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Toddler-friendly DIY Volcano

1/16/2018

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After too many snowy days spent on Pinterest, a serious case of cabin fever, and a peek into the pantry, I decided to try out a toddler-friendly volcano experiment. 

It's a sign that February is nigh when I start building natural disasters within the (sometimes) natural disaster which I call my home.  Ahem.  These walls close in a little more with each icy-cold day, I think.
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Digging in the snow!
As I mentioned in my post a few weeks ago with our lava lamp experiment, The Little Outdoorsman is obsessed with volcanoes right now.  His two-year-old cousin, Matt, is also volcano-crazy.  Time for a volcano party!

On the bright side, this toddler-free volcano, or "BALL-cano," according to Matt, sets up and cleans up quickly and easily.  Also, the ingredients are probably in your pantry already.  On the other hand, it doesn't actually look a ton like a volcano.  We didn't do paper mache or decorate it.  Luckily, that didn't matter to the boys.
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I constructed the whole volcano in about 5 minutes on a TV tray.  It is seriously SO easy to do. I have all of the ingredients pictured above: vinegar, baking soda, aluminum foil, food coloring, a plastic cup, and a paper or plastic plate.

Side note: you can definitely use real cups or plates if you need/want to.  The paper stuff just makes clean-up much easier.
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To begin, tape the cup to the center of the paper plate.  It won't do to have the volcano toppling over!
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Next, cover the cup with a couple of sheets of foil.  Securely tuck the foil underneath the rim of the plate.

The magnetic attraction begins. 
​"Whatcha doin', Becka?"
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Next, cut an "x" in the foil with a knife or scissors...
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and push the pieces of foil down into the cup.
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Add a few spoonfuls of baking soda to the bottom of the cup.
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I have the attention of both boys now, and they want to help!
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I love it when that happens.
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Add some food coloring to the baking soda.  We decided to go with red this time just to make it more realistic.  Other colors would be great, too.
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We are ready for the "explosion"!  They were a little nervous and VERY excited.  I placed the volcano inside of a big Tupperware container. 
​No mess... no worries.

Please don't forget this step!
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Time to bring in the big guns- vinegar!  Buy the biggest jug.  It's worth it, I promise.  Plus, they're going to want you to make another volcano ASAP.
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With a flair, pour the vinegar in the volcano, and watch the magic happen! 
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Dude.
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Even Oliver wass engrossed in the spectacle!
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I live for these moments!
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Looks like a volcano to me!
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This "experiment" was a huge success!  The boys were involved in the setup and were riveted during the "explosion".  Best of all, the cleanup took literally 30 seconds.

As I write this post a week or so later, we've created a couple more of these no-mess volcanoes.  Here are some fun activities you might like to include with your volcano time:

​- Read a book about volcanoes.  I recommend this one.  It's a little old for my three-year-old, but he still really enjoys it.

- Watch a video about volcanoes.  Just be sure to pre-screen it for violence/casualties/language. Yup, found that out the hard way.

- Use volcanoes to talk about the letter "V", a difficult letter to relate to sometimes.  You can do a letter tracing sheet, make a sandpaper letter, or draw pictures and talk about other things that begin with the letter "V".  Vinegar, violin, vegetables, anyone?  Because I am totally sick of "vase".  What kid relates to a vase?

- Add more baking soda to the vinegar in the volcano when it is finished to let it bubble again.  Spend some time scooping out old vinegar from the bottom of the container with a measuring cup, filling the volcano, stirring it with a spoon, and listening to it fizzle.  We used blue coloring in our last volcano, and Reed sat for at least an extra half-hour just playing in the container.  Or should I say experimenting, researching, and learning?
Gotta love it when that happens.  This was definitely a mom-win!  Let me know if you try it out!
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Read more about The Little Outdoorsman's adventures!
Snow Cream 2.0
Bighorn National Forest
Ogallala Beach
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Snow Cream 2.0

1/15/2018

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The Little Outdoorsman finally gets to go outside!  After almost two weeks of below zero and single-digit temperatures, the cold snap is over (for now) and the snow is here with warm enough temps to play.

