Author: Maddie Van Beek
Happy Easter! I hope you all had a great time with family or friends. There are lots of different Easter traditions out there, but one eggcellent tradition is decorating eggs!
Where did this tradition come from?
It’s hard to determine exactly when people started decorating eggs, but it has been going on for centuries, whether to celebrate the Easter holiday or the approach of spring. All over the world, different cultures decorate eggs in their own way. One country especially well-known for their intricately decorated eggs is Ukraine. Check out the picture below!
Happy Easter! I hope you all had a great time with family or friends. There are lots of different Easter traditions out there, but one eggcellent tradition is decorating eggs!
Where did this tradition come from?
It’s hard to determine exactly when people started decorating eggs, but it has been going on for centuries, whether to celebrate the Easter holiday or the approach of spring. All over the world, different cultures decorate eggs in their own way. One country especially well-known for their intricately decorated eggs is Ukraine. Check out the picture below!
http://darkroom.baltimoresun.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/BS-md-darkroom-p1-pysanky-p.jpg
EGG GEODES
Check out our blog from last year on creating egg geodes for super cool crystallized Easter eggs!
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6a/d9/5d/6ad95d0c197e9f8f678af9fcb65d1e84.jpg
Activity link: http://www.discoveryexpresskids.com/blog/sedimentation-and-crystallization-how-to-make-egg-geodes
DRAGON EGGS
Make dragon eggs for another unique take on your typical Easter egg decorating.
DRAGON EGGS
Make dragon eggs for another unique take on your typical Easter egg decorating.
http://cdn.instructables.com/FX4/88WF/FBQ33VYW/FX488WFFBQ33VYW.MEDIUM.jpg
Check out this activity from Instructables for more information: http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-gorgeous-Dragons-Egg/
OTHER EGGCELLENT ACTIVITIES
Since you already have the eggs out, here’s some more science with eggs!
Dissolve an egg shell and learn about osmosis: http://www.discoveryexpresskids.com/blog/experimenting-with-eggs-acid-base-reactions-and-osmosis
Make an egg float in salt water and learn about density: http://www.discoveryexpresskids.com/blog/floating-egg
Think you can’t fit an egg in a bottle? Think again! http://www.discoveryexpresskids.com/blog/nature-abhors-a-vacuum-how-to-put-an-egg-in-a-bottle
FAIRY GARDENING
Now that you’re done decorating INSIDE, let’s get OUTSIDE and have some fun!
In the last few weeks you have learned about planting bulbs (http://www.discoveryexpresskids.com/blog/plant-your-own-flower-bulbs) and creating flower seed bombs (http://www.discoveryexpresskids.com/blog/spring-flower-bombs). This week, you’re going to go on a nature walk and create your own fairy garden! A fairy garden is basically just a tiny little garden made from anything you can find in nature. You can build little homes, bridges, whole villages, or whatever you feel like creating!
Here’s an example of a fairy garden that my family made at my Grandma’s house:
We used blue buttons to create a little river under the bridge and a brass button for the door handle. The garden gnomes were conveniently there when we started building! Feel free to add your own personal touches to your garden as you build.
Below is a link all about the plant kingdom. You may recognize this website from our flower seed bomb blog. Use this website to gather and identify different items for your fairy garden.
http://scienceinvestigators.wikispaces.com/The+Plant+Kingdom
YOUR TASK: Build a fairy garden (in whatever shape or form you choose) using at least one of each of the following materials:
* Flowering plant (you don’t need the whole plant, just a piece of it)
* Non-flowering plant (you don’t need the whole plant, just a piece of it)
* Angiosperm
* Gymnosperm
* Leaf from a tree
* Stem
* Root
* Seed
If you’re not sure what some of these materials are, check the plant kingdom link again for more information before you start gathering.
YOU WILL NEED:
* Bag for gathering
* Hot glue gun for building (if desired)
* Extension cord for glue gun
Here’s what to do!
1. Find an area where you can gather. The woods is a great place, but even your back yard will do! You’ll be surprised at all the different materials you can find.
2. Gather a variety of building materials.
3. Find a space to build your fairy garden. You might want to find a sheltered area such as under a tree so your fairy garden does not get ruined from the weather.
4. Dump out your materials and record your finds. Check the list--did you find at least one item that fulfills each category? If not, get back to searching! Categorize your finds by writing down each item and then grouping them together. What did you find the most of? Least of? What was the most difficult to find?
5. Plug in your hot glue gun, if you plan to use one. Make sure you have an adult to help you, as hot glue guns can get VERY HOT. You definitely don’t have to use a glue gun if you don’t want to. If you’re building outside, you will need an extension cord for your glue gun.
6. Start building! Use your imagination to build whatever you want.
7. Don’t forget to have fun and take pictures!
References
http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/easter-symbols
http://mentalfloss.com/article/49566/5-theories-about-why-we-dye-eggs-easter
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_egg
Below is a link all about the plant kingdom. You may recognize this website from our flower seed bomb blog. Use this website to gather and identify different items for your fairy garden.
http://scienceinvestigators.wikispaces.com/The+Plant+Kingdom
YOUR TASK: Build a fairy garden (in whatever shape or form you choose) using at least one of each of the following materials:
* Flowering plant (you don’t need the whole plant, just a piece of it)
* Non-flowering plant (you don’t need the whole plant, just a piece of it)
* Angiosperm
* Gymnosperm
* Leaf from a tree
* Stem
* Root
* Seed
If you’re not sure what some of these materials are, check the plant kingdom link again for more information before you start gathering.
YOU WILL NEED:
* Bag for gathering
* Hot glue gun for building (if desired)
* Extension cord for glue gun
Here’s what to do!
1. Find an area where you can gather. The woods is a great place, but even your back yard will do! You’ll be surprised at all the different materials you can find.
2. Gather a variety of building materials.
3. Find a space to build your fairy garden. You might want to find a sheltered area such as under a tree so your fairy garden does not get ruined from the weather.
4. Dump out your materials and record your finds. Check the list--did you find at least one item that fulfills each category? If not, get back to searching! Categorize your finds by writing down each item and then grouping them together. What did you find the most of? Least of? What was the most difficult to find?
5. Plug in your hot glue gun, if you plan to use one. Make sure you have an adult to help you, as hot glue guns can get VERY HOT. You definitely don’t have to use a glue gun if you don’t want to. If you’re building outside, you will need an extension cord for your glue gun.
6. Start building! Use your imagination to build whatever you want.
7. Don’t forget to have fun and take pictures!
References
http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/easter-symbols
http://mentalfloss.com/article/49566/5-theories-about-why-we-dye-eggs-easter
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_egg
