted to.

How to Make a Mask With Tin Foil and Tape

Step 1: Overlap 3 sheets of aluminum foil in a stack.

How to Make a Mask With Tin Foil and Tape

Step 2: Push the stack of sheets onto your face. Push down as hard as you are comfortable pushing. Do it carefully, so the foil does not become punctured. (It might be useful to have a helper do this part.)

How to Make a Mask With Tin Foil and Tape

Step 3: Check you have the general outline of your face imprinted: nose, lips, corners of your eyes and cheekbones. Use a marker and trace around your eyes (it might be good to follow the bones around your eye socket) for where you want to place the eye holes in your mask. Also, trace around anything else you want cut out. (Breathing holes are useful for breathing!)you might also want to cut a hole for talking too.

How to Make a Mask With Tin Foil and Tape

Step 4: Carefully remove the foil from your face. Cut with sharp scissors around the edges of the mask. And note––once you cut it, you can’t really go back easily, so leave extra.

How to Make a Mask With Tin Foil and Tape

Step 5: Carefully cut out the eyes. Do this either by puncturing the foil with a toothpick and tearing the foil out, or snipping in the center of the area with the tip of scissors and folding the foil back.

How to Make a Mask With Tin Foil and Tape

Step 6: Cut holes or slots in the side of your mask. These are for the ribbons/cord/shoelaces to attach the mask to your face.

How to Make a Mask With Tin Foil and Tape

Step 7: Cut small sections of tape. While pressing the mask to your face to keep the features strong, gently place the tape onto your mask. When you feel the mask’s features are firm enough, place all the sections of tape, overlapping, across all visible places of foil, including the back (foil is itchy next to the skin).

How to Make a Mask With Tin Foil and Tape

Step 8: Tie the cord to the holes in the side of your mask. Leave enough length to both wrap around your head, and to tie in a nice knot or bow.

How to Make a Mask With Tin Foil and Tape

Step 9: Decorate using acrylic paints. Paint whatever you want, making sure to leave it to dry out of the way of people or pets. 

Paint completely black for the ideal Ninja disguise, or add colorful paints and sequins for a masquerade ball!  You can also add things like horns, a pointed nose, or antlers by simply making the form with tin foil, and covering with tape like what you did in the previous steps.  Become whatever character you’d like in a few easy steps!

The instructional portion of this article was provided by wikihow, a wiki building the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How To Make A Mask Out of Tin Foil and Tape  Content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons License.

How To Make a Duct Tape Tote

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Is your duct tape wallet not quite big enough to hold your various treasures?  Try something a bit bigger!  This duct tape tote is waterproof, and perfect for carrying around whatever you’d like.  If you’d like to decorate it a bit, simply buy some crafts to decorate until it’s to your satisfaction.  You can also adjust the size of the bag by changing the size of the measurements.

A couple of warnings before we begin:
-Be careful with the knife.  Make sure you’re cutting away from yourself, in case you slip.
-When you’re cutting the tape off of the paper, be careful not to cut off a part.

Things you will need:
-Duct tape in various colors
-Scissors
-Hobby/craft knife
-Ruler
-Piece of paper
-Pen
-Markers (for a variety of colors)

How to Make a Duct Tape Tote

Step 1: Make the bottom of the purse by drawing a 5.5 inch by 3 inch (14cm by 7.6cm) rectangle on a piece of paper. Apply duct tape to the back of the paper rectangle. Cut out the rectangle.

How to Make a Duct Tape Tote

Step 2: Line the outside of the bottom of the purse by applying duct tape to the back (paper side), leaving at least 1/4 inch (.6cm) of the sticky part showing.

How to Make a Duct Tape Tote

Step 3: Make two long sides by making two 7 inch (17.75cm) long duct tape fabric (laying duct tape out and overlapping the edges to form a piece of duct tape) of 3 pieces of duct tape.

How to Make a Duct Tape Tote

Step 4: Tape the inside color of duct tape over the outside pieces, sticky side to sticky side, in a perpendicular direction. You will need to leave at least a .25 inch (.6cm) part of the sticky tape showing on one end. Use the bottom to mark with a pen how wide the inside should be.

  • Know that if you place the two sides next to each other as you apply the inside color of tape, you can cut them apart when you are finished.

