Art Works! is a series of blog posts created by the staff at www.EscapadeDirect.com that offer children of all ages and abilities the opportunity for hands-on art activities that allow them to explore, discover, and express their individual creativity.

We encourage parents to join in on the activities, too, and create their own Art Works!

Art Works! Activity #6: Clay Seed Pots and Waxed Leaves

Autumn is here and now is a perfect time to create works of art that help preserve the natural beauty of this time of year.

We have two activities for you in this post – one to preserve the seeds from your garden, and one to preserve the leaves of Fall.

Save Those Seeds! – Clay seed pots are a perfect way to save seeds from your garden for replanting in the spring. To read our article on how to do this activity, click Clay Seed Pots.

Preserve Autumn Leaves
Collect colorful leaves from your yard, coat them with wax, and use them for seasonal decorations! These wax-coated leaves will last a long time.

What You Need:

• Colorful Leaves with stems (leaves such as oak, maple, aspen, and elm make great decorations)


• Paraffin Wax (can be purchased at most craft stores)


• 1 Large Metal Soup Can (label removed and cleaned)


• 1 Small Metal Coffee Can (label removed and cleaned)


• Warm Water


• Stove (used with adult supervision)


• Newspaper


• Waxed Paper

What You Do:

• Cut off a portion of Paraffin wax and place it in a metal soup can. The amount of wax you will need depends on how many leaves you want to preserve.


• Position the soup can inside a metal coffee can.


• Fill both the soup can and the coffee can with warm water so that the water is approximately 1/2″ below the rim of the cans. The two cans together like this will act as a double-boiler to melt the wax.


• Place the coffee can on the stove over medium heat – adult supervision is required!


• Simmer the water until the wax has melted – make sure not to bring the water to a boil. The melted wax will float to the top of the water.


• When the wax has melted, use a pot holder to remove the cans from the stove – an adult should do this step! Position the cans on newspaper to contain splatters.


• Hold a leaf by it’s stem and dip it into the wax. Use caution not to get your fingers in the hot wax.


• Remove the leaf from the wax and lay it on waxed paper to cool. When the leaf has cooled, it is ready to be used for decorations.

Variations:

• Use your waxed leaves to create garlands. Use monofilament fishing line to string the leaves together and hang from a window for a seasonal decoration.


• Waxed leaves make a wonderful Fall table decoration!

You Might Also Like:

Flower Press Kit – Preserve and press the flowers from your garden with this easy-to-use Flower Press Kit!

DuAll Box – The DuAll box can be used for so many different activities! Perfect for collecting treasures and learning about the world around us.

Share Your Art Works! Activities!
If you have an Art Works! project that you would like to share, email us a digital picture (or scan) of your project , and we will post it in our Kids Gallery. If you would like, include the artists first name, age, and your state. It’s fun for kids to see how other children interpreted the project!

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As always, encourage your children to come up with their own new ideas for art – and make sure to check back next week for another Art Works! activity in this series!

Copyright © 2007-2009 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.

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Join us on an educational adventure through each state in the USA! Each post in this series focuses on one state, and includes a regional recipe from that state. This is a fun way to get your kids involved in cooking, as well as learn a bit about United States geography! The post also includes a link to the featured state’s website, where you can learn more about the state. We also include free forms that you can download and print to use along the journey. Geography has never been so delicious!

Make sure to check back each week for the next post!

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RECIPE:

Did you know that California supplies more than half of the produce in the United States?

This recipe combines some of that fresh produce to make a tasty salad! Kids enjoy mixing the ingredients together, and love the fresh fruit flavors!

CALIFORNIA Avocado and Fruit Salad

What You Will Need:

• 3 Kiwi, peeled and sliced


• 2 Grapefruit, peeled and segmented


• 2 cups Strawberries, sliced


• 1 ripe California Avocado, seeded and peeled (cut half the avocado into 8 slices and the other half of the avocado into cubes)


• 10 oz. package of Mixed Baby Greens


• 1/4 cup Olive Oil


• 2 tablespoons Raspberry Vinegar


• 2 tablespoons Walnuts, chopped and toasted


• 1 teaspoon Lime Peel, grated


• 1 tablespoon fresh Lime Juice


• 1 tablespoon fresh Basil Leaves, chopped


• 1/2 teaspoon Dry Mustard


• Salt, to taste


• Pepper, to taste


• Large Salad Bowl


• Mixing Bowl

What You Do:

• In a large bowl, combine salad greens, kiwi, grapefruit, strawberries, and avocado cubes.


