DIY Faux Fossils!

  Here's an activity that's fun for kids of all ages! Faux Fossils! Perfect for a little science lesson! First we bought a bucket of Air Dry clay. Crayola Air-Dry Clay  It's smooth and easy to work with.  It's sort of tan/gray when it's wet...but dries white! Give each child a ball about the size of a golf ball  They can roll it out smooth...  And then press it flat...about 1/2 inch thick.  Then take little things like seashells, rocks, leaves or even a trilobite  and gently press them into the clay...  leaving behind subtle fossil-like imprints!  We used a straw to poke a hole in them...and set them in the sun to dry.  They could be painted...  And worn like a necklace...or hung on the Christmas tree!  Fingerprints are adorable too! Linking up to THESE parties this week!

Homemade Crystal Rock Candy!

 I've seen some recipes for Rock Candy before...but never with any pictures!!! Isn't that the FIRST thing you look for? Well, here's a tutorial for Rock Candy with fabulous pictures!  Recipe: 3 Cups Granulated Sugar 1 Cup water Flavor (optional) (I used Cherry)  In a medium sized saucepan, bring the sugar and water to a boil to dissolve all sugar. You don't need to rapid boil at all...for any amount of time. Just dissolve the sugar. It makes a super thick syrup!  Add the flavoring...  Prepare your jars and sticks I used mason jars...pint size. In looking back, I would use the tallest and thinnest glass I have. I used wooden skewers and clothespins. The clothespins keep the sticks centered and not touching the bottom of the glass. Critical in rock candy crystal structures! You'll take your sticks and lightly wet them.  Then roll them in sugar. Allow them to "dry".  The sugar gives the syrup something to  stick to...