45) Happy Face Balloon

Materials: balloon (Use a large balloon and blow it up first to make sure it will inflate easily.) permanent marker, drink bottle, vinegar, baking soda, spoon, funnel

Directions: Blow up the balloon and draw a happy face on it with the marker. Put ½ cup of vinegar in the bottle. Put several spoonfuls of baking soda in the balloon using the funnel. Insert the end of the balloon over the mouth of the bottle. Hold up the balloon so the baking soda falls in the bottle and watch what happens. What made the balloon blow up? Have children draw pictures in sequential order of how this experiment was conducted.

46) Magnetic Mouse

Materials: magnet paper cut in the shape of a little mouse, paper clip, cardboard or paper plate

Directions: Attach a paper clip to the mouse. Place the mouse on top of the cardboard. Slide the magnet under the cardboard to make the mouse move.

Adaptations: Put iron filings, paper clips, or magnetic letters in the sand table. Have children go on a treasure hunt and find the objects with a magnet.

47) What’s Up?

Materials: 2 stalks of celery (with the leafy tops) 2 clear glasses food coloring

Directions: Place the stalks of celery in two glasses of water. Add red food coloring to one cup and blue to the other. Have children predict what they think will happen. Observe for several days.

Adaptations: You can do a similar experiment with white carnations or daffodils. Slit one stalk of celery from the bottom half way up. Put one end in blue water and the other end in red water.

48) Funnel Phone

Materials: 2 plastic funnels 4’ to 8’ of plastic tubing 3/8” thick (available at hardware stores), tape

Directions: Fit each end of the plastic tubing in one of the funnels and tape in place. Have one child hold a funnel to his ear while another child talks into the other funnel. How does sound get from one funnel to the next?

Adaptations: Make individual phones with paper cups, string, and paper clips. Poke holes in the bottom of two cups and thread the string through the holes. Tie a paper clip to the ends of the string. Let children take turns speaking and listening with the “cup phones.”