Hive Create
Its time to shake off the boredom and get crafty with these fun activities.
Perhaps your family has an activity you could share with the Community Hive?
New! Spinning Colour Wheel
Get to spinning! This is a fun craft activity that will help with hand-eye coordination, and the colours are just mesmerizing! All you need is paper, markers, string and some imagination!
Bending water experiment
In this fun and easy science experiment You is going to explore static electricity and use it to make water move and appear to bend!
Oil and Water
Oil and water don’t mix - this experiment looks at how we can use that. If you add oil to water, we can see the oil sitting on top of the water, showing us the oil is lighter than the water. Adding salt to the oil, it will absorb the oil and get heavy enough to sink to the bottom. The salt will release the oil as it absorbs water instead, letting the oil free to float back to the top.
For an extra contrast, add some food coloring and see how it instantly mixes with the water, unlike the oil which stays separate to the water.
Materials
Glass jar or cup
Water
Oil
Table salt
Food colouring (optional)
Method
Half fill a glass with water
Pour about 1 cm of oil on the top of the water
Our some salt into the oil
Observe
Add food colouring if wanted
Magic Milk
This is guaranteed to become one of your favourite kitchen chemistry experiments. Some very unusual interactions take place when you mix a little milk, food colouring, and a drop of dish washing soap.
Playdough with Shannon
Our wonderful Community Connector, Shannon has shared this simple playdough recipe you can make at home.
Ring Ring! Who's there?
Join Clarkie and Americo with this fantastic demonstration on how to make your own telephone at home. Why don't you have a go!
Elephant Toothpaste
Elephant Toothpaste is a demonstration showing the hydrogen peroxide breaking down quickly. It normally breaks down slowly, but when we add a catalyst (yeast with the warm water), it speeds up the process greatly. The hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen gas, with the oxygen forming bubbles that are trapped by the dish soap, creating the foam we see.
Note: this can get messy! Make sure you do this where it is easy to clean up.
Materials
hydrogen peroxide (3%)
Bottle (preferable with a smaller opening like in a soft drink bottle)
Dish soap (about 3mL)
Yeast (2 packets)
Warm water
Cup to mix yeast and warm water
Food colouring (optional)
Method
Pour the hydrogen peroxide into the bottle
Add a squirt of dish soap to the hydrogen peroxide
Add food colouring (if wanted)
Mix the yeast and the warm water together. Stir for 30 seconds
Pour the yeast mixture into the hydrogen peroxide
Swimming Stickman experiment
So you probably know how to draw a stick figure, but can they make him float? Join Yui with and learn how to impress you family with this this mind blowing science experiment!
Squishy Sensory Bags
Squishy sensory bags are perfect for sensory play without the mess! Join Natalie as she shows you how to make your very own. What will you put in your sensory bag?
Volcano experiment
Have you ever wanted to make your very own explosive volcano? Well, join Natalie as she shows us how to, using vinegar and bicarbonate soda!
No sew recycled T-shirt Tote Bag
What a great environmentally conscience idea! Why don't you have a go and make your own.
Make and shake!
This video is all about using recyclable items and things you can find around your home to make shakers that create a variety of sounds. Why don't you have a go!
Teabag Rocket
This engaging little demonstration is a great, quick way to have some STEAM in your kitchen. While the story of a rocket is a great way to frame this demonstration, in fact this is closer to how a hot-air balloon works than a rocket ship, with the hot air pulling the tea-bag up with it.
Small demonstrations like this, when done safely and with adult supervision, are great at making STEAM accessible and fun.
For safety, do this inside on a non-flammable surface to ensure the flames don’t spread. Ensure everyone keeps away from the flames.
Chalk Obstacle Course
A member of our community, Madison has shared an imaginative video of her completing a chalk obstacle course she created in her backyard. Awesome work Madison. Thank-you for sharing!
All ages can enjoy this family-friendly outdoor activity. To start with, use chalk to draw out your own obstacle course in the driveway, backyard, or footpath. Come up with different obstacles and rules. Some examples of what you can draw include stars (do a star jumps), swirl (dancing), dots (jump onto the dots), balance along a squiggly line or a hopscotch!
How to Make a Birdfeeder
Join Yui as she shows you step-by-step on how to make a bird feed. No baking required.
Fluffy Sidewalk Paint
It is SUPER easy to make homemade puffy sidewalk paint. All you need is a few household ingredients and some squirt bottles. Mix it all together and then you have fun outside paint for the kids to have fun with!
You will need: Flour, water, dish soap – just about any dish soap will work and washable paint!
Origami Cats and Dog Making
Join Holly and Yui as they show you step-by-step how to make for origami!
Drawing with Shadows
Is it Sunny outside? If it is, head outside with Michelle to draw some shadows to colour in.
Make your greens into a rainbow!
This experiment is great to show how plants absorb nutrients through water, with the only danger being spilled coloured water (depending on your dyes, it can stain clothes). The celery will draw the coloured water up, changing its colour.
Other plants and absorbent materials will also pull the coloured fluid up. Using paper towels, you can try to link them together to create a rainbow!
As an added experiment, you can use a tea-towel to move the liquid from one raised bowl to another that’s lower down. As it will move the water only, you can also use it to filter some muddy water (although I still wouldn’t drink it).
Learn to Draw
Click on each book to read (or have the book read to you).
Be inspired to use what you have at home to create!
Rock Art
Two of our Margaret Hendry children, Chloe and Junior have recently brought a little joy and comfort into the community by creating these decorative rock treasures for others to find! Thanks for sharing your imaginative and inspiring activity with the Hive – Your random act of kindness makes our hearts smile.
Rock Painting Hide n Seek is a creative activity that all the family can be involved in. Paint some rocks and hide them for others to find and help to spread some joy in your community. Have you found some rocks on your daily walks? Why not paint them up and share them with us or with the ACT Rocks Facebook page!