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Raina Kennedy

Inspire, Enrich, Create

Remodeling kids playroom- step by step.

5/28/2014

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Inspired by Pinterest, here's what I plan to do with the window. This will be our science lab. I'll have test tubes and equipment stored along the window sill
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When you walk in, you're on the stage. I'll use a curved shower rod to create a curtain around the door. This will be our theater. Directly across will be the vetrenarian clinic-equiped with small cages on the wall


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Dr. Seuss inspired clubhouse

5/15/2014

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I received this used kid craft clubhouse as a gift from a friend. I just planned to paint it and fix it up a little but once I put on the red and white stripe drapes, the Seuss house was born. Kids houses should be fun and inspiring ;)

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I added these fun test tube flower pots.

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DIY Pendulum For Kid Play

4/7/2014

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Pendulum Play is excellent for learning cause and effect, physics, spatial reasoning, experimenting with weight and size, language, vocabulary and teaches kids how to work together.  I made this pendulum out of PVC pipes, string and tennis balls.  After the initial excitement of knocking blocks down, the kids began experimenting with the the limitations of the ball and began building their towers more strategically.  This is a great way for kids to learn through play!  Very easy set up!
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DIY: Windowsill Test Tube Station For Kids Playroom

2/26/2014

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Here's a fun way to turn your windowsill into a Science Lab Station for your kids playroom.  I drilled holes into a piece of wood that were the same diameter as the test tubes.  I suspended the slat of wood by cutting down two small slats to support it on each side of the windowsill frame.  Now the kids have a dedicated area for all their science experiments.  As a bonus, it adds to the decor of the room!  More importantly, it offers spontaneous play.  Instead of having the test tubes stored in cabinets, they are out in plain sight and inspire the kids daily to create fun concoctions.
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DIY: X-Ray viewing station for Kids Playroom

2/10/2014

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Our Vet clinic has become such a fun play area for the kids.  I found these amazing x-rays online.  The company we purchased them from is Roylco.  They have so many great science tools and activities for kid play there.  I made the x-ray station out of an ikea best shelf.
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Mad Scientist Birthday Party

12/24/2013

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Ice Melt Activity

This was one of the biggest hit of the party!  The kids kept coming back to the sensory table to see if the ice melted.  During each visit certain toys began to emerge from the ice.  It became a great sensory and texture exploring activity. They were totally fascinated by it!  As the party came to a close, I realized the ice wasn't melting fast enough for them to retrieve their favors.  I gave the kids cups and squirt bottles filled with water to melt the ice faster.   Another great science experiment!  I would totally recommend this activity for parties or when ever.  
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Fossil Imprints: Failed Recipe

11/18/2013

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During a recent hike with the kids, I had them collect items from the trail so we could make fossil imprints when we got home.  The recipe I tried really wasn't good (2 cups flour, 1/2 cup salt and 3/4 water).  I'd love to try this again but with a better recipe.  The hunt is on!  If you have a recipe, please share :)
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Flubber Fun

11/11/2013

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Click Here For Our Flubber Recipe

Flubber Attack!

The kids have fun escaping from the drooping flubber.  We set the game up in our playroom.  The kids crawled under the table and tried to make it out without being attacked by the drooping flubber.
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Flubber Soup

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Flubber Soup is an all time favorite for these guys. They love to pretend cook and this substance is great for filling pots and pans- the flubber oozes out for all sides. We add plastic bugs, letters and numbers to create the soup.
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My Favorite Flubber Recipe

11/11/2013

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How to Make Flubber at Home: The Ingredients 3 cups Warm Water 2 cups Elmer’s White Glue Liquid Water Color (food coloring stains) 20 Mule Team Borax, available in the grocery store laundry section. (Please see NOTES section below for safety information about Borax.) Glitter (optional) White Vinegar (for cleaning) The Steps In a large container combine and mix: 1 ½ cups very warm water 2 cups Elmers white glue A few drops of water color and/or glitter if using clear glue Make sure this combination is completely mixed In a small container combine and mix: 1 1/3 cups very warm water 2 level tsp 20 Mule Team Borax. Adults, please do this step. (Please see NOTES section below for safety information about Borax.) Make sure the Borax is completely dissolved. Combine the glue and borax mixtures: Mix well using your hands until all the liquid is absorbed. You may need to squish, mix, and break up the flubber to get it fully combined. Store the flubber in a plastic, air-tight container at room temperature. For best results, measure precisely and mix well as noted above. Notes About Saftey Adults, please keep the box of powdered borax out of the reach of children. If kept in an airtight container, the Flubber will keep for up to 2 weeks. Vinegar dissolves Flubber from carpet, hair, furniture, clothes, and pets. This recipe makes enough Flubber for six children.
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Racing Raisins Science Experiment for kids