​Thanks be to God, because I was about to go stir-crazy-bananas.  And so was Reed.
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That smile says it all.  To be honest, I prefer sled riding to picture taking.  But....
1. I wanted to remember this in pictures.
2. It was flippin' cold.
3. We made the best snow cream I've ever tasted, and I wanted to share!
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Yes, TLO does appear to be in about 7 layers. Or maybe 1300.45 layers. I lost count.  A recent Bear Grylls Man vs. Wild marathon has made me acutely aware of the dangers of frostbite.  Everyone else in my life and on social media has made me acutely aware of the flu, colds, pneumonia, and the like.  So.... it's 1300.45 layers.
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Our favorite sled-riding spot is at my mother-in-law's house.  She has a slope just steep enough for a 3 year old, and not too long.  It also doesn't end at the river, FYI.  But I love to walk down to the river at every chance I get.  I can sit and watch the water flow by all day long.  Sometimes, I do!
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Believe it or not, Reed eventually wore out and decided to come back in.  We decided to scoop out some snow to make some snow cream- something our family loves to make at least once each year.  It is a refreshing and delicious way to use up some of that lovely, white, untouched snow.

​Here's how we make it!

Right before coming inside, have your kiddos scoop up 8 cups (or so) of fresh, clean snow.  Emphasis on clean.  Please.
​
Yes, Oliver.  I'm talking about you.
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Make sure you have all of the ingredients ready to go before you bring the snow inside.  You'll need half & half, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar. ​
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 Measure out 1 cup of half & half into a large bowl.
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Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract...
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a half of a cup of sugar...
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and mix that up pretty well.
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Now add the snow!  You can just scoop it into the big bowl or pour the cream mixture over the snow.
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Mix it all together.  Usually, that's all there is to it.

But...
We are going to take it to the next level! 
​That's typical at grandma's house.
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Strawberries!  I think any fresh fruit would be fantastic.  Strawberries are just my favorite.  The colors are gorgeous together.  
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Any chance I can get fresh fruit in my baby, I figure I am giving invading germs and sicknesses the 1-2 punch.

Am I obsessive about the whole sickness thing?

​Who cares!  
Dump the fruit right into the snow cream and stir it in.
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I can't believe this used to be snow!
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It's finished!  Scoop the snow cream into serving dishes and eat it right away.  Reed feels the need to smoosh it with his hands.  I guess so he can pack more in?  He takes his snow cream very seriously.
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Oh.  My.  Yum.
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Reed decided to take it to the next level again.  He gets that from his grandma.
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And the boy doesn't just do sprinkles.
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He DOES SPRINKLES.  This is Snow Cream 2.0, after all.
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And there you have it!  Snow Cream 2.0- the best snow cream this side of the Mississippi!  I like mine without the mountain of sprinkles.
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We have another round of winter weather coming our way today, and I already have everything I need to make another batch.  If you are lucky enough to be in a part of the world covered in white, get out, play, and make some snow cream!  You won't regret it!
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Snow Cream 2.0
(serves 4)
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Ingredients:
​- 8 cups of snow
- 1 cup half & half
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup fresh fruit, chopped
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions:
​1.  Scoop out 8 cups of snow, bring inside.  Begin preparing snow cream immediately.
2. Pour 1 cup of half & half into a large bowl.  Add vanilla and granulated sugar.  Mix well.
3.  Add the snow to the mixture and stir.
4.  Add the fresh fruit and stir.  Top with sprinkles.  Enjoy!

Want to read more about The Little Outdoorsman and our family adventures?  Check these out!

The Badlands

Reed's First Hunt

That's a Lotta Sand Out There, Mommy
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    Rebekah

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