• In a separate mixing bowl, combine olive oil, vinegar, walnuts, lime peel and lime juice, basil, mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well mixed.


• Pour salad dressing over the salad in the large bowl and toss until salad greens are coated with dressing.


• Top the salad with the avocado slices and serve.


• Makes 8 servings.

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STATE INFORMATION LINK:

California State Information – Click this link to learn more about California attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more! Make sure to check out the interactive map!

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FREE STATE PRINTABLES:

US Geography Journal Pages – Use these journal pages to create a geography journal as you collect information about each state.

California Outline Map – Use this state map to label capitals, major rivers and lakes, and other areas of interest. Draw a star on the place you would most like to visit in this state!

United States Outline Map – Use this USA map to track your journey as you “eat your way across the USA”! Color in each state that you’ve tried one of recipes for.

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YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

• The United States Cook Book – Take a Tasty Tour of America’s 50 States, and learn a lot of United States geography along the way! (PLEASE NOTE: The recipe featured above is not included in this book.)


• US History Cook Book – Serve up a heaping lesson of history with delicious recipes from our nation’s past… from the pilgrims’ first feast to today’s high-tech, low-fat fare.


• Maps of the United States – This reproducible book contains geopolitical maps of each of the fifty states; political maps of the six regions; and political, physical, and thematic maps of the United States. You’ll also find fun facts, geography bee-type questions, and review pages.


• DK State-by-State Atlas – More than an atlas, this book shows and tells young geographers who, what, when, where, and why.


• The Geography Book – From finding directions by the stars, to mapping your neighborhood, to making an earthquake in a box, you’ll have a great time learning about the world with The Geography Book.


• Professor Noggins USA Geography Game – From rural farming communities to urban cities, from snow-capped mountains to tropical islands, this game covers both the natural and political geography of the United States. Learn about the states, cities, and natural geographical wonders that make this country such an interesting place to visit.


• State by State Card Game – Learning about United States geography is made fun and memorable with this unique deck of cards!


• GeoPuzzle USA Puzzle – GeoPuzzles provide a hands-on approach to learning geography.

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Make sure to check back next week for the next state in this series!

Copyright © 2007-2009 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.

Every day at lunch, I present a puzzle to my kids for them to solve – a thinking challenge. My kids love these daily challenges and can usually figure them out – some puzzles quicker than others.

In all the years I’ve been doing these lunchtime puzzles with my kids, they have never gotten frustrated or stumped before. Well… today’s puzzle frustrated my very logical thinking, pattern spotting son nearly to the point of tears. I felt so bad for him, I ended up asking him questions to help guide him to the answer (and he now thinks this is a really cool puzzle).

Want to try our puzzle from today? Here’s what you do:

What You Will Need:

• 3 Pieces of Silverware


• Your two hands


• Table

What You Do:

• Present this puzzle by telling your kids a story, something like this: “I had the strangest dream last night; I had met a group of aliens from another planet and they were teaching me about their culture and how they communicate. Here… let me show you something I learned. If you want to learn, just watch everything I do.”


• The object of this puzzle is for your kids to figure out the special way that aliens communicate numbers.


• Arrange several pieces of silverware on the table any way you like – the more unusual the pattern, the better.


• Your kids attention will be drawn to the silverware, but never mention to them that they have to look at it. The trick in this puzzle are your fingers (but don’t say anything about that either).


• To communicate a number from one to ten, choose a number in your head, arrange the silverware, then use that number of fingers to hold the silverware in place; your fingers are really the clues to solving this puzzle – the silverware is just a way of distracting your kids attention. For example, hold out four fingers while arranging the silverware and say “This is the number four to the aliens.” IMPORTANT: Be very discreet with your fingers; don’t make it obvious that your fingers are giving away the number. Think like a slight-of-hand magician!


• Now rearrange the silverware, using a different number of fingers to arrange and hold the pieces and tell your kids what the number is. Do this several times, then ask them to guess what the number is; continue doing this until your kids catch on.

