Magical Linking Chain (the Science of Force)

It doesn't take much persuasion to get kids interested in an after school activity when you preface it by asking, "Wanna learn a magic trick?"

The truth is, this isn't really magic at all. It's science ... but I'll get to that more later.

What You Need
A paper bill
2 thin rubberbands
2 metal paperclips

Prep
Put a rubberband around each end of the bill. Now fold the bill in even thirds, making a z-fold but don't crease the folds. One rubberband should be positioned where the bill doubles-back on itself (i.e. the uncreased folds). Now add paperclips (use the photo as a guide for where to position them).

What to Do
Have your child pull each end of the bill apart, as if to flatten it. Then gently remove the rubberbands to see that they have formed a chain with the two paperclips linked between them. 

Magic?
Nope. The force of pulling the bill and the position of the rubberbands and paper clips causes them to intertwine. Do it slowly and you see it happening!

Like our ball that seemed to defy gravity, this activity also came from Martin Gardner's phenomenal book Smart Science Tricks. It's a gold mine of simple, inexpensive experiments for kids. We've had a blast with it! 

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Shamrock Count & Write Treasure Hunt

As it turns out, treasure hunts are a favorite of BOTH my sons. Our youngest (5 years old) is working on counting, recognizing and associating numerals, and writing numbers. All of those skills are combined in this easy treasure hunt. 

You decide the prize - ours was 10 extra minutes of electronic time (our boys have to earn their time each day so this was a REAL treat).

What You Need

The 6-page PDF of shamrock cards (download mine here)

Cardstock

Tape

Prep

Cut the cards apart and fold them on the dotted line so one side has the shamrocks and the other shows the ready-to-write numerals. Secure shut with glue or tape. The numeral 5 is the starting card. You'll notice that it is the only card that need not be folded. (Note: The cards do not go in numerical order.)

Take all the folded cards and tape them up around the room with the shamrocks facing out.

Play

To start the game, give your child the numeral 5 card and ask that they use the prompts to write it. Start at the suns. End with the moons.

"What number is that?"

"Five."

"Good. Now find the card with FIVE shamrocks."

When they've counted and confirmed they've found the card, have them turn over the card and write the numeral on the back. They'll then search for the card with that number of shamrocks. Play continues until they find the 8-shamrock card to finish.

Note: The six and nine numerals can be easily confused in this game. Remind kids that the red line is the top and the solid blue line is the bottom.

This game was loads of fun! If you want to play over and over, simply cut the cards apart so you can mix and match the front and backs. Laminate and use dry-erase markers so they can be reused again.

Happy numbers hunting!

After School Linky (3-2)

Welcome to the party!

There is so many fun holidays and celebrations coming up. It's great to see how all the linky participants have been combining fun and learning around Dr. Suess' birthday, St. Patrick's Day, Chinese New Year, Black History Month, etc.

Here are just a few of the great activities and ideas shared last year.

 Rainbow Paper at The Science Kiddo

 Dr. Suess Word Family Hats at This Reading Mama

 St. Patrick Day Math Challenge (with a Free Printable) at Planet Smarty Pants

 How to Add with Regrouping Tips & Tricks at Sugar Aunts

 Jack Be Nimble Activity & Free Pack at 3 Dinosaurs

 Creative Group Activity for Kids: Making Monsters at Mama Smiles

Math Fact Islands at Creative Family Fun

Simple Science Experiment: How Much Water is in Snow? at KC Edventures

The After School Linky is cohosted by

Boy Mama Teacher Mama

Mama Smiles

Planet Smarty Pants

Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational

The Educators' Spin on It

The Measured Mom

This Reading Mama

We would love to have you link up your School-Age Post (Ages 5 and up) about your learning week after school including Crafts, Activities, Playtime and Adventures that you are doing to enrich your children's lives after their day at school, home school, or on the weekend!

When linking up, please take a moment to comment on at least one post linked up before yours and grab our after school button to include a link on your post or site! By linking up, you're giving permission for us to share on our After School Pinterest Board and feature an image on our After School Party in the upcoming weeks!

The Ball that Defied Gravity ... or Did it? (Science Experiment)

Even very young kids understand gravity. So when a science experiment seems to defy it, they're mega impressed.

This fun activity wowed my boys. Okay, okay, okay … it kinda wowed me too.

What You Need

Ping-pong ball

2 unsharpened pencils

deck of cards

small book

What to DoKids should separate the deck of cards into two equal piles. Put the piles side-by-side so they're touching.

Take the pencils (eraser end)  and place them on the card piles. The tips of the erasers should almost be touching and as they angle down to the table top, should open up to an inch or slightly larger. Note: We used round pencils. I'd recommend you use traditional pencils (is that a hexagon?).

Ask your child to predict what will happen when the ball is placed at the top (eraser side) of the pencils. They'll tell you the ball will roll down the pencils. They're right.

Now separate the decks of cards and flip the pencils around, so the eraser tips are resting on the table and they open up so the unsharpened ends are resting on the card decks.

Place a small book over the eraser ends to weight them down and hold them in place.
Ask your child what will happen when you place the ball about an inch above the erasers. Will it roll back down and hit the book? They'll say yes, because gravity pulls things down, right?

Now put the ball in place and be astonished. The ball appears to roll up the pencil ramp, defying gravity.

How it Works

While it seems as if the ball defies gravity, truthfully, it doesn't. As the pencils spread apart, the ball slips between them, being pulled by the force of gravity toward the table. It just so happens that the pencils are angled up and so that's the direction the ball rolls as it drops down.

This great activity came from a truly phenomenal book. Smart Science Tricks is packed with simple experiments that seem like magic and use materials you most likely have around your house already. Check it out!

After School Linky (2-23)

Welcome to the party!

Looking for inspiration? Look no further!

Here are some of my favorite ideas from last week's link-up. Enjoy!

14 New Kids' Books About African-American History at A Book Long Enough

 Engineer This: Design and Build a Roller Coaster at Planet Smarty Pants

Green Eggs and Ham Day at Finding the Teachable Moments

Homeschool Unit Study: Make Your Own Video Games at Brain Power Boy

Make a Treasure Hunt to Make Sight Words at Hands On As We Grow

Learning Games to Play with Kids with Weekly Ads at Sparkling Buds

Astronomy for Kids: Moon Journal {free printable} at Buggy and Buddy

The After School Linky is cohosted by

Boy Mama Teacher Mama

Mama Smiles

Planet Smarty Pants

Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational

The Educators' Spin on It

The Measured Mom

This Reading Mama

We would love to have you link up your School-Age Post (Ages 5 and up) about your learning week after school including Crafts, Activities, Playtime and Adventures that you are doing to enrich your children's lives after their day at school, home school, or on the weekend!

When linking up, please take a moment to comment on at least one post linked up before yours and grab our after school button to include a link on your post or site! By linking up, you're giving permission for us to share on our After School Pinterest Board and feature an image on our After School Party in the upcoming weeks!