How to Make a Duct Tape Tote

How to Make a Duct Tape Tote

Step 5: Make two narrow sides by making a 5.5 inch (14cm) long by 3 pieces wide fabric of duct tape with the outside color. Use the bottom template to mark with a pen how wide the inside should be. Apply the inside color leaving at least 1/4 inch (.6cm) sticky part showing on the long sides.

How to Make a Duct Tape Tote

Step 6: Fit the sides together matching up the inside tape and sticking together with the exposed sticky parts.

How to Make a Duct Tape Tote

Step 7: Trim the top and bottom of the purse to be straight. Trim the sides of the purse leaving 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6mm) sticking out.

How to Make a Duct Tape Tote

Step 8: Attach the sides to the bottom of the purse. This can be a bit tricky. Start with one long side, laying it next to the inside bottom. Press onto the exposed sticky part of the bottom. Repeat for each side until it is attached. Trim the corners of the bottom so that the sides will stick out again.

How to Make a Duct Tape Tote

Step 9: Make handles for the purse by folding a piece of duct tape into thirds. Attach these to the purse with a strip of the inside color of duct tape.

So there you are!  Carry around your schoolbooks, use it for collecting rocks, or simply to organize your room a bit more.  You can find a great selection of colored duct tape, metallic duck tape, camo duck tape, and even glow-in-the-dark duck tape at jmcremps.com.  If you want even more fascinating and fun Duct Tape Projects, check out our e-book series called Warfare by Duct Tape.  The easy-to-follow instructions will allow any creative kid (or adult) to create swords, armor, shields, and more!

The instructional portion of this article was provided by wikihow, a wiki building the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make a Duct Tape Tote.  Content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons License.

Easy Science Project: How To Make a Bouncy Egg

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Are you in need of a simple science project that only requires a few household ingredients?  Look no further!  Parents are always telling children not to play with their food, but they’ll make an exception on this one.  Try this fun experiment that turns an egg into a bouncy ball!  The only ingredients required are an egg or two, some vinegar, and a container.

Easy Science Project - How to Make a Bouncy Egg

Step 1: Get a container of vinegar ready. Find a jar or Tupperware container large enough to fit the egg. Grab a bottle of regular white vinegar and fill the jar or Tupperware container with vinegar. Don’t fill it all the way to the brim though, because then putting the egg in will make it overflow.

Step 2: Add dye if you want to color your bouncy egg. You can easily make your finished bouncy egg any color you want to by adding food coloring dye to the vinegar. Just add around 10 drops of the dye to the vinegar, or enough to color the whole container of vinegar.

  • It doesn’t have to be filled to the top but it should be filled high enough so that the egg can be completely submerged in vinegar.

Easy Science Project - How to Make a Bouncy Egg

Step 3: Submerge an egg. Get a raw, unboiled egg. Place the raw egg in the vinegar-filled container. Just drop it in from right above the vinegar so the vinegar doesn’t splash everywhere. Make sure it is completely submerged.

Easy Science Project - How to Make a Bouncy Egg

Step 4: Cover the container. Place a lid on your container and leave it somewhere safe but out of the sun. The less sunlight it gets the better, so either put it somewhere dark like a closet, or cover it with something like a kitchen cloth.

Easy Science Project - How to Make a Bouncy Egg

Step 5: Wait for the shell of the egg to completely dissolve. This process can take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours. To be on the safe side, wait three days before continuing.

Easy Science Project - How to Make a Bouncy Egg

Step 6: Check the egg. Look at the egg through the container every once and a while to check its progress. The egg will turn a transparent color because the eggshell is decreasing in thickness. The eggshell will soon dissolve, leaving a thick strong egg white.

  • The reason the shell dissolves is because vinegar is a weak acid. The egg shell is made of calcium carbonate. When the shell meets vinegar, it makes a chemical reaction that turns the calcium carbonate into carbon dioxide, which is what those bubbles in the container are.

Step 7: Remove the egg. Take the egg out of the vinegar carefully. Just reach in and pull it out with your hand. Don’t forget to wash your hand afterwards. Place the egg on a couple of paper towels to let it drain.

  • Be extra careful when handling a raw bouncy egg. It will be more fragile than a boiled bouncy egg.

Easy Science Project - How to Make a Bouncy Egg

Step 8: Bounce it. Make sure it’s dry first. You can speed this up by drying it by hand with a paper towel. Be careful not to drop it from too high of a height, as it can still break and leave a mess. Start with just a few inches, and have cleaning supplies ready!

