The Spices of Life

 You are probably eating some of the same spices that people ate and used over 3000 years ago! Spice up your life with these activities about spices.

 

CONNECT:

• Spices have improved humans’ lives since ancient civilizations’ times; read the spicy history at https://www.mccormickscienceinstitute.com/resources/history-of-spices
• See how spices changed the ancient world at https://www.bbc.com/future/bespoke/made-on-earth/the-flavours-that-shaped-the-world/
• The earliest use of cinnamon was in religious ceremonies; discover more of this spices sacred uses at https://thespiceacademy.com/custom-and-belief-cinnamon-in-religion-and-folklore/
• Watch the science of spice at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DnlkOSBWj8

 

CREATE:

• Stimulate your senses with sensory spice painting: https://craftulate.com/sensory-spice-painting/
• Watch this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Qm89lMLkQ4) to see how to use herbs and spices in the kitchen.
• Your spice rack is historic! Look at it in a new way to see the history of five common spices: https://www.amexessentials.com/historical-facts-about-spices/
• Explore the science of seasonings at https://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/seasoning/index.html

 

CARE:

• Explore medical uses of spices at https://unitproj.library.ucla.edu/biomed/spice/index.cfm?spicefilename=medspice.txt&itemsuppress=yes&displayswitch=0
• Does your medicine cabinet have these 12 spices? https://thewholejourney.com/12-spices-that-belong-in-the-medicine-cabinet/
• Discover how spices have been used in perfumes for centuries at https://www.carrementbelle.com/blog/en/2020/10/20/spicy-notes-perfume/#:~:text=Among%20the%20warm%20spices%20most,base%20notes%20of%20a%20perfume.
• Celebrate International Hot and Spicy Food Day – and check out a chart to find out about health-benefitting spices at https://studentaffairs.duke.edu/blog-entry/international-hot-spicy-foods-day

 

CAREERS:

Want a spicy career? You can be a chef, a chemist, a naturalist, a farmer, a manufacturer, a seller, and even a historian. Spice up your future with these possible jobs.

https://www.astaspice.org/asta-programs-resources/general-publications-and-resources/introduction-to-spices-for-new-industry-professionals/

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/careers-in-food

On The Ice

 It’s like magic how water can turn into ice. And all the associations we have with it: drinking with it, healing with it, fighting it, skating on it. Try these icy cool activities below.

 

CONNECT:

Watch the weird and wonder forms of ice at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCsrOHjupio

Humans have appreciated ice for over 3000 years! Discover the history of ice at https://www.icecoldjustice.com/news/the-history-of-ice/#:~:text=The%20practice%20of%20putting%20ice,and%20the%20early%20Islamic%20world.

Refrigerators used to be called iceboxes; find out the reason why at https://www.icecoldjustice.com/news/the-history-of-ice/#:~:text=The%20practice%20of%20putting%20ice,and%20the%20early%20Islamic%20world.

How many ice sports can you think of? Check out 17 types of ice sports at https://www.urby.in/blog/types_of_icesports/

Get inspired with these amazing snow and ice sculptures from around the world: https://stacker.com/stories/3719/50-amazing-snow-and-ice-sculptures-around-world

 

CREATE:

Feel your way with the 33 freezing and fun ice sensory play ideas at https://besttoys4toddlers.com/freezing-fun-ice-sensory-play-ideas-kids/

Try a dozen ways to turn a bag of ice into the best toy ever at https://www.cbc.ca/parents/play/view/12-ways-to-turn-a-bag-of-ice-into-the-best-toy-ever

Explore this interactive science experiments with ice at  https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/observing-ice

These ice science experiments for kids – with good critical thinking questions – at https://parentingscience.com/preschool-science-experiment/

You can also have fun with ice games at https://kidadl.com/articles/ice-games-activities-kids

 

 

CARE:

IS it Ok to eat ice? Get the answer at https://www.bellevuekidsdentistry.com/mint-kids-blog/2019/1/16/my-child-loves-crunching-ice-will-it-damage-his-teeth

Did you know that the color of ice can indicate its safety? Learn that trick and watch other ice safety tips at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G21WyZrhRKw

Get ready for ice by following the guide at https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/winter-safety.html

Use this ice safety education checklist about when and where to go on ice:  https://www.whitehorse.ca/home/showdocument?id=12542

Learn how to properly ice an injury at https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-ice-an-injury-2548842

 

CAREERS:

You can put your career exploring on the ince – in a good way: ask a skater, a chemist, a food preparer, a recreation leader, transportation specialist, even a Zamboni* operator. Chill out with these jobs.

https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/cool-jobs-careers-ice

https://theartcareerproject.com/careers/ice-sculpture/

https://www.wikihow.com/Become-an-Olympic-Figure-Skater

 

*Zamboni: a machine at resurfaces ice

.

