Air Bags Are Fun? What?

About a month ago I began making and field testing exploration bags for three year old children (I have two three years old kids in the family).  The success of a particular exploration bag is determined by 1 its ability to  introduce or extend knowledge of a concept and 2. its actual "fun" quotient.

Exploration bags designed and used with thoughtful planning, should also informally teach the scientific method.  Of course, that assumes that the adults involved have reviewed and remastered the process themselves in order to present the process gracefully and without error.

The first, one that I call the Air Bag, is complete and has been successfully field tested by three year old Grandson, Linus.

Air Bag Contents: 

1 Book, Air Is All Book Around You (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science)

This book should take at least a couple of days to complete when you have lots of discussion and do the experiments.  Take your time, it's not a race.

AIR ACTIVITIES

2 Squeeze Planes

Linus worked with these little rockets for hours throughout the days we were visiting. Getting enough air pressure behind the rocket to make it fly was a challenge but not a frustration for three year old Linus.  He worked at it and solved the problem of the effective squeeze.  The amount air pressure applied determines the height or distance of the flight. 

1 bubble blower

Linus thought he'd gone to heaven with this wonderful toy.  He still doesn't quite get where to hold this bubbler to allow the wings to spin; but the complete ease with which he was able to blow a multitude of bubbles at a time completely delighted him.

There is a plethora of other possibilities for additional air based activities, blowticklers, simple toy boats with sails, penny whistles, to name a few.

Balloons, which at first flush seemed to be logical inclusions, don't make the cut because they are difficult for a young child to inflate independently without significant frustration.

Return Of the Fling Shot Monkeys

It's so good to have new ideas to pass on to those who read this blog. I endured an idea block for a couple of months. It's a bit like having a cold. The only thing good about it is how you feel after it's over.

I have a report from the field. Nancy, a beloved friend from Toledo, purchased for herself and gave away the Screaming Flying Monkeys mentioned in Grandmama's Tree House around Christmas. She didn't actually give them to "children" in the size and age sense of the word. They were shared with children of spirit, blue grass players, to be specific. Apparently ensuing evenings were spent in breathtaking hilarity.

Think about getting some for yourself if your grandchildren aren't yet five years old.

Grandmama's Secret to Success

Dear innocent grandparents, I have terrible news for you. If you are not on top of your game, there will come a day when your beloved grandchildren will balk at visiting you because they will find you boring. So, I’m going to let you in on a little secret that will preserve your place as the most magical person in your grandchildren’s lives. 

The big secret is, “drop cloths.  In order to make sure your place is a refuge from the tedious for your grandchildren, you need at least two 12X15 sturdy canvass drop cloths.   You may find this secret, well, mmm, pedestrian; but I promise that it will make an enormous difference in your relationship with grandchildren who are 3 years old and up.  Please suspend your instinct for sarcasm and follow me.

My Formal Dining Room Table Before Preparing for Children

 I have a very formal, 19th century dining room with silk and wool rugs that I use as a craft and activities room for neighborhood children and grandchildren.

Easy to Find, Sturdy Canvass Drop Cloths

Here’s how it works.  When the grandchildren want to ice the Christmas cookies, stir up the molasses for gingerbread, finger paint, make model airplanes, or make glitter and glue birthday cards, and your most expansive work space is your formal dining room, or your library, you will not say “no”, nor will you say “yes” with nervous and terrible anticipation of a spectacular disaster. 

Instead you will get yourself over to Sherwin Williams, buy a couple of top grade canvass drop cloths, cover everything worth keeping, and jump right into the project with childlike delight and abandon.  The drop cloths will preserve your sanity, your carpets, your beautiful wood floors and tables, and most importantly your sense of humor and adventure. Now one would think that Grandmama Harriet was belaboring the obvious, but most grandparents are surprised at the notion of buying drop cloths for child's play and that is why you are reading this blog post from me.

I Love Giving Baby Bug, the Grandchildren Love Getting it.

Since my grandchildren were 1.5 years old, the magazine, Baby Bug has arrived in each of their mail boxes nine months out of the year, a gift from David and I.  Every one of the grandchildren (independent of their parents) LOVES BABY BUG.  The parents love it too but the fact that the children love it is what is most impressive.  You can look through a past copy of this incredible product from Carus Publishing here.

One note, the two March babies are being switched up to Lady Bug, the Carus magazine for 3 to 6 year old children come January 1st.  You can look though a past copy of Lady Bug here.  One of the lovely benefits Carus offers is the ability to switch up to the next magazine when the child is ready without anyone having to purchase a new subscription.

Carus Publishing also publishes Cricket, Cobblestone and many other amazing magazines for children between 6 months and 15 years old.   I'll do a post about Carus Publishing after Christmas because every parent and grandparent should know about them; but while you're visiting to look at Baby Bug or Lady Bug, take a look around their site.