If you enjoyed this project and are looking for more science-related entertainment, be sure to check out jmcremps.com for a great selection of science kits, science books, and loads of other fun, exciting, and educational items!

The instructional portion of this article was provided by wikihow, a wiki building the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How To Make A Bouncy Egg. Content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons License.

Duct Tape Project- How to Make a Duct Tape Rose

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The only thing sweeter than a hand picked rose is a custom, handmade Duct Tape rose. This fun craft makes for an impressive and unique gift or decoration; either alone or as a whole bouquet.

There are different variations of Duct Tape roses.  Some require a little more experience than others, but they all require the same materials:

  • Duct Tape (at least 2 different colors)
  • Wire, pen, or drinking straw
  • Scissors
  • Ruler

Method 1: The Simple Duct Tape Rose

1. Gather your materials. You’ll need duct tape and a ruler to make the petals of the rose. You’ll also need a craft stick or a straw, whichever you prefer, to make the stem. Using a craft stick will create a sturdier stem, but choose the items you have on hand. You’ll also need some scissors if you prefer to cut your tape instead of rip it.
1. Gather your materials. You’ll need duct tape and a ruler to make the petals of the rose. You’ll also need a craft stick or a straw, whichever you prefer, to make the stem. Using a craft stick will create a sturdier stem, but choose the items you have on hand. You’ll also need some scissors if you prefer to cut your tape instead of rip it.
2. Tear a 2 x 2 inch (5 x 5cm) square of duct tape. It doesn't have to be exact, but it should be approximately the size mentioned. However, if you want all of your petals to be the same size, feel free to use a ruler to measure 2 inches (5 cm) of width and height. Then, rip or cut off the piece.
2. Tear a 2 x 2 inch (5 x 5cm) square of duct tape. It doesn’t have to be exact, but it should be approximately the size mentioned. However, if you want all of your petals to be the same size, feel free to use a ruler to measure 2 inches (5 cm) of width and height. Then, rip or cut off the piece.
3. Fold the right corner down toward the bottom left corner. But, do not extend it all the way to the opposite corner. Leave about a quarter of an inch of the sticky underside showing so that the border is framing each side. Again, it doesn’t have to be an exact measurement.
3. Fold the right corner down toward the bottom left corner. But, do not extend it all the way to the opposite corner. Leave about a quarter of an inch of the sticky underside showing so that the border is framing each side. Again, it doesn’t have to be an exact measurement.
4. Fold the left corner down flush with the other corner. Match up the top left corner with the right corner so that they are flush with each other. None of the sticky underside should be showing. As with before, approximations are fine, and it is okay if the corners are not lined up perfectly.
4. Fold the left corner down flush with the other corner. Match up the top left corner with the right corner so that they are flush with each other. None of the sticky underside should be showing. As with before, approximations are fine, and it is okay if the corners are not lined up perfectly.
5. Make seven more petals. Continue in the same fashion as in steps two, three and four to make additional petals to fill out your rose. All of them should be approximately the same size. If if you want a small rose, only make about seven more. But if you want a bigger rose, make about 14 more petals to add some fullness.
5. Make seven more petals. Continue in the same fashion as in steps two, three and four to make additional petals to fill out your rose. All of them should be approximately the same size. If if you want a small rose, only make about seven more. But if you want a bigger rose, make about 14 more petals to add some fullness.
6. Wrap the petal around the drinking straw or craft stick. Turn the petal so that the pointy end of the petal sticks up when it is wrapped around the stick. If need be, turn it on an angle to orient it like at an angle. If you continue in this fashion, it creates the appearance of a rose opening.
6. Wrap the petal around the drinking straw or craft stick. Turn the petal so that the pointy end of the petal sticks up when it is wrapped around the stick. If need be, turn it on an angle to orient it like at an angle. If you continue in this fashion, it creates the appearance of a rose opening.
7. Continue to lay the petals over each other. Repeat steps 1-4 by wrapping the petals around the stick in the same direction as before. After wrapping all of the petals, you will see that they have formed into a rose. Bend the petals to make them fluff out as much as you want.
7. Continue to lay the petals over each other. Repeat steps 1-4 by wrapping the petals around the stick in the same direction as before. After wrapping all of the petals, you will see that they have formed into a rose. Bend the petals to make them fluff out as much as you want.
8. Rip off enough duct tape to cover the rest of the craft stick. Seven to 8 inches (17.78 cm - 20.32 cm) should be plenty. Then, place the top left corner of the tape on the bottom of the rose and start to wrap it diagonally around the craft stick. Wrap it all the way down the stem until the rest of the straw or craft stick is covered in duct tape. To sturdy the rose, rip off an one inch (2.54 cm) section of duct tape, and wrap it vertically around the bottom of the rose and the top of the stick.
8. Rip off enough duct tape to cover the rest of the craft stick. Seven to 8 inches (17.78 cm – 20.32 cm) should be plenty. Then, place the top left corner of the tape on the bottom of the rose and start to wrap it diagonally around the craft stick. Wrap it all the way down the stem until the rest of the straw or craft stick is covered in duct tape. To sturdy the rose, rip off an one inch (2.54 cm) section of duct tape, and wrap it vertically around the bottom of the rose and the top of the stick.

