Easy Summer Science Experiment for Kids

In the mood for something fun and easy that will entertain and educate your children? Check out this simple science experiment, which is perfect for a sunny summer afternoon.

All you need to do is: fill a Ziploc bag with water, seal the bag, and then stick sharp pencils (slowly) through both sides of the bag. My boys were delighted to discover that no water leaks from the bag! (Note: You'll want to hold up the top of the bag so that bag doesn't get wider than the pencils when the water settles at the bottom.)

When my boys were finished, they pulled out the pencils and watched the water squirt out from the holes. It was a fantastic way to cool off on a warm afternoon.

My boys had so much fun, that we decided to finish the day with another classic experiment. We filled a bottle 3/4 full of vinegar, added some baking soda, and quickly capped the bottle with a balloon. My boys loved watching the baking soda/vinegar reaction blow up the balloon.

I love a simple science experiment, don't you? We might have to squeeze in a few more before the boys head back to school.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Road Trip Survival Tips

This summer, our family did something we have never done before. We piled into our mini van, and we drove 1,454 kilometers. As the mother of three very active boys, I was pretty nervous about undertaking this adventure; however, our road trip turned out to a lot of fun. Today, I am sharing some road trip survival tips that really worked for us.

1) Print out a map of the route and set expectations. Let the kids know it is going to be a long drive, ban the question "Are we there yet?", and give the kids frequent updates so that they can track progress on the map.

2) Make the kids comfortable, hydrated and well fed. The kids should be dressed in comfy clothes and surrounded by pillows and blankets. A bin with lots of water and snacks should also be easily accessible.

Snack packs are fun too. Check out all the details here.

3) Wrap a box full of trinkets and treats. When the kids need a distraction, they can unwrap one of the presents (which can include books, treats, games, glow sticks, activity books, silly putty, and gum). 

Gum is great for stretching out the time between snacks.

4) Play car games. Search the internet for road trip game ideas. My boys loved a road trip scavenger hunt that I printed out for them.

5) Play music, listen to audio books, and watch movies. When it comes to boredom busting, electronics can be your best friend. Audio books (which are available at the library) are a fantastic idea because they can entertain the kids AND the driver.

6) Make the road trip part of the vacation. There is no need to make a long drive pure torture. If the kids need a break, stop. A five minute break to run around and stretch will make a road trip much more enjoyable. There are also many interesting sites along highways. e.g. We made a quick stop at the "world's largest covered bridge", and we were glad we did. 

7) Plan stops or stay somewhere overnight. I have discovered that my children are not designed to sit still in a car for more than eight hours, and if your kids are like mine, it may be worth the investment to take a break and spend a night at a hotel. A swim in a pool, a good night's sleep, and a hot breakfast will set you up for success on day two of your journey. (Bonus tip: Switching seats at rest stops is also a fun idea, as it gives everyone a change of scenery.)

I have heard that some people have had success with driving all night, but my boys are not good at sleeping in a car, so I ruled out this option for us. I also feel that getting to a destination with well-rested kids and exhausted parents sounds like a bit of a nightmare.

I am really pleased with how our road trip adventure unfolded, and I would definitely do it again. With a little prep, road trips can be a positive experience and a fantastic way to create childhood memories. 

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (Make sure you pack Ziploc bags. They are great for storing wet bathing suits and come in handy if someone gets car sick. Baby wipes also a fantastic thing to have in the van. They are useful for dirty hands and quick clean up.)

RV IKEA Hack

Recently, my family inherited an RV that had been owned by a couple (rather than a family). The previous owners removed the table and chairs, which made it difficult for our family to have meals and play games. So, to solve this problem, my husband and I came up with an easy and inexpensive IKEA hack for our RV.

We removed the large chair and small table that they had, and we replaced it with a desk, two chairs, and a bench (which all came from IKEA). Here is what we purchased:

For the table, we used the Linnmon desk.

We also purchased two Stefan chairs.

And to finish off our set, we purchased a Hemnes bench.

Now we have a perfect place for our boys and their cousins to eat breakfast, and a fun place to play cards (as a family) on rainy days.

Does your family have an RV? Have you made any modifcations to it? I'd love to hear about your RV upgrades and IKEA hacks!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Circus Crafts... with printable templates

I love a good "theme", and a circus theme is one of my favorites. Recently, I had a fantastic time making some circus crafts and playing dress up with a group of children. Today I am sharing the tutorials and printable templates.

One of my favorite circus crafts is this clown puppet that I designed. Just print the template (you can find here) onto cardstock, color the clown, cut it out, add some googly eyes and a button nose (with glue), and tape a craft stick to the back. Isn't it adorable?

I also designed an adorable elephant puppet. Just print the template (that you can find here) onto cardstock, cut it out (including a hole for the nose), glue on some googly eyes, and tape a craft stick to the backs. The ability for the child to use his or her finger as a trunk makes this circus craft extra special!

It's also easy to transform little ones into clowns with simple paper plate clown collars. All you need to do is: cut the centre out of a paper plate, color it, and cut a slit in the back. I love how easy and inexpensive this craft is, and I guarantee your little ones will love it too!

These circus crafts are perfect for an afternoon of crafting, but they would be wonderful activities for a circus party too! I hope you and your little ones enjoy making these fun circus crafts as much as we did.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Fantastic ICE CREAM Recipes and Ideas

Ice cream is a favorite summertime treat in our home, and it isn’t hard to figure out why this is the case. On a hot summer day, there isn’t anything quite as tasty and refreshing as a cold and creamy scoop of ice cream. Today I am sharing a few fantastic ice cream recipes and ideas.

Brownie Waffles - These are our new family favorites. To bake delicious waffle brownie sundaes: 1) Mix a brownie mix according to package directions plus one egg. 2) Cook the brownie mix in a preheated waffle maker for approximately six minutes. 3) Allow the waffles to cool slightly, and then carefully remove them from the grill. 4) Add strawberries and ice cream, and drizzle with chocolate sauce.

Homemade Ice Cream Sandwich - To make your own ice cream sandwiches, simply scoop slightly softened ice cream between two homemade cookies. Our favorite combination involves chocolate ice cream and soft and chewy ginger molasses cookies. Sandwiches made with chocolate chip cookies and vanilla ice cream are also delicious.

You could also try "dressing up" store bought ice cream sandwiches.

Or these delicious homemade ice cream sandwiches using cookies made from a cake mix - These are "must try". They are easy and delicious!

Ice Cream in a Bag - Making ice cream is another endeavor that the kids are guaranteed to enjoy, and you really don’t need any special equipment. To make ice cream in a bag you’ll need: a big Ziploc bag, a small Ziploc bag, salt, ice, sugar, vanilla and 18% coffee cream. You can find the full recipe for ice cream in a bag here.

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup NO-CHURN Ice Cream - This easy-to-make ice cream has a rich and creamy texture, and it doesn't require any special equipment to make.

DIY Ice Cream Pie - This is a simple "no bake" dessert that is perfect for summer. Kids will love helping to make (and eat!) this one.

Ice Cream for Supper - Each year, my boys and I make a checklist of 50 summer activities, and we work all summer to complete all of the items on our list. The last thing on our list is always a special “Ice Cream for Supper” party, and it is an event that my boys look forward to all summer. I highly recommend giving this fun idea a try!

Aren't these fantastic ideas for enjoying ice cream?

Ice cream really is a fun part of summer (and childhood). Do you have a favorite ice cream recipe or flavour?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)