11/11/2013

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The kids used funnels to pour seltzer soda into each test tube. Then they lowered one raisin into each tube. The kids had fun watching on and routing for the raisin that made it to the top first. This was an active play that lasted 30 minutes
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Spring Activities for Toddlers

11/6/2013

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Bug Week

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For bug week, we re-used some easter grass and buried bugs. We gave the kids some fun magnifying glasses and bug containers to collect their findings. Afterward, we hid the bugs around the house and had the kids search for them.
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This was fun for the younger toddlers too.
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The kids swatting flies with fly swatters. A great ceiling activity!
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We made some black playdough and had the kids make spiders for art today. Here's George and mom acting scared. This spider was George's creation!

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Deals I Found

11/2/2013

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Check out the deal you get with Oriental Trading.  for .51 more you get 4 trays instead of 1.  Even better the 4 trays are color suited, as a second function you them for color sorting activities.  Oriental has the better buy
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$15.99 $14.99 On Amazon
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Super Science Test Tubes With Trays IN-59/1025 $16.50 1 Set(s) Oriental Trading
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Teaching Sounds: Learn through play

11/1/2013

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Teaching sounds can be fun with these vienna sausage cans.  
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Only .50 cents each Remove Sausages, label, rinse and let dry .
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Combine 2 of the cans together with duck tape. Make sure to insert items that will sound different when shaken. We used corn, pennies, sand and cotton balls. Make 2 of the same sounding ones so kids can try to match their sound with another kid. This was a fun game for us. You can also teach about quantities through sound. Put 1 penny, then 2 pennies, then 5 etc. Have the kids listen to see which container has more/less
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Bonus- your little ones will enjoy it too.
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Magnet Fishing

11/1/2013

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Fishing for paper clips
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Fishing for pipe cleaners
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Fishing for magnetic letters
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This was my favorite fish. It gave us good letter learning time. We talked a lot about things named with each letter too. "J" is for John, Jack, Jump. This one lasted the longest.
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Also great for younger toddlers. She understood exactly what to do and loved it.
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So excited about her catch!
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Apple Playdate: Learn through Play

10/29/2013

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Our Apple Tree. The kids will pick apples during their dramatic apple stand pla
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Our Apple chute. The kids will take turns dropping apples into the basket while counting each apple.  The tunnels are made of clear ketchup bottles and black electric tape with magnets fastened to the back.

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Our apple stand came out so good! Its a lemonade stand converted for the playdate! It set the stage for some great dramatic play of buying and selling apples.


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Dinosaur Playdate: Learn through Play

10/29/2013

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Start with a fun set up displaying any dinosaurs you have
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As a sensory activity- bring out the play dough and have the kids make dino foot prints

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Teach the kids about eggs and how some dinosaurs may have come from eggs.  I cracked a few shells prior and washed them out knowing the kids would want to feel the shells.


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Learn through Play: Pumpkins

10/29/2013

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Get a big pumpkin, several little pumpkins, tie string to a magnet and then tie to a wooden dowel.  And let the pumpkin fishing begin!


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Fun ways to teach about the seasons

10/29/2013

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We placed items that absorb and repel water to teach the need for rain gear in spring

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A fun demonstration of rain for spring

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Our season buckets. Here the kids learn about the items associated with each season.


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Fire Safety- learn through Play

10/28/2013

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As a science activity- we used glass jars to teach children about fire and how it needs oxygen.  Here we illustrate how fire burns without the lid and how it blows out once the lid covers the jar.
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Here the kids watch closely as the fire goes out once the lid is placed.
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Dancing Raisins!  Science Experiment

10/27/2013

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Get a clear cup, pour in club soda and let the kids insert the raisins.  In seconds, they start to fizzle and then dance around the cup.  Make sure you have plenty of raisins ;)  they're sure to want a dancing party!  To build on fine motor skills I gave the kids tongs so they can catch the raisins when they reached the top.

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Fun Science Experiment for Kids- Balloon Bottles!

10/27/2013

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The kids really enjoyed this one.  Pick up four bottles and four balloons.  Put different amounts of vinegar in each bottle and pour different amounts of baking soda in each balloon.  Watch with amazement as the baking soda sprinkles down from the balloon into the bottle.

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    Raina Kennedy

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