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.