Afterschool Library Camp: Final Day of Marshmallows

Our last day started with the book, Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin. Really, no tie-in to the marshmallows. I just knew the kids would enjoy it :) We had 6 kids who were able to attend on Thursday. It was a beautiful day out and boy were they squirel-ly! I'm glad I underplanned the afternoon so we could spend 30 minutes outside. It was too windy to attempt the solar cooked smores, but I have it planned for the summer!

For snack, we made edible sculptures out of marshmallows, PEEPs, frosting, peanut butter, and graham crackers.














Then we finished our Dissolving PEEPs experiment. We took each one out and used our senses (minus tasting!!) to see what exactly had happened to our 2 year old hardened PEEPs. They were amazed and really disgusted by what the tea and soda did to our little birds.

Then we attempted marshmallow shooters. In the future, only paper cups work. Plastic equals uber-fails!! They were cool with it, though, and were excited by the challenge to see if they could make one at home.

Then we went outside and played with chalk, frisbees, hula hoops, and the LEGOs.

We came back inside for a library scavenger hunt. Once all items were found, the child could pick out a book to keep.

We finished by reading another book and talking about all the things we did over the week.

After School Library Camp: Day 3 of Marshmallows

On Wednesday, we had 8 kids in attendance. First, we started off with the book, "Everyone is a Scientist." I let them know how we were going to be scientists the rest of the day by gathering facts and using our senses and tools.

After our story, we did another guessing jar. This time, I had 68 mini marshmallows in a measuring cup. We took turns writing our guesses in secret and then talked about the differences between the previous guessing jar and the mini marshmallow guessing jar.

For snack, we worked together to make Rice Crispie Treats, using measuring tools, flavored marshmallows, butter, rice crispies, and some leftover marshmallow cereal from a previous snack. Each child could pick their own cookie cutter and mold their mixture into the cookie cutter. Some opted to just eat the mixture before forming it, which was just fine.

  

Then we checked out our dissolving PEEPs. I let them touch a few of them.



We discussed how they changed from the previous day and predicted what would happen by Thursday, the last day of Library Camp.

Then, I divided the group into 2. One group worked on designing their own PEEP while the other group microwaved PEEPs. Then we switched. 

Then we watched a funny YouTube video where somebody microwaved a whole bunch of PEEPs at the same time for a long time. "Don't try it at home, kids!" Beforehand, we predicted what might happen, knowing what we know from our microwaving adventure. Most kids were pretty right on! You can see all photos at the bottom of today's post.

Then we taste tested PEEPs and marshmallows... cake, sour watermelon, pink lemonade, and regular flavors. I didn't tell them what they were getting, but I did give them options as to what flavors we had. Most kids guessed each flavor correctly! While I did NOT like the cake PEEP, almost all the kids loved each flavor and couldn't pick a favorite :)

Then we had free time: Battleship, Play-Doh, reading, etc.

Afterschool Library Camp: Marshmallows Day 2

On Tuesday, we continued our exploration of the world through marshmallows. We had 11 kids today and had tons of fun!

First, the kids made their own trail mix. The kids could pick up to 4 scoops from pretzels, marshmallows, marshmallow cereal, Annie's Bunnies, and Annie's cheese crackers. While they ate their snack, I read "Glue." After the story, I held up a vase filled with PEEPs. The kids came up and wrote how many PEEPs they thought were in the jar. Each guess was very close and two kids guessed correctly! 25 PEEPs!
















Then, we checked on our Dissolving PEEPs experiment. I even let them touch a few of them. We swished the jars around to get a good look at the bottoms of the PEEPs. We talked about what the soda and tea were doing to the chicks and what that might mean for our teeth. I reminded them how solid the PEEPs were to begin with and if any physical changes were taking place. We looked at color, size, and movement, too.

Then, I gave each child a glue bottle, a piece of black paper, and a cup 3/4 full of small marshmallows. I set crayons and toothpicks on the table and we made 3D marshmallow sculptures. Very creative kids!

Then we had 40 minutes of free time. They could choose from Pentominoes, checkers, drawing, quiet reading, puppets, dollhouse, trains, and LEGOs.

After-School Library Camp: Marshmallows Day 1

On Monday, we had 5 children attend After-School Library Camp. We are focusing on marshmallows this week!

First, we introduced ourselves and shared our favorite marshmallow treat. Then, I read aloud "Little White Rabbit" by Kevin Henkes. Following the book, we had a snack of peanut butter cookies and marshmallow hot chocolate.

Next, we started our Dissolving Peeps Experiment. Using a variety of liquids, we are hoping to find out which one will dissolve a Peep the quickest (if at all!) and what happens to the Peeps over time. We placed 6 Peeps in 6 canning jars, then poured water, salt water, apple cider vinegar, soda, tea, and liquid hand soap in the jars. We made our guesses and will periodically check and note what is happening! Stay tuned!

Then, we used popsicles sticks and bunny peeps to paint: Painting with my Peeps. Look at the great art!

After most friends were finished with their art, I read Mary Jane Auch's book, "Eggs Mark the Spot."

Following the second story, the children had 35 minutes of free time. They could paint more, read quietly, build with LEGOs, or use the dollhouse, trainset, and puppets. I also gave them the option to do homework ;)

It was a great afterschool program and I am excited for the rest of the week's activities and snacks!

Pete the Cat Party

This was a fun program! We really only did a few activities compared to what I normally offer, but I think everyone had a good time.

First, we read Pete the Cat: Play Ball and Pete the Cat and His 4 Groovy Buttons. Then the kids got to vote which book was their favorite by placing a marker in the correct bucket. At last count, 4 Groovy Buttons is the winner! Next week, I plan to turn this into an interactive display and let patrons vote, as well.

Then we had a Pete the Cat snack - we frosted a graham cracker and added M&M buttons to make it look like Pete's coat. YUM! Big hit!

Before we began!

Then (my favorite and thank you somebody I saw on Pinterest for the idea!!!): we listened the the recorded version of Litwin's Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes as we acted the story out with buckets of "strawberries," "blueberries," "mud," and water (actually water). FUN FUN!

Oh no! Pete stepped in a large pile of strawberries!

A color trail!

We will be having another Pete the Cat party AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! So much fun!