School-Age Activities

Try one of these fun activities for school age children, perfect for the whole family!

Let’s Make Soap

What is Needed:

• 1-1/2 cup opaque soap base (available at health or craft stores)
• Knife
• 2 to 4 drops essential oil in preferred scent–orange is very refreshing (optional)
• 4 to 6 drops food coloring (optional)
• Mold – muffin or cupcake ones you may have work well

Doing the Activity:

1. Cut the soap base into chunks and melt in a microwave for 50 seconds.
2. Add the oil and food coloring, stirring well to blend.
3. Pour the soap base in the mold.
4. Use the back of a spoon to smooth out the mixture.
5. Let it set up for 15 to 20 minutes.
6. Freeze it to harden.
7. Package in a little bag with ribbons if you want to give as gifts (optional).

Tips:

• For a tie dye effect, don’t add dye until after you have poured white soap into the molds. Add random drops of dye into white soap in the mold and swirl with a coffee stick or toothpick.
• For multicolor layers, pour the first color in and allow it to cool enough to form a skin (about 5 minutes). Carefully and very slowly, add the second color over that.
• For pastel shades, add only a couple of drops of dye. For more bold colors, add more drops of dye.
• You can purchase glycerin soap, soap dyes, and several different types of molds from your favorite craft supply store. They are usually found near the candle making supplies.

Categories

What is Needed:

Gather paper and pencils or pens

Doing the Activity:

• This is a game that can be played with individuals or with the whole family.  (This is ideal to play with children who are struggling writers.)
• As a family, come up with several categories such as fruit, flowers, television shows, food, toys, books, etc.
• The object of the game is to list at least one item for each category for each letter that is called out.
• You can use alphabet cards or simply have one person at a time call out random letters.
• Each player will have a piece of paper with the selected categories written across the top of the paper in columns.  (Turn the paper length-wise to accommodate more columns.)
• Have someone select or call out a letter of the alphabet.
• Each player will then attempt to list one item that begins with the called out letter for each category.  For example, if the letter was M, you could list:

• When someone has filled out each category, he or she yells STOP!
• Give each person playing an opportunity to call out some of the items for each category.
• Continue play by having another player call out a letter. Continue until everyone that wants to has had an opportunity to call out a letter, or as long you all are interested.

Group Variation:  You may choose to play in teams, where each team has one person that will write down the items called out by the other members. Try to limit the teams to 3-4 people each.