Blood lines

 

You know what blood is — it's that red stuff that oozes out if you get a paper cut. But what is blood, really, and what does it do? Explore these activities to get these and more answers to our life stream.

 

CONNECT:

• Find out how blood works at https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/blood.html
• Watch how blood journeys around the body at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s5iCoCaofc%20
• Watch the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnEprHobSAA  to find out why there are different blood groups.

 

CREATE:

• Experiment with blood-y hands-on science activities at https://www.weareteachers.com/circulatory-system-activities/
• Learn about blood by playing this game: https://www.tinytap.com/activities/g1dv5/play/blood
• Explore blood typing science at https://learning-center.homesciencetools.com/article/blood-typing-science-for-kids/. While there is information about a blood typing kit, you don’t have to go that far; the experiment thereafter is informative in and of itself. But DO ask about your blood type the next time you see your doctor.

 

CARE:

• What happens when people donate blood? Watch the process at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90WPE4_JRD8
• What happens during a blood transfusion for children? Parents, get the facts at https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/blood-transfusions-for-children
• Watch this family-friendly video about treating minor cuts and bruises at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsmwXnzl40g

 

CAREERS:

Don’t faint at the sight of several careers that are blood-related. Instead, explore some of them here (no cuts were made in selecting these websites).

• https://www.phlebotomyexaminer.com/careers-in-blood-work/
• https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/healthcare-science/roles-healthcare-science/life-sciences/blood-sciences
• https://www.jobs.net/article/cb-138-talent-network-healthcare-8-creepy-careers-in-healthcare-proceed-with-caution/

Penguins, Please

 

Happy Celebrate National Penguin Awareness Day: January 20! Discover what’s special about these unusual birds as you explore the following activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Watch the facts about penguins at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8qilxaBR20
• Get details about different kinds of penguins at https://kids.kiddle.co/Penguin
• Explore Emperor penguin families at https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/facts/emperor-penguin
• Not all penguins are black and white; learn about some unusual penguins at https://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/animals/penguins/unusual-penguins/

 

CREATE:

• Celebrate National Penguin Awareness Day, January 20, with these penguin activities: https://handsonaswegrow.com/penguin-activities/
• Try some of these fun penguin crafts at https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/49375/penguin-activities/
• Here are activities about penguins for preschoolers: https://www.childfun.com/themes/animals/penguins/

 

CARE:

• Several types of penguins are endangered. Find out about their threats and ways you can help at https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/penguin
• Help scientists understand penguin population changes by counting penguins and their eggs at https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/penguintom79/penguin-watch
• Penguins can be so cute; wouldn’t you like one as a pet? Is it safe – or even legal? Get your answers at https://petkeen.com/penguin-as-a-pet/

 

CAREERS:

Here’s a hot idea: making a career out of working with penguins: https://careertrend.com/info-10067059-jobs-interacting-penguins.html

Let the New Year Begin!

This is one year that people are looking forward to, hoping for positive changes. It’s a good time for you to think about your own future – and find out about the past and its traditions. Be happy with these activities for the new year.

 

CONNECT:

• Why do we celebrate New Year’s Day? Watch the answers at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKHPtGSwPrQ
• See how other countries usher in the new year at https://bestlifeonline.com/global-new-years-eve-traditions/
• Find out the history of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl at https://kids.kiddle.co/Rose_Bowl_Game

 

CREATE:

• Celebrate New Year’s Eve with kids with these 12 fun ideas: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/reviewed/2021/12/22/kid-friendly-new-years-eve-ideas/8897889002/
• Count down to the new year with this fun music compilation with your friends from Daniel Tiger's: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nzopp23sTI
• Play some awesome New Year’s Eve games: https://mylifeandkids.com/30-awesome-new-years-eve-games-kids/
• Here are 35 New Year traditions to bring you (Good) luck from around the world: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/parenting/g25360543/new-year-traditions/

 

CARE:

• Plan a New Year’s Eve party for kids at https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/49138/plan-kids-new-years-eve-party/
• New Year’s Eve often includes fireworks so stay safe with these fireworks safety tips: https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/fireworks.html
• It’s time for New Year’s resolutions; try some of these healthy suggestions: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/Pages/Healthy-New-Years-Resolutions-for-Kids.aspx

 

CAREERS:

Start the new year about thinking about your future career with these websites and video.

