Archive for the ‘kids do’ Category

Several years ago when my son entered 2nd grade, his teacher, Mrs. Smith helped each child in the class make a small time capsule.  They cut a piece of yarn to measure their height, and traced their hands and feet.  At the end of the year it was amazing to bring out the time capsules and see the growth of each child.

My son’s string came only to his nose… neither of us could believe the extraordinary growth that had taken place over the year. I was happy and not just a little wistful to think of his growth both physically and emotionally.

As my kids get ready for the start of school in a few days, we are taking a little time to make a time capsule today.

We are not only measuring their height and tracing hands and feet, but my children are drawing a self portrait.  I am also having them write a few of their favorite things down on paper like their favorite friend, pastime, and food to name a few.

At the end of the year it will be so fun for a us to make a comparison and see how much they’ve grown.

But I can also look years ahead, to when my children are grown.  I can imagine how fun it will be for my grandchildren to compare their height at the same age as their mom or dad.

The last few days of summer are getting the better of me…  And since I am on the run getting ready for school, and get kids shuffled to multiple birthday parties and activities… I thought I would post the tutorial for Marshmallow Shooter that I did for Skip to My Lou earlier this summer.

Split, splat, splodge…

Marshmallow shooters are a riot for the entire family.  They are great backyard fun and perfect for any outdoor party.  Have a distance shooting contest, we’ve seen them go 20 feet or more.  Or a see who can hit a target with the most accuracy.  And while you’re at it, don’t forget to eat a few.

Making Marshmallow Shooters couldn’t be easier.  In fact, once an adult cuts the sprinkler pipe, the kids can assemble the shooters themselves. My kids love to play with the pieces, creating new configurations.

Here’s what you need to make these easy marshmallow shooters:

With a PVC pipe cutter or a hacksaw, cut 1/2″ wide PVC pipe as follows:

• 2 x 2″ length of pipe
• 2 x 3″ length of pipe
• 1 x 4″ length of pipe

You will also need 1/2″ wide connectors as follows (make sure to buy smooth not threaded connectors):

• 2 x elbow joints
• 1 x “T” joint
• 1 x end cap
• 1 x straight connector

You will also need sand paper.

And mini marshmallows of course.

To fit your shooter together working from left to right:

1. Carefully sand the end of one of your 2″ lengths of pipe.  Make it nice and smooth as this will be your mouth piece.
2. Connect the other end of your 2″ length of pipe into an elbow joint.
3. Connect the other 2″ section of pipe to other side.
4. Next comes the other elbow.
5. Then connect a 3″ section.
6. Connect the “T”.
7. At the bottom of the “T” connect the next 3″ section and then the end cap.  That will be your handle.
8. Connect the 4″ section of pipe to the “T”.
9. Connect the straight section to the end of the Shooter.

You’re done.  You shooter should look like this:

To play, simply place a mini marshmallow into the mouth end of the Shooter.  Yes, I said mouth end.  The marshmallow will travel all the way through the pipe and shoot out the other end.

Then aim.

And blow.

And shoot to your heart’s content.

You might want to watch for a sale on mini marshmallows….

If you’re lucky, there’s no clean up necessary.

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I feel obligated to state add a word of warning:  Please supervise your children with this activity.