Method 2: Making a Fuller Rose

1. Gather your materials. You’ll need duct tape and a ruler to make the petals of the rose. You’ll also need a craft stick or a straw, whichever you prefer, to make the stem. Using a craft stick will create a sturdier stem, but choose the items you have on hand. You’ll also need some scissors if you prefer to cut your tape instead of rip it.
1. Gather your materials. You’ll need duct tape and a ruler to make the petals of the rose. You’ll also need a craft stick or a straw, whichever you prefer, to make the stem. Using a craft stick will create a sturdier stem, but choose the items you have on hand. You’ll also need some scissors if you prefer to cut your tape instead of rip it.
2. Cut a piece of duct tape long enough to cover the stick, straw or pen. Ten inches (25.4 cm) is a good size. Roll the tape lengthwise sticky-side up around the wire, straw or pen. If you are using a pen, just tape around the outside until everything except for the tip of the pen is completely covered.
3. Tear a 2 inch (5.08 cm) piece of tape. Again, it doesn’t need to be exact. Fold the top right corner down so that the point touches the midpoint of the square. Leave the sticky side of adhesive showing on the side and bottom. Then repeat with the other corner.
4. Fold the left corner down so that it touches the midpoint of the square. (These are the classic first two steps in making a paper airplane.) The two folded down corners should look like a triangle, and below it there should be about 1/2 an inch (2.54 cm) of the adhesive side showing on the bottom.
5. Make about 79 petals to make a really full rose. If you don't want it to be as full, opt for 50 or 60 petals. Follow the same process as in steps two, three and four. So, all of the petals should be approximately the same size and shape.
5. Make about 79 petals to make a really full rose. If you don’t want it to be as full, opt for 50 or 60 petals. Follow the same process as in steps two, three and four. So, all of the petals should be approximately the same size and shape.

 

6. Wrap the petal around the drinking straw or craft stick. Turn the petal so that the pointy end of the petal sticks up when it is wrapped around the stick. If need be, turn it on an angle to orient it like at an angle. If you continue in this fashion, it creates the appearance of a rose opening.
6. Wrap the petal around the drinking straw or craft stick. Turn the petal so that the pointy end of the petal sticks up when it is wrapped around the stick. If need be, turn it on an angle to orient it like at an angle. If you continue in this fashion, it creates the appearance of a rose opening.
7. Add a second row of a few more petals. But, this time spread the petals out more by not wrapping them as tightly. Continue to wrap the petals around the stem to form each layer of petals. Stop when you have reached your desired fullness.
7. Add a second row of a few more petals. But, this time spread the petals out more by not wrapping them as tightly. Continue to wrap the petals around the stem to form each layer of petals. Stop when you have reached your desired fullness.
8. Add a third row of a few more petals. But, this time spread the petals out more by not wrapping them as tightly. Continue to wrap the petals around the stem to form each layer of petals. Stop when you have reached your desired fullness.
8. Add a third row of a few more petals. But, this time spread the petals out more by not wrapping them as tightly. Continue to wrap the petals around the stem to form each layer of petals. Stop when you have reached your desired fullness.
9. Make a leaf in the stem color. You’re going to make a leaf to hide the seam between the rose and the stem. Repeat steps 3 and 4 with duct tape the same color as the stem to make the leaf. Then, stick it under the rose to cover the place where the rose and stem meet. Make two leaves.
9. Make a leaf in the stem color. You’re going to make a leaf to hide the seam between the rose and the stem. Repeat steps 3 and 4 with duct tape the same color as the stem to make the leaf. Then, stick it under the rose to cover the place where the rose and stem meet. Make two leaves.