Tips:

• Make sure not to tell your kids how this puzzle works. No questions are allowed while you display the silverware.


• Arrange lots of different patterns and different numbers. If your kids still can’t solve the puzzle, try different silverware arrangements but hold them with the same number of fingers each time. For example, arrange the silverware and hold out seven fingers while saying “This is the number 7 to the aliens”. Rearrange the silverware into a completely different pattern, holding them with seven fingers and say “This is the number 7 to the aliens.”


• If one of your kids figures out the puzzle before the others, let him or her take over.

One Step Further:

• When your kids have solved the puzzle, ask them what they were thinking as they watched you arrange and rearrange the silverware.


• To solve this puzzle, kids need to be very observant. These observation skills are obviously very important as they go through life. By observing and guessing how the puzzle works, they work their way toward a solution.


• No mother wants to purposely frustrate her kids… if your kids become really frustrated with this puzzle, ask them guided questions, such as “What is it that you are looking for?”, “What specifically are you looking at?”, “What other clues could there be?” – you get the idea!

Oh… and my son who was frustrated with today’s puzzle? That’s him in the picture – practicing. He can’t wait for his Dad to come home and try this puzzle with him! Now do you know what alien number he is displaying?

Have fun!

Looking for some thinking puzzles? Check these books out!

Super Smart: 180 Challenging Thinking Activities – Put the minds of bright kids in overdrive! Filled with 180 “activity-a-day” classroom warm-ups that include new, challenging vocabulary activities and critical thinking activities that push the limits, Super Smart will pique kids’ curiosity and tickle their funny bone.

Brain Games – Here’s a unique collection of over 170 reproducible exercises that stimulate your child to think and reason more intelligently and critically! The exercises are fun, can be used at any time for a variety of instructional purposes, and are perfect for large and small groups as well as independent work.

Are They Thinking? – This outstanding thinking-skills program will fascinate students with its diverse challenges.

Art Works! is a series of blog posts created by the staff at www.EscapadeDirect.com that offer children of all ages and abilities the opportunity for hands-on art activities that allow them to explore, discover, and express their individual creativity.

We encourage parents to join in on the activities, too, and create their own Art Works!

Art Works! Activity #5: Plaster Masks

Create three-dimensional masks with plaster strips – it’s fun and easy!

This activity gives children the opportunity to work with their hands and with a medium they may not have used before. Molding a mask that they can wear is very exciting to kids. Masks can also be hung on a wall as a special decoration. The possibilities are endless! Plaster masks are also fun for Halloween costumes!

What You Need:

• Paper


• Pencil


• 9″ to 12″ Balloon, blown up and tied shut


• Small Bowl (acts as a base to hold the balloon on the table)


• Scissors


• Plaster Molding Cloth (Plaster Bandages)


• Water, in a small plastic dish


• Paper Towels (for quick clean ups)


• Large Plastic Tray or Cookie Sheet


• Paints


• Permanent Markers

What You Do:

• Using paper and pencil, draw a rough sketch of what you would like your mask to look like. Will the mask be a full-face mask with eye holes? Or will the mask be a half-face mask? Masks can be of animals, people, aliens, monsters – whatever subject you would like.


• Prepare your work area by giving each child a tray to work on. Place a small bowl on the tray and put the balloon into the bowl. The bowl will act as a base to keep the balloon from rolling or moving. Place a small plastic bowl on the tray, and fill with warm water. The water will be used to dip the plaster cloth into. We recommend that you have a few paper towels nearby for quick clean ups in case of spills.


• Cut the plaster cloth into 1″ x 4″ strips. The smaller strips are easier for kids to work with, and allow more flexibilty in design. Set the strips within reach of the work area tray (you will want to keep these strips dry until ready to use).


• To begin creating a mask, dip a strip of plaster cloth into warm water, just long enough to get it wet, then remove the excess water by running your fingers down the strip. Lay this strip on the balloon to begin building a mask. Rub the strip gently until all the plaster is spread around and is covering the cloth completely.


• Continue adding strips of plaster, one at a time, until the basic shape of the mask is completed. Make sure to overlap the strips so they are connected. Don’t forget to leave holes for the eyes, nose, or mouth.


• Once the first layer of the mask is completed, continue adding up to three layers of plaster cloth. Make sure to place the strips in opposite directions to give the mask strength. Also make sure to keep the edges of the mask as straight as possible – this prevents having to cut and trim the mask after it has dried.


• If you want to build up shapes on the mask, such as a nose, use precut pieces of cardboard, crunched up newspaper, tin foil, cotton balls, or even molded strips of plaster to act as the base. Once the “base” is in place, cover with plaster strips to make it part of the mask.


• When the mask is completed, allow it to dry thoroughly before decorating.


• When the mask is dry, you might want to use a small piece of sand paper to smooth the surface of the mask or around the edges.


• Use paints and permanent markers to decorate your completed mask. If you would like, you can also use sequins, feathers, stickers – or other embellishments to decorate your mask. Be creative!


• If you would like to seal your completed mask, we recommend using a product such as Modge Podge or Acrylic Sealer.


• To wear the completed mask, drill small holes in the sides of the mask and attach a length of string or yarn through the holes, then tie behind the head.

Tips:

• If you are making a mask for a child to wear, you will want to measure where to put the eye, nose, and mouth holes before you begin creating the mask. This can be done by holding a sheet of paper up to your child’s face to get the approximate locations for these holes. Lay the paper over the blown-up balloon and use a marker to mark these locations. When building the mask, lay the plaster strips up to these marked locations, but not over them.


• We used a fairly thick balloon for this project, and it worked well. If you prefer, you can use a playground ball instead of a balloon. We recommend you cover the ball with petroleum jelly so the plaster mask can be removed easily.


• When using a balloon in a bowl, you may want to tape the balloon to the bowl on the backside of the balloon. The tape will hold the balloon in place and keep it from rolling when the plaster cloth is applied to one side of the balloon.

Variations:

• If you prefer (and have a child that can sit still for 15 minutes), you can create a mask directly on your child’s face. To do this, make sure to place a drop-cloth on the floor and have your child wear an art smock or towels to protect their clothing. Cover your child’s hair with a towel or handkerchief. Cover your child’s face with a thick layer of petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Make sure to cover the entire face, including eyebrows and near the hairline. This layer of petroleum jelly allows the mask to easily be removed from your child’s face, causing no discomfort. Have your child lay down on the floor or sit back in a chair (we find that laying on the floor is much easier for a child). Dip the precut plaster strips in warm water, one at a time, and cover the area of the face you want to use for making the mask. Work very carefully around the eyes! Your child must lay very still during this process, without moving their face for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Apply plaster strips so that you have three layers of plaster, building up the edges of the mask or the bridge of the nose for extra strength. Allow the plaster to dry on your child’s face. Plaster cloth dries very quickly, so this step shouldn’t take too long. When your child feels that they can gently move their face without feeling “stuck” to the mask, it’s time to remove the mask. Carefully slide your fingers along the edges of the mask, working your way toward the center as you gently lift the mask off. Place the mask on a rack to dry. While it may be hard for young children to sit still long enough for you to create the mask, when they see the finished result, they usually want to model for another mask!


• Plaster cloth can be used for lots of other modeling projects! Create volcanoes, buildings, and so much more. Modeling clay works great as a model for the plaster creations.

You Might Also Like:

Plaster Mix – This bag of easy-to-use plaster is perfect for creating small plaster models from molds!

Lyra Skin Color Theater Face Pencils – Use these quality face painting pencils to create masks right on your face!

The Usborne Book of Face Painting – This is an excellent book to use as a guide for painting masks and for face painting. Lots of good ideas in this book!

Share Your Art Works! Activities!
If you have an Art Works! project that you would like to share, email us a digital picture (or scan) of your project , and we will post it in our Kids Gallery. If you would like, include the artists first name, age, and your state. It’s fun for kids to see how other children interpreted the project!

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As always, encourage your children to come up with their own new ideas for art – and make sure to check back next week for another Art Works! activity in this series!

Copyright © 2007-2009 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.

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Make this Halloween, a Mad Science Halloween…

We’ve created lots of fun, “outside the box” ideas for using petri dishes and test tubes – perfect for a Mad Science Halloween Party, and fun for kids of all ages!

Creative Ideas for Using Petri Dishes – Click this link for ten unique ideas. Includes free templates you can download and print.

Fun with Test Tubes – Test tubes aren’t just for science! This article has lots of other creative ideas for test tube fun.

Stop by our Halloween Shop for unique Halloween games, books, toys, and more! We’ve included additional Halloween ideas for our products at the bottom of each product page – come check it out!

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2010 UPDATE:

For even MORE great Mad Science Fun, check out our new blog post at Mad Science Party Ideas.

Have Fun!

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Copyright © 2007-2009 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.

Join us on an educational adventure through each state in the USA! Each post in this series focuses on one state, and includes a regional recipe from that state. This is a fun way to get your kids involved in cooking, as well as learn a bit about United States geography! The post also includes a link to the featured state’s website, where you can learn more about the state. We also include free forms that you can download and print to use along the journey. Geography has never been so delicious!

Make sure to check back each week for the next post!

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RECIPE:

Did you know that Arkansas grows over half the nation’s rice and is the leader in the USA for rice production?

This recipe takes advantage of Arkansas’ rice crop! It won the 2005 Grand Prize from one of the annual festivals celebrating this crop. It’s easy to make, and one that kids really enjoy!

ARKANSAS Cheeseburger Mini Muffins

What You Will Need:

• 1 pound Ground Hamburger


• 1 small Onion, chopped


• 2 eggs, beaten


• 3/4 cup Ketchup


• 1/4 cup Mustard (your favorite brand)


• 1 stick Butter, melted


• 3/4 cup Milk


• 2-1/2 cups Flour


• 1 tablespoon Sugar


• 2 teaspoons Baking Powder


• 1 teaspooon Salt


• 1-1/2 cups Cooked Rice


• 2 cups Grated Cheese


• Mini Muffin Pan


• Small Mixing Bowl


• Large Mixing Bowl

What You Do:

• In a skillet, brown hamburger and onion until well cooked.


• Combine eggs, ketchup, mustard, butter, and milk together in a small bowl, and mix well. Set aside.


• Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and rice and mix together in a large bowl.


• Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients mixture, and stir until the dry ingredients are moist.


• Add hamburger and onions to the mixture, then add grated cheese. Stir together well.


• Grease a miniature muffin tin, then add mixture to muffin cups until about 3/4 full.


• Bake at 425 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.


• Cool mini cheeseburgers for around 5 minutes before removing them from the pan.


• Serve and enjoy!

Varations:

• Depending on the size of the muffin tin you use, these cheesburger muffins can be a meal when using a larger muffin tin, or used as appetizers with a small muffin tin. You may need to adjust cooking time, depending on the size muffin tin you use.


• We’ve used this recipe to make meatballs, too. Kids love to eat the meatballs with a large round toothpick!


• Try this recipe with Dijon mustard for a different flavor.

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STATE INFORMATION LINK:

Arkansas State Information – Click this link to learn more about Arkansas attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more!

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FREE STATE PRINTABLES:

US Geography Journal Pages – Use these journal pages to create a geography journal as you collect information about each state.

Arkansas Outline Map – Use this state map to label capitals, major rivers and lakes, and other areas of interest. Draw a star on the place you would most like to visit in this state!

United States Outline Map – Use this USA map to track your journey as you “eat your way across the USA”! Color in each state that you’ve tried one of recipes for.

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YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

• The United States Cook Book – Take a Tasty Tour of America’s 50 States, and learn a lot of United States geography along the way! (PLEASE NOTE: The recipe featured above is not included in this book.)


• US History Cook Book – Serve up a heaping lesson of history with delicious recipes from our nation’s past… from the pilgrims’ first feast to today’s high-tech, low-fat fare.


• Maps of the United States – This reproducible book contains geopolitical maps of each of the fifty states; political maps of the six regions; and political, physical, and thematic maps of the United States. You’ll also find fun facts, geography bee-type questions, and review pages.


• DK State-by-State Atlas – More than an atlas, this book shows and tells young geographers who, what, when, where, and why.


• The Geography Book – From finding directions by the stars, to mapping your neighborhood, to making an earthquake in a box, you’ll have a great time learning about the world with The Geography Book.


• Professor Noggins USA Geography Game – From rural farming communities to urban cities, from snow-capped mountains to tropical islands, this game covers both the natural and political geography of the United States. Learn about the states, cities, and natural geographical wonders that make this country such an interesting place to visit.


• State by State Card Game – Learning about United States geography is made fun and memorable with this unique deck of cards!


• GeoPuzzle USA Puzzle – GeoPuzzles provide a hands-on approach to learning geography.

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Make sure to check back next week for the next state in this series!

Copyright © 2007-2009 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.

Art Works! is a series of blog posts created by the staff at www.EscapadeDirect.com that offer children of all ages and abilities the opportunity for hands-on art activities that allow them to explore, discover, and express their individual creativity.

We encourage parents to join in on the activities, too, and create their own Art Works!

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Art Works! Activity #4: Make Your Own Myriorama

A myriorama is an endless puzzle that was popular during the 1800s. The panels can be arranged and rearranged to form endless possibilities!

Create your own myriorama – our post shows you how!

What You Need:

• Cardstock Paper, Chipboard or Blank Cards


• Pencil


• Colored Pencils


• Black Permanent Marker


• Scissors


• Myriorama Template


• Watercolor Paint (optional)


• Crayons (optional)

What You Do:

• Determine what you would like your myriorama scene to look like. For example, country landscapes, city skylines, or even your own backyard or bedroom are fun ideas to start with!


• Print the size template you would like to use from this activity (see link above). The original myriorama’s were fairly small, but younger children may find it easier to use the larger templates. Cut out the desired panels.


• Use the small horizontal marks on the edges of the template as your guide. These marks will allow your myriorama to line up correctly, whichever way you arrange the cards. Use all three guide marks or just the marks you need. The lowest marks on the templates are perfect for creating foreground drawings, the highest marks are for creating a distant horizon, and the marks in the middle allow you to add additional elements to the center of your drawings. Regardless of whether you choose to use one or more of these marks, you must use the same marks on each card in your myriorama so that you are able to endlessly rearrange the cards.


• Use a pencil and begin sketching your myriorama. Add drawings of people, buildings, lakes, rivers, ponds, animals, plants – whatever you would like to add. Make sure to draw these extra elements within the borders of each card – only the horizontal parts of your drawing should touch the edges of each card.


• When your drawings are complete, use colored pencils, watercolor paints, pastels, or crayons to color in your pictures. Make sure to use the same color on all the elements of your drawings that flow from card to card. If desired, use a permanent black marker to outline your drawing elements to make them stand out even more.


• When your myriorama cards are completed, arrange them on a table, then rearrange them again and again. Have fun creating an endless landscape!

Variations:

• We recommend you create at least 5 myriorama cards to start with. You can always add more cards to your puzzle. The more cards you create, the more combinations of landscapes you will have!


• Need something to store your myriorama cards in? An old matchbox makes a perfect storage box! Cover the box with decorative paper, then place your myriorama cards inside for safe keeping. Makes a great homemade gift, too!


• Not sure what to draw? Here are several more of our ideas: Create an underwater landscape scene, complete with fish and maybe even a shark or two! Go abstract! Create colorful abstract art that flows from one card to another. Create a prehistoric scence from the land of dinosaurs! Get up close and create a scence of the minibeasts that live in your backyard grass! Be creative!

You Might Also Like:

Endless Landscape (Myriorama) – The Endless Landscape puzzle, called a Myriorama in the nineteenth century, is a set of cards picturing a landscape. The horizon matches on each card so that the cards can be changed in any number of combinations to portray different scenes. The Endless Landscape puzzle is based on one originating in Leipzig in the 1830s.

Blank Cards – Create your own game or activity with this quality playing card deck. The cards are coated on both sides, and look and feel like a regular playing card.

Chipboard – This sturdy chipboard paper is a blank slate, ready for your imagination! Chipboard is a recycled paperboard which can be cut, bent, pasted, laminated, drawn on or painted. The possibilities are endless.

Share Your Art Works! Activities!
If you have an Art Works! project that you would like to share, email us a digital picture (or scan) of your project , and we will post it in our Kids Gallery. If you would like, include the artists first name, age, and your state. It’s fun for kids to see how other children interpreted the project!

---

As always, encourage your children to come up with their own new ideas for art – and make sure to check back next week for another Art Works! activity in this series!

Copyright © 2007-2009 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.

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Join us on an educational adventure through each state in the USA! Each post in this series focuses on one state, and includes a regional recipe from that state. This is a fun way to get your kids involved in cooking, as well as learn a bit about United States geography! The post also includes a link to the featured state’s website, where you can learn more about the state. We also include free forms that you can download and print to use along the journey. Geography has never been so delicious!

Make sure to check back each week for the next post!

---

RECIPE:

Did you know that the climate in southeastern Arizona is ideally suited for growing apples? Yep! Sunny days, cool nights, an elevation of 4,500 feet, and a plentiful supply of water create the perfect apple growing environment. Arizona apple growers raise 55 million pounds of apples each year, ranking 21st in the nation. Apple harvesting in Arizona begins in August and runs through October.

This recipe takes advantage of sweet and juicy, newly harvested apples – mixed with a little southwest flair! It’s an easy recipe that is fun to make, and one that kids really enjoy!

ARIZONA Apple Salsa

What You Will Need:

• 2 tart Apples, cored and diced (any type of apple will work, but a Red Delicious, Rome, or Criterion apple from Arizona tastes great!)


• 4 tablespoons Lime Juice


• 1 fresh Jalapeno Chile, seeded and diced


• 1 fresh Red Bell Pepper, seeded and diced


• 1/2 medium Red Onion, finely chopped


• 1 small Clove Garlic, minced


• 1 tablespoon Fresh Cilantro, coarsely chopped


• 1/2 cup Walnuts, coarsely chopped and lightly toasted (optional)


• 1/4 teaspoon Salt


• Dash of Pepper

What You Do:

• Cut the apples from the core, leaving the skin intact, then cut apples into small cubes (approximately 1/4″ cubes)


• Toss apple pieces with the lime juice and set aside.


• Cut the peppers in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and white ribs. Dice peppers into small pieces.


• Add diced peppers to the apples, then add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly.


• Allow flavors to blend for about 1/2 hour before serving.


• Serve Apple Salsa with low fat tortilla chips.


• Salsa is also delicious with tacos and enchiladas!


• Serves 4 to 6

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STATE INFORMATION LINK:

Arizona State Information – Click this link to learn more about Arizona attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more! Make sure to watch the Grand Canyon Travel Video!

---

FREE STATE PRINTABLES:

US Geography Journal Pages – Use these journal pages to create a geography journal as you collect information about each state.

Arizona Outline Map – Use this state map to label capitals, major rivers and lakes, and other areas of interest. Draw a star on the place you would most like to visit in this state!

United States Outline Map – Use this USA map to track your journey as you “eat your way across the USA”! Color in each state that you’ve tried one of recipes for.

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YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

• The United States Cook Book – Take a Tasty Tour of America’s 50 States, and learn a lot of United States geography along the way! (PLEASE NOTE: The recipe featured above is not included in this book.)


• US History Cook Book – Serve up a heaping lesson of history with delicious recipes from our nation’s past… from the pilgrims’ first feast to today’s high-tech, low-fat fare.


• Maps of the United States – This reproducible book contains geopolitical maps of each of the fifty states; political maps of the six regions; and political, physical, and thematic maps of the United States. You’ll also find fun facts, geography bee-type questions, and review pages.


• DK State-by-State Atlas – More than an atlas, this book shows and tells young geographers who, what, when, where, and why.


• The Geography Book – From finding directions by the stars, to mapping your neighborhood, to making an earthquake in a box, you’ll have a great time learning about the world with The Geography Book.


• Professor Noggins USA Geography Game – From rural farming communities to urban cities, from snow-capped mountains to tropical islands, this game covers both the natural and political geography of the United States. Learn about the states, cities, and natural geographical wonders that make this country such an interesting place to visit.


• State by State Card Game – Learning about United States geography is made fun and memorable with this unique deck of cards!


• GeoPuzzle USA Puzzle – GeoPuzzles provide a hands-on approach to learning geography.

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Make sure to check back next week for the next state in this series!

Copyright © 2007-2009 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.

Yep! September 12th is National Chocolate Milkshake Day.

We’re not sure who came up with this sweet national observation, but we sure do love the excuse it gives us to whip up a delectable treat!

Give this recipe to your kids and let them make this most delicious Chocolate Milkshake – it tastes a lot like chocolate cheesecake! