Make It – RWCParks BLOG

Sunshine On A Stick. Make it!

This week, we are are focusing all of our efforts on ways to COOL OFF! It’s hot out there, folks! So, today, let’s make a little cool treat!

Fun side note. When our team sent this home project over, I couldn’t help but recall this 80’s Saturday morning PSA from Time-for-Timer. Enjoy the flashback below!

Don’t worry, we also have our usual photo tutorial for you. These clear photo tutorials are meant to make it easier for your kids to follow directions with less assistance from you :-).

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Cling Wrap
Tooth Picks
Juice (if you only have juice boxes, that works too!)
Scissors
Ice Cube Tray
Fruity Additon-*If you have strawberries you could cut up small pieces to add as well.Yum!

STEP 1: (If you only have Juice Boxes)

Cut the juice box so it is easier to pour.

STEP 2:

Fill the ice cube tray with your juice.

STEP 3:

Wrap your tray in Cling Wrap.

STEP 4:

Put toothpicks in the middle of each tray (the Cling Wrap will hold them up). Place tray of treats in freezer to freeze for a few hours.

Step 5:

Eat and enjoy!

STAY COOL, EVERYONE!

Rockin’ Rainstick. Make it!

This is a cool instrument to round out your home band! Also, a great use for your papertowl and toilet paper tubes!

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Cardboard Papertowel Tube
Paint & Paintbrush (You can use markers instead)
Scissors
Tape
Rice

STEP 1:

Paint the paper towel tube and let it dry.

STEP 2:

Add 1/4 cup of rice.

STEP 3:

Cut Circle out of cardboard and tape across ends. Enjoy the soothing sounds of your rockin’ rainstick! You can make them in all different sizes and decorate them however you want!

Musical Glasses. Make it!

This is a super easy activity kids can do at home and make music at the same time!

MATERIALS NEEDED

Four glasses (or more- up to you!)
Water
Food coloring
Spoon

STEP 1:

Pour water into each of the glasses

STEP 2:

Drop up to 5 drops of food coloring in each cup of water. You can use different colors or all the same color.

STEP 3:

You are ready to play music! Notice how the sounds change depending on how full the glasses are.

BONUS STEP:

And if you really want to step up your musical glass playing game, check out this website for some simple song instructions!

Make it! Click Clack Castanets

It’s time to snap your fingers and clap to the beat! Our virtual recreation is all about music this week. Join us as we create musical instruments and activities that will get you movin’, shakin’, and clappin.’ Don’t miss the beat!

MATERIALS NEEDED

Piece of cardboard (A cereal box works great) Approx. 8” by 4”
Tape
Permanent Markers
Scissors
Glue Stick
4 Bottlecaps
4 Googly Eyes (You may also draw these on with a marker)

Step 1:

Cut the piece of cardboard in half.

Step 2:

Fold pieces of cardboard in half.

Step 3:

Tape the bottlecaps to the cardboard.

Step 4:

Decorate with pens and attach eyeballs. Enjoy the click-clack of your castanets!

DIY Marble Run. Make it!

Since 2012, we have been obsessed with Caine’s Arcade. If you remember, Caine Monroy was the young kid who transformed his Dad’s auto parts store into an incredible cardboard arcade! Boredom creates opportunity, and Caine and his imagination did something that would change his life forever. Caine may be applying to colleges now, but the innovation hasn’t stopped as he follows his dream of becoming a game-maker. He is also a Junior Board Member on Imagination.org, a non-profit founded by LA-based filmmaker Nirvan Mullik who was the one who stumbled across Caine while buying a part for his car and the rest is history!

Click here to see the original 9-minute movie. Check out the lesser know Part 2 video below for some additional cardboard inspiration!

Now that we have you inspired, here’s a fun project! If you don’t have enough supplies, don’t sweat it, just let your imagination run wild and create a blueprint while you take some time to collect some important recycled materials– like toilet paper rolls!

Make your own marble run using recyclables!

MATERIALS NEEDED

Toilet paper rolls
Paper towel rolls
Painters tape
Scissors
Bowl or basket
Marbles or small ball

STEP 1:

Cut some of the paper towel rolls in half. You can use these to create the connecting ramps. Use the uncut rolls for steeper drops so your marble or ball doesn’t fly out.

STEP 2:

Tape each roll to the wall creating a continuous path. Make sure that you provide enough downslope so that a ball can roll without getting stuck on a flat part.

