“Whiny Wednesdays” is a weekly series that focuses on giving caregivers fun ideas to do locally. The result being that Whiny Days are no more! We are always looking for guest posters for this series, please email us if you’re interested. talk@newburyport-today.com
Little bit of this! Little bit of that!
This is it! The big chore I have been meaning to tackle every ‘spring’ since I moved into this house. Now that we are moving out, there is no time like the present. So here it goes … I am emptying out the pantry. I scan the cupboards to see what I can save and reuse, look quizzically at the unknown products that made it in there, like a can of smoked mussels, and then load down the garbage disposal with items that are waypasted their due date — the jar of jelly from the farm stand (I think) and congealed bag of marshmallows from summers long gone by, both rock solid.
The kids want to “help”, which is just too chaotic for me and just too crazy to let happen. “Awwwe— lets make a fun activity out of this major event,” the teacher in me says. Mr. Rogers and Captain Kangaroo are channeling the good mother in me from some playroom up above. Live in the moment! their mantra is singing. I know this will make the whole project last twice as long as it needs to be but what the heck.
Here are some fun recipes that can make an afternoon of fun for the kids, while at the same time, get rid of the ‘stuff’ for you.
Designs with dry ingredients are as simple as pouring salt, sugar, or oatmeal on a tray. The kids use their fingers to create roads, doodle designs or write their name. Simple fun and can be swept up off the floor if it gets messy.
Painting with Karo Syrup adds a little bling to a basic painting project. You can add food coloring to Karo syrup (I recommend using a paper cup or bowl for easy disposal), or mix poster paints with it. When the kids paint, their masterpieces will dry with a shiny coat. We painted paper plates and created pumpkins (always thinking ahead!!!).
Oobleck is a type of slime that has properties of both liquids and solids. This can be made and used for a few days. I make my Oobleck in a clean cookie sheet or a plastic tray with walls on it. Kids can squish it, squeeze it and fingerpaint in it. This is really cool!
Materials Needed
- 1 1/2 Cup Corn Starch
- 1 cup water
- Food coloring (optional)
Mix the ingredients and allow children to play with the mixture. When its “pushed” together, the mixture will appear dry and solid; as children let go of the mixture, it flows like a smooth liquid.
Dyeing rice or pasta is a fun tactile activity that you can make and store for tabletop play indoors or outdoors. Other ideas would be to string the pasta to make a necklace (be sure you use kind of pasta you can string yarn into) or with some construction paper and glue, you can create a mosaic.
Materials Needed
- 1/4 Cup Rubbing Alcohol
- 1 tablespoon food coloring
- 2 Cups Pasta
- 1 quart Ziploc freezer bag
Pour alcohol and food coloring into a Ziploc bag and mix together. Add dry, uncooked rice or pasta. Mix it all together to coat each piece and then pour out onto a cookie sheet lined with newspaper to dry, for about an hour. Throw it in a tub with a lid and it will be a fun for any rainy day.
All good clean, reusable fun! Enjoy!
