The Science of Making Bubbles
May 2021
There is a science to the process of making good bubble solutions. Bubble-making is the best mix of play and science, and with all this great weather we are having, it’s the perfect time to get outside and blow some bubbles! We have some great bubble recipes to share, too!
Invisible Ink Science Project
January 11, 2021
Learn about invisible ink with Nevada County library and their Random acts of science program. Join Amy each week as she demonstrates this super fun science experiment on Facebook Live. Then stop by the Grass Valley or Madelyn Helling Library to pick up a kit so you can do the experiment, too! Ages 4-12.
Make Beautiful Coffee Filter Snowflakes
December 13, 2020
Create your own fun and unique snowflakes below with this easy snowflake coffee filter craft and science experiment.
Erupting apple experiment
November 16, 2020
Erupting apple science for awesome fall activities for kids! Fall is an excellent time of the year to put a little twist on classic science experiments. Seasonal themes really get kids excited for science and STEM
Leaf cutting tray
October 13, 2020
Head out on a nature walk and practice fine motor skills by Collecting and cutting beautiful fall leaves.
Volunteer at the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe
August 3, 2020
The Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe is able to save and improve the lives of homeless pets because of our vast network of generous volunteers. They provide support at the shelter, at our numerous events, through our growing humane education programs and through our Pet Assisted Therapy Program. In return, the volunteer programs offer great learning opportunities, socialization and fun in an environment with one goal: to help homeless pets in need. Kids are more than welcome to volunteer with us, but must be at least 8 years of age and accompanied by a parent or guardian that is at least 18 years of age. You can also check out the puppy cam at the San Francisco SPCA!
Looking for more activities? Check out our other libraries!
Exploring rocks
July 27, 2020
Preschoolers love looking at and collecting rocks! So why not turn this interest in rocks into a simple science table? Young children will love using real science tools to explore rocks!
Tinker and create with the recycling
July 20, 2020
Bored? Go tinker with the recycling! When looking to inspire your kids’ creativity, search no further than your recycling bin. Glass, plastic, and cardboard are all incredibly versatile crafting supplies with an infinite number of uses. While you could just let your little ones loose with a stack of old magazines, a little direction could prove helpful (at least to get started).
Float DIY Water Bottle Boats
July 13, 2020
Make mini boats to float or race with recycled water bottles.
Hula-Hooping with a Rubber Band science experiment
July 6, 2020
Are you any good at hula-hooping? If not, don’t worry—you can do this fun project without any hula-hooping experience. You will examine some of the fascinating physics behind hula-hooping using just a pencil and a rubber band.
Exploding Watermelon Volcano
July 6, 2020
Make an exploding watermelon volcano out of a small watermelon. We love volcano activities and baking soda science! This summer we have the WATERMELON-CANO!
Go on a Bird Walk
June 27, 2020
Get out your binoculars and get some exercise while you learn about the birds of this area. Tahoe Institute of Science has created this great seasonal species checklist of the birds of the Lake Tahoe basin. It lists every species documented to have occurred at Lake Tahoe, along with breeding status and abundance codes broken out by season (note that these are not the standard, solar seasons).
Candy Math game
June 27, 2020
Do you love math games? How about starburst candy? Follow along as Armando from the Children’ s Museum Houston shows us how to make this DIY bar graph with Starbursts!
The cool science behind making your own ice cream
June 22, 2020
Ice cream – It’s yummy and it’s a fun science experiment. Ice cream might be the one science experiment that you would want to eat. Try this fun technique called Ice cream in a bag.
Solar oven project for kids
June 22, 2020
Summer STEM isn’t complete until you have made your own sun oven or solar cooker for melting s’mores. No campfire needed with this engineering classic!
Homemade Shrinky Dinks!
June 22, 2020
Did you know you can SHRINK plastic objects down to a fraction of their size? This fun STEAM activity is appropriately called Shrinky Dinks! Watch as your plastic design rapidly shrinks when heated. What do you notice about your shrinky dink before, during, and after it shrinks down? Thanks Boston Children’s Museum for a fun video!
Dissecting a flower and learn about its parts
June 15, 2020
Find a cool flower and gently dissect it. Investigate all the different parts that make up the flower. What do all the different parts do? Can you put it back together? Can you name all the parts?
Dyed flowers science experiment
June 15, 2020
Set up a simple and visually stunning science experiment with the kids to explore the transfer of water through a plant! This is easy enough for a preschooler to understand and makes a great introduction to practical science investigations.
Learn how to make a simple straw aeration hydroponic system
June 15, 2020
Kids are amazed to see plants growing without soil. This simple kid-powered system gives them a chance to experiment and explore hydroponic basics.
Bringing a dose of KidZone to your home
June 8, 2020
Join KidZone educators Holly and Piper for this awesome tutorial from the KidZone Art Room on pendulum art!
Make your own marble run
June 1, 2020
#ThinkeryAtHome shows us how to build our own Marble Run using office and kitchen supplies we almost certainly have around the house. Follow her template or get creative and build as big and complex a track as we can imagine!
Marble milk science and art project
June 1, 2020
Learn how to make Marbled Milk Paper from the popular marbled milk science experiment.
Make your own cloud in a jar
May 25, 2020
Don’t you just love looking at clouds in the sky? I sure do! But how do they get there? We decided to get into some hands-on science by making our own clouds in a jar.
TaHome Nature Education: Tahoe Skies by Tahoe Institute of Natural Science
May 25, 2020
TINS is doing their part to bring Tahoe kids and families amazing lesson plans. This week’s lesson plan is all about the Tahoe Skies. Thank you, TINS!
Try this fun air pressure experiment!
May 25, 2020
Why does water rise? In this experiment a candle and some rising colored water reveal a hidden property of air that’s around you all the time.
Explore pollination with TINS
May 18, 2020
Tahoe Institute of Natural Science has amazing curriculums for all things Tahoe. This week they explore pollination and all the critters that help.
Build your own cloud viewer
May 18, 2020
Clouds are a neat weather project to explore for spring science. Make your very own cloud viewer and take it outside for a fun cloud identification activity. You can even keep a cloud journal!
Create your own moon flip book
May 18, 2020
Each night, the Moon looks a little different. Sometimes it’s almost round, and other times it’s just a sliver. But the moon doesn’t really change – all that changes is our view. Use this flip book to record what you observe!
Breakfast science with Sierra Nevada Journeys
May 11, 2020
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day but did you know it’s also the great time for science. Use the scientific method to find the ratio of pancake mix to water that makes the fluffiest pancakes.
Getting fizzy with it
May 11, 2020
Have some fun experimenting with chemical reactions. California Science center has lots of fun ideas you can do right at home with items you can find in your cupboard
Live cams at San Diego Zoo
May 11, 2020
Watch all the fun antics of the amazing animals at the San Diego Zoo. The koalas are so cute!
Make a catapult
May 4, 2020
Exploring physics has never been so exciting for kids because everyone loves to launch stuff into the air! A catapult made out of popsicle sticks is the perfect kids’ activity for simple physics.
Roller coaster science
May 4, 2020
Try designing your own roller coaster and learn more about the science behind it with the scientist at California Science Center.
Tahoe’s spring baby animals
May 4, 2020
Learn about the Tahoe region’s spring baby animals with Tahoe Institute of Natural Science.
Chain reactions
April 27, 2020
Learn about Rube Goldberg machines in this fun experiment. This chain Reaction experiment is a playful and inventive approach to learning about cause and effect. Also check out the fun video of the ultimate Rube Goldberg machine.
Tahoe Nature Activity Book from TINS
April 27, 2020
The Tahoe Nature Activity Book is designed to enhance grades K-2 curricula and align with Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS) programming. The book is illustrated and designed for children to learn more about the natural wonders of the Lake Tahoe area.
Make a simple rain gauge
April 27, 2020
There’s no better way to learn about the weather than to observe it and experience it first hand. Keep track of Tahoe’s precipitation with a simple rain gauge made from a clear plastic bottle.
Celebrate Earth Day with the Exploratorium
April 20, 2020
April 22, 2020, marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Join The Exploratorium for an online program exploring some of the big ideas behind the science of the Earth’s systems. Watch the live stream on YouTube and Facebook.
KidZone Teen Board Tutorials
April 20, 2020
Watch the KidZone Teen Board Tutorial for a toilet paper roll flower art project!
Discover Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
April 20, 2020
Join the park ranger for an interactive tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Fly over an active volcano, explore a lava tube, and look across a volcanic cliff.
Discover all the little critters of spring
April 20, 2020
Take your wee explorers outside and encourage them to explore and discover the tiny critters all around. Bring a magnifying glass and jars.
Popping Perfect Popcorn
April 13, 2020
Learn the science behind popping the perfect popcorn for your next family movie night.
Virtual spring break at the San Diego Zoo
April 13, 2020
The Zoo is currently closed, but you can stay connected to wildlife—and have fun! Join them on a Virtual Mission: Spring Break April 3–19 through these activities.
Explore animal senses with Tahoe Institute of Natural Science
April 13, 2020
TINS is publishing environmental learning activities each Monday, focusing on a diversity of place-based learning topics. Each lesson is geared toward elementary-aged students, with activities for K-2 and 3-5 graders.
A Slime By Any Other Name
April 6, 2020
It’s green, it’s gooey it’s…OOBLECK! Mr. O puts a science spin to this classic slime
The Exploratorium’s “Science Snack”
April 6, 2020
Learn the science behind soap and its amazing ability to inactivate coronavirus
The Art and Science of Marbling
April 6, 2020
The Children’s museum of Houston teaches us how to marbleize paper and all the cool science behind it.
Watch the live cam at Monterey Bay Aquarium!
March 30, 2020
Check out the animals at the Monterey Bay Aquarium! Be delighted by the antics of the sea otters or mellow out to the hypnotic drifting of their jellies. With 10 live cams to choose from, you can experience the wonder of the ocean no matter where you are.
Draw a sea turtle with Deep Space Sparkle
March 30, 2020
Deep Space Sparkle is a great resource for teaching kids art. In this lesson she reads a beautiful book called “life” and then leads the kids through a drawing. All you will need is paper, crayon, and watercolors.
“Learn at Home” with Scholastic
March 30, 2020
Scholastic is offering a great online resource, called Learn at Home.
Science Snack from the Exploratorium
March 30, 2020
Learn the science behind soap and the coronavirus from the people at San Francisco’s Exploratorium.
Are you ready for more?
Share with us!
We are encouraging community connection while we’re physically distancing! Show us how your family is using KidZone@Home and share your activity ideas with us. Tag your photos and videos on social media with #kidzoneathome or by emailing our Education Manager, Holly.
KidZone@Home in the Community
During this difficult time of social distancing, we are providing KidZone@Home kits to under-served families. These high-quality kits will help children learn, stay occupied without screen time, and decrease family stress. Kits vary and may include Legos, blocks, play circuits, arts, games, books and more. Kits are developed for infants, preschoolers, elementary students, and children with special needs. Each kit costs us $50 to put together.
Please consider purchasing a KidZone@Home kit or two for an under-served family by making a donation. We appreciate your support!