• https://kids.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Career_Sites_for_Kids
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pVyrW_vwaw
• https://www.thebalancecareers.com/helping-your-children-make-career-choices-525407
• https://hirepaths.com/blog/2021/10/04/career-exploration-how-to-encourage-kids-of-all-ages

 

 

Ho Ho Ho for Christmas

 Christmas is celebrated around the world, both as a religious event and as a cultural or commercial time. The following activities offer lots of ways to celebrate the season in many ways.

 

CONNECT:

• Chris IS the reason for the season, and here is why Christmas is celebrated on December 25: https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/25th.shtml
• Read up on the history of Christmas at https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas
• See how Christmas is celebrated around the world at https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/g4933/christmas-traditions-around-the-world/
• Watch about poinsettias (including their history and pronunciation) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymgdsWr326A

 

CREATE:

• Follow Santa around the world with NASA at https://www.noradsanta.org/en/ (available in 8 languages)
• Get crafty about Christmas at https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/christmas-crafts-for-kids/
• Get a taste of Australia by making these kid-friendly Christmas treats at https://www.bestrecipes.com.au/entertaining/galleries/christmas-recipes-fun-christmas-recipes-kids-cook/67u8212d
• OR go British with these yummy Christmas baking recipes for kids: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/christmas-projects-kids
• Ready to play Christmas games? There are 35 fun ones for the family to enjoy at https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/g2725/christmas-games/

 

CARE:

• Keep your holiday peaceful with these holiday safety reminders: https://saferide4kids.com/blog/holiday-safety-reminders/
• Candlelight is lovely but candle burns and uncontrolled fires are not, so here are candle safety tips for kids: https://smartkids101.com/blog/candle-safety/
• Cookie dough ice cream is fun to eat, but you shouldn’t eat raw cookie dough: here’s why: https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/communication/no-raw-dough.html

 

CAREERS:

Christmas is just one calendar day, but year-round careers are built around Christmas: not only the Christian religious life, but also tree farming, event planning, costuming and performance, designing and manufacturing Christmas items – and then selling and using them. Some jobs can make Christmas seem like every day. See samples here.

https://theundercoverrecruiter.com/top-christmas-jobs/https://www.careeraddict.com/christmas-jobs

https://www.coburgbanks.co.uk/blog/friday-funnies/10-weird-christmas-jobs/

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20141222-where-christmas-is-a-way-of-life

 

Aglow with Candles

 

This time of the year features candles in several cultures. Brighten up your day by doing the following activities about candles.

 

CONNECT:

• Find out who first invented candles at https://candles.lovetoknow.com/The_History_of_Candle_Making
• Explore the science of candles at https://candles.org/candle-science/
• Learn about candle traditions around the world: https://tinybeans.com/candle-traditions-from-around-the-world/

 

CREATE:

• Watch this video for details about making homemade candles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRj61Z88iHo
• Make your own dipped candles as a fun family activity by following the directions at https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/6994/candle-dipping/ 
• Experiment with candles at https://toddlerinaction.com/water-candle-experiment-to-try-out-with-kids/

 

CARE:

• Lit candles are beautiful – until they start bigger fires. Watch this video about candle safety presented by a fireman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqPDZb_Fjxc
• Learn more candle safety tips at https://smartkids101.com/blog/candle-safety/
• Use this handy checklist to guide family candle use: http://fire.co.clark.nv.us/(S(x1gny3u2gcln4u1pngbideth))/Files/pdfs/FPWCandle.pdf

 

CAREERS:

You can make a living making and selling candles, and you can incorporate candles in other jobs: interior decoration, party planning, emergency services, science, historical reenactments, and art.

https://www.betterteam.com/candle-maker-job-description

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DU8jMqiln8

Here’s a historic video about candle production: https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/how-are-candles-made-british-pathe