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Time
needed: 15 minutes
Appropriate for ages: 3 and up
WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
- · An empty plastic
bottle from purchased mineral water (or any other empty,
plastic see-through container with a secure cover.) You
can decide if you want a small or a large one. The activity
will work with both.
- Glitter
- Tinsel
- A few marbles or beads that
you don't need
- Blue Food Coloring
- Optional: Colored plastic
sheet or cellophane that can be cut into shapes (can be
purchased in a craft store)
WHAT TO DO:
- Remove the label from the
bottle. If the bottle was not used for water, wash it.
- Fill the bottle halfway with
water.
- Put in a few drops of blue
food coloring, until the water turns a light blue color.
- Put a few marbles or beads
into the bottle.
- Cut tinsel into small pieces.
- Put the pieces of tinsel and
some glitter into the bottle.
- If you have some pieces of
colored plastic or cellophane, then cut out some small shapes.
You can make some fish and add them to the bottle. If you
don't have this material, don't worry.
- Screw the cap on tightly.
Just in case, put some tape around the edges so no water
can come out.
- Have your child turn the bottle
upside down and shake it. Turn it right side up again and
watch what happens with your child.
QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS:
- Why did the water turn blue?
- What happens when you turn
the bottle upside down? Why?
RELATED ACTIVITIES:
- Talk with your child about
what materials you have around the house that you could
add into your "underwater wonderland." In order
to help decide, place the objects your child thinks of into
a bowl of water and see what happens. Discuss why items
that are plastic will work and items that are paper will
not
.
- You can do the same activity
with different colors of food coloring. I like to start
with blue, since it's the color of the sky and water, but
the activity works with all colors. Let your child choose
a different color and compare the two bottles. Ask her which
one looks prettier and which she likes best.
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