Playing with puddles is a typical example of free and easy science and math fun with common materials.
Thirty-seven percent of extended family members are raising young children or providing childcare. Adults who have learned to look at ordinary objects and think of them as tools for fun and learning are always prepared for their time with the kids. Playing with puddles is a typical example of free and easy science and math fun with common materials. Evelyn Massaro shares puddle activities she did with her young daughter.
For more free and easy activities see grandparentsteachtoo.org for books and videos, and wnmufm.org for podcasts. "Learning Through the Seasons" is live on wnmufm.org at 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 8:35 a.m. Saturdays.
Puddles and ruler
What to do
If it's a rainy or a snow melting day children will have many puddles from which to choose. They can dress up in old boots, tennis shoes, adult sweatshirts, and mittens and "gad about" in puddles.
After swishing a stick around, throwing rocks or stomping, measure a puddle. How deep are puddles in different areas? Help children measure the diameter and circumference. Explain and use these math terms.
What objects float and sink? Look around for leaves, stones, and sticks. If the material is denser therefore more molecules than the water it displaces, the object will sink. If it has fewer molecules, it will float. Can children make a little bridge with a few pieces of wood or wood chips and stones? Is it possible to use debris to block the puddle from going down hill? Can children jump across? Stomp in the puddles and measure how far the splatters will spread.
No puddles? No problem. If the hose is still out, children can make puddles where the sidewalk meets the grass so they get a little bit of mud.
If it's cold, children can measure how deep and wide a frozen puddle pattern may be. Smash a hole in a frozen puddle or make a puddle in a tray. Children can freeze the tray, let it melt or break it up with a spoon.
A large indoor puddle can be made in a bin on the floor. Add some water toys, strainer, and colander to make it rain. Children can also play in the sink with chairs arranged like a cage to avoid falling.
Go into any messy activity with the mindset that everyone will get dirty. Adults, children and clothes are washable.
Just picture children in a warm bath, eating a snack, and snuggling with a book afterward. Then everyone can take a rest, including adults. Young children who get outside to run around often take afternoon rests at a later age than more sedentary children.
Puddle books include: "Puddles" by Jonathan London; "Mud Puddle" by Robert Munsch; "The Puddle" by David McPhail and "The Piggy in the Puddle" by Charlotte Pomerantz.