Super Simple 4th of July Fun! (and a giveaway)

Right now you’re either preparing the party (and need something to entertain the kids) or you’re already involved in the party (and want something fun that a large group of kids can do together). Am I right?

Well either way I’m going to try to keep this short and sweet so you can get right back to the fun!

TinkerLab: A Hands-on Guide for Little Inventors 

I am so, so excited to tell you about a book that hit shelves last month. TinkerLab creator Rachelle Doorley has taken her creative know how, fun spirit and inspiring activities to a new level in her new book… TinkerLab: A Hands-on Guide for Little Inventors. TinkerLab is one of my very favorite blogs and I am so very lucky to call Rachelle a friend.

I will let you read the book description here –> Tinkerlab: A Hands-On Guide for Little Inventors (affiliate link).

This activity come straight from the pages of Tinkerlab: A Hands-On Guide for Little Inventors and it’s perfect for the 4th of July.

Super Simple Straw Rockets

What you need: Paper, scissors, tape and straws.

1. Cut a piece of copy paper into 6 rectangles (none of this needs to be exact but that was a good size for the base of the rocket).
2. Roll the paper loosely around the base and secure with tape.
3. Make a circle. We used a lid, but a freehand circle would work as well.
4. Cut a line from the edge of the circle to the middle of the circle. I had the kids put a dot in the middle and cut to the dot.
5. Make a cone shape with the circle. I guess I’ve never shown M & M how to do this… they were amazed!
6. Tape the rectangle and cone together. This part is tricky but we had a great time testing different taping methods.
7. Slide the rocket on to a straw.
8. BLOW!
9. Now that you know how it works, get creative. Big M decided his second rocket should be a space ship.

Before I get to the giveaway I want to say one more thing. When this book showed up in the mail, I didn’t even have a chance to open it before the kids ran off with it. Rachelle has filled the book with incredible tips and inspiration for parents (we are clearly the target audience) but there’s a bonus. The beautiful pictures and simple instructions make this book perfect for inspiring kids as well.

Giveaway

Not only was I given a book, I was also given a book to offer to one of my lucky readers. YAY!

How to play:

• Leave a comment on this post telling us why creativity is important to you. (And if you don’t have an answer just say I NEED THIS BOOK!)
• If you are an A Mom with a Lesson Plan email subscriber receive a second entry. Add an additional comment  saying I FOLLOW YOU! If you’re not already…join now!

Rules:

• US residents only.
• Comments must be entered by midnight PST 7/6/2014. (I’ts a short one!)
• Winner will be chosen using random.org and contacted via email.
• Winner has 24 hours to respond to the email or another winner will be chosen.

Make sure to visit the other inspiring blogs on the TinkerLab Blog Tour

• June 10 – The Artful Parent  
• June 11 – Toddler Approved
• June 12 – Creative with Kids
• June 13 – Red Ted Art
• June 16 – Not Just Cute
• June 17 – Kids Activities Blog
• June 18 – Rookie Moms
• June 19 – Peanut Blossom
• June 20 – Modern Parents, Messy Kids
• June 23 – The Imagination Tree
• June 24 – Babble Dabble Do
• June 25 – Pink and Green Mama
• June 26 – Make and Takes
• June 30 – Playful Learning
• July 3 – Imagine Childhood
• July 4 – Right here! A Mom with a Lesson Plan
• July 7 – Nurture Store
• July 9 – Simple Kids
• July 10 – Kids Stuff World
• July 11 – Let’s Lasso the Moon
• July 14 – Ain’t No Mom Jeans 
• July 15 – Fun at Home with Kids 
• TBD – Childhood 101