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Desperate times call for desperate measures.  We've had an overabundance of snow days this winter and the kids are actually getting tired of all the days off school.  When they don't want to play outside anymore and cabin fever is setting in, I've had to reach deep into my bag of tricks to keep us all sane and entertained. Here was a little trick that brought lots of laughs (along with a few crumbs)... This trick was from way back in my college days.  My friends and I learned about it somehow, then challenged people every chance we got.  In all the times we presented the challenge, we never had anyone who was able to do it (and we won tons of free meals and free drinks in the process!). You most likely have the supplies on hand, a box of saltine crackers (salted, not unsalted), a timer, and some willing participants. The challenge is simple... all you have to do is eat (and swallow) the six saltines before the minute timer goes off without getting a drink of water....

For my son's 8th Birthday, I hosted a Super Science Party here at the house.  We had a few cousins and a few friends, making 13 kids all together (ranging in age from 2 to almost 10).  While it got quite loud at times and a bit crazy, everyone seemed to have a blast!  Plus, even though I had a decent amount of prep work getting everything set up, it only cost  around $150 for everything (including food for 24 people). Here's a summary of the day's events...   Setting up our "lab"...  A small welcome sign instructing guests to pick up safety goggles, a magnifying glass, science notebook and lab coat.  I ordered the safety goggles from HERE on Amazon and they helped the kids feel like "real" scientists! I also made a science notebook for each kid with all of the experiments we would be doing at the party (and a few more they could take home). I included a list of supplies, the directions, a spot for note taking and the science behind each experiment. I ...

Who would have thought you could do such a colorful science experiment with milk?  We had fun at our Super Science Party adding a "secret substance" that would turn a tray full of milk and food coloring into a swirling symphony of colors! Here's what you need: milk (whole or half and half ~ skim won't work) tray or shallow bowl food coloring cotton swabs liquid dish soap (Dawn works well) Here's what to do: Pour some milk into your tray.  You'll want it at least 1/4" deep. Add several drops of food coloring near the center of the tray. Dip a cotton swab into the color (don't stir it, just dip!).  Nothing really happens. Now, dip your cotton swab into your liquid dish soap and then dip back into your milk.  (again, don't stir, just dip it in and hold it in place for a few seconds!).  Watch how the colors "jump" away from the soap, and then begin swirling around on their own!   Look at all the fun we had at the party. Here's the scien...

This simple, yet exciting, experiment was the favorite of many of the kids at our Super Science Party .  It's a fun twist on the classic vinegar and baking soda reaction that I found HERE at Steve Spangler science! Here's what you need: sandwich-sized ziploc bag (I used a generic brand and it worked fine!) 1/4 cup warm water 1/2 cup vinegar 1 tbsp. baking soda toilet paper Here's what to do:  (It's helpful to have two people working together on this) Tear off a square or two of toilet paper and put a tablespoon of baking soda in the middle.  Twist or fold the toilet paper around the pile of baking soda making a small packet. Next, open your sandwich bag and pour in 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup warm water. Zip the bag closed, but not all the way.  You'll want a small opening just large enough to drop in the packet of baking soda. Move the experiment to the sink or outside!  Put the baking soda packet into the bag and then quickly zip it all the way closed.  ...

We did this awesome Foaming Science Experiment (from Science Bob) at my son's Super Science Birthday Party and it was a HUGE hit!  Mix together a few ingredients and you get an amazing eruption of thick, bubbly foam!  It does require a trip to a beauty supply store to pick up some extra strong hydrogen peroxide (or you can order it HERE on Amazon ) , but it's absolutely worth it. It almost looks like toothpaste for an elephant, doesn't it? Here's what you'll need: 1/2 cup 6% hydrogen peroxide (sold in beauty supply stores or online as 20 Volume Clear Developer ) 2 tsp. yeast (1 packet) 3 tbsp. warm water dish detergent food coloring (optional) empty 16oz plastic bottle  funnel safety goggles tray or container to catch the foaming fun Here's what to do: Pour 1/2 cup of the peroxide into the empty water bottle (Hydrogen peroxide can irritate skin and eyes, so make sure you protect your eyes and skin and let a grown up do the pouring.) Add about 8 drops of food...

For the past few months, I kept reading about the amazing results you get by sticking a bar of Ivory Soap in the microwave.  Then just a couple weeks ago, I saw it here and I knew I wanted to try it here with my kids.   Let me tell you, if you don't have any Ivory soap in the house, pick it up on your next shopping trip, because this is what you'll get... Pretty cool, isn't it?  And it's so super easy.  Just pop your soap in the microwave (it'll only work with Ivory) , put it on high for about 2 minutes and watch it expand like crazy. (Note:  Different microwaves may be stronger than others.  Your soap may be finished expanding sooner, just watch it carefully ) Just heed my warning, though.  I didn't go back to reread the post where it directed you to cut your soap into pieces first.  I popped the whole thing in, then had to push my oohing and ahhing kids aside before the growing blob completely filled my small microwave! She loved it! Be ca...