Use an ink pad, your fingerprints and a marker to create animals, people, trees, houses… even a whole neighborhood on paper.
Clean up with an alcohol prep pad.
Creative and fun!
Monthly Archives: July 2011
Fingerprint Fun
Did You Know? Plants are Made into Clothes
Ok– I know you’ve seen the label that says 100% cotton. 
But there are other plants that are used to make fabrics too. Here are some interesting facts about cotton and some others.
Cotton
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Cotton comes from plants that produce seed pods filled with ball-shaped clumps of cotton fiber. The seeds are separated from the cotton fiber mechanically. The process continues by spinning threads from the remaining, seedless white fiber. The threads are then woven to make cloth, which can be dyed. Cotton was grown in Pakistan’s Indus Valley more than 5,000 years ago. Cotton was grown and used to make clothing in ancient Egypt. Cotton plants were exported to the Southern United States in the 17th century.
Flax
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Flax grows to a height of 4 feet and has leaves that consist of long, tough fibers. Flax has been used since ancient times to make clothing. The ancient Egyptians used flax to create linen cloth more than 4,000 years ago, and it was used in Medieval Europe to make cloth. Flax is still used to make fabrics for clothing, and it is commonly blended with synthetic materials and wool to add strength to fine yarns.
Hemp
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Hemp comes from the Cannabis sativa plant and has been used to make cloth since ancient times. In the 1980s, producers were able to make fine cloth suitable for clothing from hemp. This development occurred following the discovery of a process using enzymes that removed the fibers’ roughness while still allowing the fiber to retain its durability. Designers currently use hemp, blended with other textiles, to make fine cloth, in contemporary designs. Hemp fiber is resistant to stretching, which allows clothes made from cloth woven with hemp fibers to retain their shape and size. Hemp typically grows in warm climates, such as those found in tropical regions.
Ramie
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Ramie is grown in East Asia, and is known as China grass. Ramie fibers have been found in fabrics used to wrap mummies in ancient Egypt. Ramie fibers are fine and produce delicate silk-like threads when spun, although the fibers can become brittle when a dry process is used to spin them. Cloth made from Ramie is resistant to stain and has a slight sheen that reflects light. Ramie fabrics are also used in the manufacture of garments because the cloth does not readily shrink.
Ocean in a Bottle
Here’s a science project that doubles as a fun craft. Create your very own ocean waves in a plastic soda bottle. Display for all your friends to see!
What you’ll need:
- Empty two liter plastic bottle with lid
- Clear vegetable oil or mineral oil
- Water
- funnel
- Blue food coloring
- Small star fish, shells and other sea creatures
- One tsp glitter
- White craft glue
- Hot glue
How to make it:
- Wash and dry two-liter bottle and remove all labels
- Fill bottle halfway with tap water
- Add a few drops of blue food coloring and swirl around to mix
- Add glitter
- Add sea creatures
- Fill bottle the rest of the way with vegetable oil using a funnel
- Be sure that rim and cap are dry, then apply white craft glue around the rim. Seal cap.
- Use a layer of hot glue around the outer edge of the cap for added protection from leakage
- Turn bottle on its side and gently rock the bottle to create a “wave” inside your ocean habitat!
Tips:
- Use lightweight starfish, shells and other sea creature toys that can float. Test them first in a bowl or glass of water. Find these at your local craft supply store or discount department store.
- Make the ocean any color you choose! Blue is standard of course, but if your child’s room is decorated with red and yellow, go with red food coloring. There’s no rule that says your ocean must be blue.
- Small children will be mesmerized by this creation. They can help make this every step. Let them insert the sea creatures, hold the funnel and help add the tap water. In the steps that may be more difficult for little fingers, have them hold the bottle steady for you while you add the glitter.