Method 3: Making a Long Stem with Leaves

1. Select the material that best suits your rose. Craft sticks are sturdier, but wires allow more flexibility in the stem and the leaves. If you are creating a heavier rose, such as in method two, you might want to opt for the craft stick. But if your rose is smaller with fewer petals, such as the “simple rose,” then the wire will do just fine.
1. Select the material that best suits your rose. Craft sticks are sturdier, but wires allow more flexibility in the stem and the leaves. If you are creating a heavier rose, such as in method two, you might want to opt for the craft stick. But if your rose is smaller with fewer petals, such as the “simple rose,” then the wire will do just fine.
2. Cut a long piece of wire to about 10 to 12 inches (25.4 cm). If you are using a craft stick, use the longest craft stick you can find. Or, tape two together. Put two sticks next to each other with about 2 cm (0.787 inches) overlapping. Then, put a small piece of duct tape less than two inches (5.08 cm) over it to secure it. You can cover the seam later. To make it look more natural, cut one of the craft sticks to about 2 inches. Then, overlap them and tape them together in the method previously mentioned.
2. Cut a long piece of wire to about 10 to 12 inches (25.4 cm). If you are using a craft stick, use the longest craft stick you can find. Or, tape two together. Put two sticks next to each other with about 2 cm (0.787 inches) overlapping. Then, put a small piece of duct tape less than two inches (5.08 cm) over it to secure it. You can cover the seam later. To make it look more natural, cut one of the craft sticks to about 2 inches. Then, overlap them and tape them together in the method previously mentioned.
3. Tear off a piece of duct tape long enough to cover the stem. So, if your wire is 10 inches, rip off at least that much. Placing the upper left corner of the tape at a diagonal wrap the duct tape around the wire.The seams should be diagonal as you wrap them around the stem. Use the same method for the craft stick. Rip off enough duct tape to cover your stem and wrap it.
4. Cut a strip of duct tape about four inches (10.16 cm) long. Fold it over on itself. Then, cut a leaf shape. The shape should be an oval shape with a point at the top and the bottom, which is a typical leaf form. If you need assistance, use a template online.
4. Cut a strip of duct tape about four inches (10.16 cm) long. Fold it over on itself. Then, cut a leaf shape. The shape should be an oval shape with a point at the top and the bottom, which is a typical leaf form. If you need assistance, use a template online.
5. Pinch the base of the leaf. When you do this, the sides of the leaf should curl and the point should fold over on itself. With a small piece of tape about an inch (2.54 cm) long and a centimeter (0.393 cm) wide, wrap tape vertically around the base of the leaf so that it remains curved like when you pinched it. This effect makes the leaf look more real. Cut four more leaf shapes and fasten their bottoms with thin strips of duct tape as previously mentioned.
5. Pinch the base of the leaf. When you do this, the sides of the leaf should curl and the point should fold over on itself. With a small piece of tape about an inch (2.54 cm) long and a centimeter (0.393 cm) wide, wrap tape vertically around the base of the leaf so that it remains curved like when you pinched it. This effect makes the leaf look more real. Cut four more leaf shapes and fasten their bottoms with thin strips of duct tape as previously mentioned.
6. Attach the leaves to the stem. Place a leaf with the folded part facing the stem of the rose against the wrapped wire or stick. Then wrap a skinny piece of tape about an inch (2.54 cm) long and a centimeter (0.393 cm) wide along the stem to secure it. -If you have used two craft sticks taped together, place a leaf over the seam where the two sticks overlap and secure it with a small piece of tape as previously mentioned. -If the sticks meet at the end of the stick, designate that end as the top of the rose stem near the flower. -Attach all the other leaves in a similar fashion.
6. Attach the leaves to the stem. Place a leaf with the folded part facing the stem of the rose against the wrapped wire or stick. Then wrap a skinny piece of tape about an inch (2.54 cm) long and a centimeter (0.393 cm) wide along the stem to secure it.
-If you have used two craft sticks taped together, place a leaf over the seam where the two sticks overlap and secure it with a small piece of tape as previously mentioned.
-If the sticks meet at the end of the stick, designate that end as the top of the rose stem near the flower.
-Attach all the other leaves in a similar fashion.
7. Attach your rose petals to the stem in the methods mentioned in the earlier sections. In other words, make your long stem first, then roll your first layer of petals on the stem. Allow the other layers to flare out slightly. Keep adding petals until you have reached your desired fullness.
7. Attach your rose petals to the stem in the methods mentioned in the earlier sections. In other words, make your long stem first, then roll your first layer of petals on the stem. Allow the other layers to flare out slightly. Keep adding petals until you have reached your desired fullness.
8. Secure the rose on the stem with a small piece of tape under the stem. Using thin strips of duct tape approximately about an inch (2.54 cm) long and a centimeter (0.393 cm) wide, attach the rose bud to the duct tape-covered stem. Make sure the strips are of the same color as the sepal -- the bottom part of the bud.
8. Secure the rose on the stem with a small piece of tape under the stem. Using thin strips of duct tape approximately about an inch (2.54 cm) long and a centimeter (0.393 cm) wide, attach the rose bud to the duct tape-covered stem. Make sure the strips are of the same color as the sepal — the bottom part of the bud.

