At the 2014 Macaroni Kid Publisher Meet Up, we were given samples of some products from Steve Spangler Science. He's the Science teacher I wish I'd had! Though I haven't gotten a chance to review "Insta-Snow Powder" and "Jelly Marbles" yet, when I needed an idea for this article, I went right to the Steve Spangler Science website and found just what I was looking for to add that finishing touch to Halloween...easy and really fun for all. I encourage you to check out his website. Though many of his experiments use items you may have around your house, he has some really neat kits available and with the holidays coming up, and the STEM emphasis in schools, you might just find the perfect thing for a budding scientist. Below are several ideas we got for Halloween from Steve Spangler Science.
MAGIC PUMPKIN |
This is a wonderful activity from Macaroni Kid Meet Up Sponsor Steve Spangler Science to keep the kids occupied while they wait for the time to Trick or Treat. You can find the complete directions here. Rub the skewer between your palms and the kids will get a little peek into the wonders of animation. You can see on the Steve Spangler website why it works.
SCREAMING BALLOON AND CREAKING DOOR |
Steve Spangler shows us how to add a little Halloween sound effects to the night using a balloon and a hex nut and a plastic cup and a string! Check out the Steve Spangler Science site for complete instructions.
Click here for Creaking Door. Click here for Screaming Balloon.
They both worked beautifully and we did not use the violin rosin for the Creaking Door and got a pretty good sound. The Screaming balloon took a second to get going, but once it starts...watch out!
Now your doors are creaking and you've got eerie screaming going on. what next? YOU need a costume! Here's a fun and inexpensive option. Takes about a half hour to complete.
NEWSPAPER WIG |
OK, so at the last minute the urge hits you to dress up too. No worries, this is pretty simple!
- Newspaper
- Masking tape
- Plastic grocery bag
- Something round like a pumpkin, cabbage, ball or someone's head to shape the wig on
- Scissors
Shape the plastic grocery bag over the round object.
Use the masking tape to "draw" an outer perimeter of a skullcap.
Fill in the entire head shape with masking tape.
Remove the masking tape covered plastic bag and trim around the edge into a more solid skull cap shape.
Put back onto round object.
This is the base of your "wig".
Take the newspaper and tear it into lengthwise strips.
Separate strips and layer them by taping in sections on the shape from the bottom up so that every layer covers the one below to hide the tape.
When you get to the top, you can take strips of paper and lay them across the top of the uppermost layer of tape by gluing them on top at the "center part".
Style your wig by trimming, adding bangs or curling (like you do with ribbon). You can add ribbons, beads, anything you can think of. Top with a hat or bandana.
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