This activity is designed to serve as an introduction to polymer chemistry. Does it sound fancy? Have no fear – you’ll be using the material found inside of a baby’s diaper!What You Need:❑ Absorbent diaper❑ 1 gallon zip-closing plastic bag❑ Small plastic cups❑ Food colouring❑ Plastic tablespoon measure❑ Scissors❑ Safety goggles (optional)Caution: the powdered chemical […]

When is a vase just a vase and when is it art? Can it ever be both? In ancient Greece, vases were not only utilitarian but they were also visual masterpieces. Decorating a vase in the style of the ancient Greek artists isn’t difficult at all; all you need are a few basic materials and

Birthdays, holidays, graduations, interviews-the list of momentous occasions that gifts go along with is huge. After the party and presents, there’s just one more thing your child needs to address: thank-you notes. A healthy show of gratitude is a good way to put a smile on someone’s face, and there’s something extra special about handwritten

Mary Cassatt is an American impressionist painter who focused her work on the relationships between mothers and children. Not only is her work touching and inspiring, but also her life was as well. She overcame many obstacles in order to pursue a career as an artist-including the misconception that women’s jobs were strictly inside the

Yearbooks are great mementos, but they’re expensive and can’t be carried around in your wallet or back pocket. If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to remember your friends, a themed photo shoot is the way to go. Invite everyone over for a fancy dress get-together full of food, fun and some good-natured

Do you want to get your bookworm interested in science? Try encouraging your teen to learn how to write science fiction! This genre of literature is not only great for thinking about the larger issues behind scientific progress, like technology and humanity, but also it makes great material for creative writing. What You Need:❑ Book

Encourage your child to get involved in the community and sharpen his writing skills by penning an editorial for the local paper. He’ll get to play reporter for a day as he writes persuasively about a local issue that concerns or interests him. This is a fun way to introduce your child to professional writing

Love is in the air, and there’s no time like Valentine’s Day for your high schooler to learn about the most romantic poetic form: the sonnet! Invented by the 13th century Italians and popularized by English poets in the 16th century, the sonnet provided William Shakespeare the structure for his most enduring poetic achievements, dealing

Does your teen wish she could indulge in a day at the spa but doesn’t quite have the budget for it? No problem-with this quick and sweet exfoliating scrub, you and your child can enjoy the benefits of a day at the spa without ever leaving your kitchen! This activity offers a great chance to

Making a batch of this tasty holiday libation will put your child’s understanding of measurements and following step-by-step instructions to the test. Translated, eggnog means, “egg inside a cup,” and its origins are debated. However, it probably comes from a British drink called posset. Posset was made of eggs, hot milk and wine or other

Your child gets an adventure in creative writing with this activity. He’ll pick his own path, paving the way for authorship!What You Need:❑ Paper, pen, pencils, computer❑ Choose Your Own Adventure book(s), or books in a similar formatWhat You Do: First, get your teen acquainted with the style: the Choose Your Own Adventure books trailblazed

Let’s call it “mummy chic” or “rag-tag retro”. Make your fifth grader catch the new (or very, very old) trend of monster-themed jewellery with a bracelet fashioned just like everyone’s favourite bandaged pharaoh.What You Need:❑ Yellow duct tape❑ Scissors❑ Table ❑ Newspapers❑ Fabric scraps❑ Gold confetti❑ GlueWhat You Do:1. Make your child cut strips of

Nuts, bolts, washers and screws aren’t just for building furniture and equipment anymore. Scrap hardware can also be wired together to make punk-style jewellery in just a few simple steps. Your child can let his own personal style shine with a unique necklace or bracelet, and he’ll be helping out the environment at the same

Do you want a graduation memento that you can actually use instead of having it just sit on a shelf? Creating a signature graduation keepsake plate is an inexpensive and easy way to make a memento that requires little-to-no effort on your part. When it’s completed, you’ll be left with an item that you can

The zombie apocalypse may not be imminent, but lunchtime always is. Help your high schooler pack his lunch in style with a recycled show box redesigned as a zombie survival kit.What You Need:❑ Shoe box❑ Yellow duct tape❑ Permanent marker❑ Red construction paper❑ Green construction paper❑ Brown paper grocery bag❑ Small plastic containers❑ Glue❑ Purple