STEP 3:

Place bowl or basket at the bottom of the maze.

STEP 4:

Drop a ball or marble from the top and watch it travel through the maze! See how small changes can either speed things up or slow things down. Which materials roll faster? Why do you think that is?

Share your mazes with us! Email us recreation@redwoodcity.org, or tag us on social media! #KeepBusyRedwoodCity

Fish Catch! Game on!

This week, we are focusing on playing some new games that you can make yourself, AT HOME! It’s a craft AND a game! Also, this one you can play on your own, challenge a sibling, or even a friend online to see how many catches you can do in a row! All you need is a few simple supplies, patience, and practice to catch that fish!

MATERIALS NEEDED

1 Plastic water, soda, or drink container.
Permanent markers
Scissors
Tape
1 Cork (If you don’t have 1 cork you can use a piece of paper made into a ball)
String

STEP 1:

Cut your bottle in 1/2 using the scissors. Ask an adult if you need help on this part.

STEP 2:

Using your markers, color a design on your bottle and on your cork.

Step 3:

Put some of the string inside the water container and have some sticking out. Twist the cap on to keep the string inside. Tape the cork onto the end of the string.

Step 4:

You are ready to play!

Hold the cap area of the bottle and try to “catch the fish.” This will take some patience and practice on your part. You can do it! It can be easier if your string is shorter, and more challenging if your string is longer.

How many catches in a row did you get?

Make It! Germbusters! Clean Hands Sensory Bag

Scrub scrub scrub those germs away!

The object is for kids is to “clean their hands” by scrubbing the beads away. This sensory bag is also soothing to touch and can be a great stress reliever!

MATERIALS NEEDED

1 Gallon Size, Freezer Grade Zip Bag
2 Cups Clear Hair Gel
20-25 Beads (You can use rice, small pasta, or beans too!)
1 Permanent Marker
Masking Tape
Old Toothbrush (You can use a paintbrush or small comb too!)

STEP 1

Place your hands in the middle of the bag and outline using a permanent marker.

STEP 2

Open the bag and fill it with 2 cups of hair gel.

STEP 3

Add in beads.

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STEP 4

Turn the bag over so that the marker side is facing down.

STEP 5

Push all of the beads inside the hands. Hand your little one a toothbrush and have them “clean the hands” by srubbing and pushing the beads outside the hands

Talk about the importance of regular handwashing. There are some great resources for families of young children on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website.

Nature Exploration Bottles – Move It & Make It

Cap off nature week with a fun bottle full of items from Mother Nature! See what we did there? Cap off…

Here’s a quick way to combine moving your body with making something interesting while enjoying these beautiful spring days!

MATERIALS NEEDED

Collection of nature items
Empty transparent water bottle – plastic, glass, etc.
Water

STEP 1:

Take a walk around your neighborhood or just go outside into your yard. Collect some nature items that interest you. Be sure that they can fit inside the mouth of a water bottle.

STEP 2:

Place each nature item into your bottle.

STEP 3:

Fill your bottle with water. Cap it off, and enjoy!

Notice over time how things change inside. What happens to each item? What floats? What happens in different temperatures? What changes color first? You can empty and refill them as many times as you like and see how things change!

We’d love to see your Nature Bottles! Email us, tag us on social media, and use the hashtag #keepbusyredwoodcity so we can see your finished products!

Make It! Fruity Pizza!

Who doesn’t love pizza?! Here’s a fun and colorful twist. This is also a great way to introduce new fruits to your child! The more colors and shapes, the better! (And exclamation marks!!!!)

We hope you enjoy making our simple healthier fruit option. You can even make a silly face!

MATERIALS NEEDED

Watermelon and any kind of fruit.
Packaged fruit cups work great too!
Sweet additions can be chocolate chips or marshmallows
Anything you want, really 😉

STEP 1:

Have your parent help you cut one slice of watermelon. Slice bananas and any other fruit.

STEP 2:

Be creative and decorate your fruity pizza.

STEP 3

Enjoy your tasty treat!

Have fun, and please send us a photo, or tag us on Instagram or Facebook with your tasty creation!

#keepbusyredwoodcity

MATERIALS NEEDED:

STEP 1: (If you only have Juice Boxes)

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STEP 4:

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SOME IMPORTANT GUIDELINES

DO YOU LOVE PAINTED ROCKS?

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