Widdlykinks.com kids' activities article

We all understand the pressures of keeping the kids happy and fulfilled in an ever-changing world. There always appears to be some new game, toy, product or fad item that pops up - just after you bought the last one and costs twice as much. We all know that kids love new stuff but sometimes doing something that doesn't cost the earth but might take a little more time can be worth a go.

Trying to find a balance in kids' activities is most definitely the way forward so Widdlykinks.com is here to give you some great ideas to keep the kids entertained and that you won't feel in your pocket!

Life Size Portrait

Use either an old roll of wallpaper or a plain paper tablecloth for this one. Get one of the kids to lie down on the paper and either draw round them yourself or ask another kid to do it. The kids can then colour in the outline. They can even glue and stick on hair and shoelaces if you’re feeling adventurous. It is probably best to not to cut out the portrait until they are finished colouring it in and decorating it.

OR

Homemade Lightning

You will need:

• Modelling clay
• Large metal paper clips
• Inflated balloon
• Woolly sweater

What to do:

1. The first step is to create a monster - literally - out of clay. Any shape of creature will do but just be sure to insert paper clips somewhere into its body - the side of the neck look is particularly effective!
2. Take your "monster" - and your lab assistants - into a darkened room or cupboard and rub an inflated balloon against a piece of wool for 30 seconds.
3. Hold it close to, but not touching, the paper clip and watch the spark jump between the balloon and the paper clip – magic!

Why this works:

All that rubbing causes some electrons from the wool to collect on the balloon giving it a negative charge. Holding the negative balloon near the neutral paper clip causes the electrons in the clip to move away - the two negative forces repel - leaving the metal surface with a positive charge. When the charge is great enough, the air between the balloon and the clip becomes charged too, creating a path where the electrons can move and so letting the sparks fly.

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