For a great selection of colored duct tape, metallic duct tape, camo duct tape, and even glow-in-the-dark duct tape, check out jmcremps.com. Be sure to check out our duct tape wallet kit for another fun and functional craft that comes with everything you need to get started. To find more exciting ways to use duct tape, check out our e-book series called Warfare by Duct Tape.  The easy-to-follow instructions will allow any creative kid (or adult) to create swords, armor, shields, and more!

The instructional portion of this article was provided by wikihow, a wiki building the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make a Duct Tape Rose. Content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons License.

 

 

 

 

At Home Science Experiment for Kids – How to Make a Cloud in Bottle!

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Who needs to look up in the sky to gaze at the cloud formations when you can make your own cloud that you can hold in your hand.  All you need is a plastic soda or water bottle and a few common household items. Try this easy at-home science experiment and create your own cloud in a bottle.  It’s easy, fun, and educational.

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1. Assemble your supplies. Have your supplies on hand before you start on this experiment. You will need:

  • Plastic bottle with a cap: A 2-liter soda bottle is ideal for this experiment. Make sure to remove the label from the plastic bottle. Then you will be able to see the clouds when they form inside the bottle. It is also best to choose a clear bottle.
  • Matches
  • Water

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2. Pour hot water into the bottle. Use hot water from the tap. Pour in enough water to cover the bottom of the bottle (about 2 centimeters).

  • Don’t use boiling water in a plastic bottle. The plastic might warp and the experiment won’t work. The water should be hot, though. Try for about 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Swirl around the water a bit to warm up the sides of the bottle.

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3.  Strike a match. Blow it out after a few full seconds. Make sure an adult is assisting you with this step.

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4.  Toss the burned match into the bottle. Tilt the bottle with one hand and insert head of the match into the top of the bottle. Let the smoke from the match fill the bottle. , where it will seem to disappear. Discard the match.

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5. Screw the cap onto the bottle. Grip the neck of the bottle so that you do not squeeze the sides before the cap is screwed in completely. This prevents any smoke or air from escaping.

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6.  Squeeze the sides of the bottle hard. Do this three or four times. Wait a few seconds then squeeze the bottle again, this time holding the squeeze longer before releasing.

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7. Look at the formation of fog in the bottle. You should see your very own cloud there! Putting pressure on the bottle’s sides forces the water particles to compress. When you let go of the sides of the bottle, the air expands, decreasing the temperature. When the air cools, the particles can stick together a little more easily, which causes them to clump into little tiny droplets around the smoke molecules.

This mimics the process of clouds forming in the sky. Clouds in the sky are made up of water droplets that have clung to tiny particles of dust, smoke, ash, or salt.

Science Experiment Tips

  • Experiment with how many times and how hard you squeeze the bottle.
  • If you do not have matches, you can use a lighter and a piece of paper or an incense stick to make the smoke that you need.
  • Experiment with adding a few drops of rubbing alcohol to the water (distilled liquor also works) to make a more visible cloud.
  • Use adult supervision when lighting and handling the match if you’re a child.

For more fun experiments, visit jmcremps.com science department where you’ll find all kinds of science experiments, science kits, and science books.

The instructional portion of this article was provided by wikiHow, a wiki building the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make a Cloud in a Bottle.  Content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons License.

The Ultimate Hot Cocoa Bar for Kids

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The next time your kids have friends over to play outside this winter treat them (and yourself) to the Ultimate Hot Cocoa Bar.  It’s the ideal way to warm them up when they come in with frosty noses and cold toeses.  Plus you can use the lure of hot cocoa as incentive to make sure all of the hockey sticks, sleds and shovels are put away where they belong. Trust us, you’ll win Mom-of-the-Year honors for this one!

What you need for the hot cocoa:
1 c. cocoa powder
1 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp cornstarch
pinch salt
6 c. milk
2 c. milk chocolate chips (about 12 ounces)

What you need for the toppings:
Here is where you can be creative. Use whatever you have on hand or think would be a great addition to hot cocoa. Some things to try are: Whip cream, cinnamon sticks, candied orange zest, caramel, whipped cream, marshmallows, mint chocolate bars, shaved chocolate, Nutella, peppermints, chocolate candies, candy canes, sprinkles and (if you’re brave) cayenne pepper powder.

What you do:
Whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch and salt in a saucepan (one with a spout if you have one). Make sure to mix it really well. Whisk the milk in slowly, you don’t want any lumps. Add the vanilla seeds and pod. Place over medium heat and bring to a slight simmer. Cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.

Remove the vanilla bean and stir in the milk chocolate morsels until melted. Keep warm until serving.

Cocoa Bar Setup: Arrange or display all the various flavorings your hot cocoa lovers will enjoy. If you know they will want to try multiple combinations, have espresso cups available, so the hot cocoa will last longer and they won’t get too full too fast.

You can watch the video of how easy and fun it is here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/kid-friendly-hot-cocoa-bar-0174965.embed.html

Recipe courtesy of: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-thornton/hot-cocoa-bar-recipe.html?oc=linkback

How to Make a Kid-Friendly Gingerbread House Using Graham Crackers

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At JM Cremp’s, we love Gingerbread Houses, they’re a Christmas tradition the whole family can make together. Instead of spending hours making gingerbread, you can make gingerbread houses using graham crackers to save yourself both effort and time during a busy season. Display your houses on your table or in a decorative corner for Christmas Day.

What you need:

  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 box powdered sugar
  • 1 box graham crackers
  • miscellaneous candies for decoration
  1.  Separate your Christmas candies into bowls. This step saves the hassle of opening bags of candy with sticky fingers later.
  2. Place an aluminum pie tin upside down in front of you.
  3. Combine the egg whites and lemon juice in a large bowl to make royal icing.Add powdered sugar 2 tablespoons at a time and blend the mixture with a mixer until the icing has the consistency of stiff peanut butter. The icing will secure the graham cracker walls of the house and stick the candy decorations to the surface.
  4. Place large spoonfuls of the royal icing into quart-size zipped style freezer bags. Avoid regular thickness sandwich bags because the plastic is too thin and will not hold up to the punishment of being used as a pastry tube. Approximately 1 cup of icing each bag is enough. Make sure that each gingerbread artist has his or her own bag of icing.  Seal the bag.
  5. Count out six whole, uncracked, unseparated, unbroken crackers. Set four of them aside to form the roof and the two long sides of your house.
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  6. Cut the two remaining cracker sheets to form end gable pieces. Use a gentle “sawing” motion with a serrated knife. Use the short end of a cracker to measure the angled line from the center of the long side to the centerline of the cracker.
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  7. Squeeze icing along the edges of a gable end and 1 whole graham cracker.
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  8. Place the long edge of the wall cracker vertical to the base edge of the gable end cracker. Stick the side edge of the gable end cracker to the bead of icing on the flat side of the wall cracker. The walls should hold each other up.
  9. Add the other gable end and wall in the same manner. Use a bead of icing along the bottom to stick the pieces to the pie tin. Also, use a bead of icing where the two walls will join at the corners.
  10. Add the roof crackers in the same manner as the wall crackers, but pipe the icing on the flat of the roof, not on the edges. Then, stick the flat of the roof to the top edges of the gable ends and walls. Allow the icing to set for 15 to 20 minutes before handling the house again. If you place candies on it too quickly, you risk collapsing the house.
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  11. Line the roof with icing where you want to add shingles.
  12. Add the shingles using your chosen candies.  You can also use cereal for shingles.
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  13. Use your imagination and decorate the entire house whatever way you like.  Be creative and have fun!
 The instructional portion of this article was provided by wikiHow, a wiki building the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make A Gingerbread House Using Graham Crackers.  Content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons License.