Kids Crafts: Balloons, Bubbles & Balls #1

Craft: Colored BubblesEither the first one back wins or set a time limit and
Activities: Flyswatter Bubbles, Cotton Ball Pickup,whoever gets the most cotton balls. You can also play
Balloon Water Funwith teams!ACTIVITY: Balloon Water FunNeed:
Snack: Chewy Popcorn Ballswaterguns
Reading Selection: The Twenty-One Balloons byballoons
William Pene du BoisCRAFT: Colored BubblesNeed:pennies or small objects
dishwashing detergentstring
food coloring or washable paintmarkers
a strawclothes lineDirections:
paperChildren will love these fun targets they can squirt with
shallow panDirections:water guns. Insert a few pennies in a balloon. Blow it
Mix about 1/2 dishwashing detergent, and 1/3 of waterup and attach a string. Tie the string to a clothes line.
in a shallow pan(cold or hot)mix any kind of foodTo make it more fun, faces or bulls eyes may be
coloring until you get the ideal color you want. If youdrawn on the balloon. Hang many balloons of varying
use paint, make sure it is washable. Go outside withsizes and string lengths to increase the challenge.
the pan full of the colored bubble mixture. tip one endStand back and take aim!SNACK: Chewy Popcorn
of the straw in the pan, lift it up, and blow through theBallsNeed:
other side to create a bubble, then slowly pick up the1/2 cup sugar
paper and pop the bubble on it. Keep doing this with1/2 cup light corn syrup
different colors of paint and you will get a great4 Tbs. margarine
colorful bubble print picture!You can also use the straw1/2 tsp. salt
to blow a lot of bubbles in the pan and then place a8 cups popped popcornDirections:
piece of paper over the top to 'absorb' the bubbles. ItPlace the sugar, light corn syrup, margarine, and salt in
will leave a nice print!!ACTIVITY: Flyswattera large saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring
BubblesNeed:constantly, until the mixture reaches a steady simmer.
clean fly swatterAdd the popped popcorn to the mixture, stirring until all
bubble solutionDirections:the popcorn in entirely coated. Remove from the
Fill a shallow plastic bowl with bubble stuff and providestove and let cool. Fill a medium-sized bowl with water.
each child with a new clean flyswatter. Have them dipDip your hands in the water and shape the popcorn
the end in and then swish it through the air creatinginto balls, about the size of a tennis ball. Place the balls
tons of bubbles!ACTIVITY: Cotton Ball PickupNeed:on a sheet of wax paper and after they are
Cotton ballscompletely cool, place each in a plastic bag or wrap in
vaselineplastic wrap.Reading Selection: The Twenty-One
string (or handkerchief)Directions:Balloons by William Pene du Bois This is a great
Spread out cotton balls in a designated area. Eachchildren's story to go along with these ideas!Pam
player has their hands behind their backs, or hands inLester is the owner and creator of The site offers
their pockets and vaseline on their nose. When thefree kids crafts, recipes, games and activities for
game begins, the player walks to a cotton ball, bendsparents, teachers and caregivers. Please visit for more
down and picks up the cotton ball with their nose.great ideas!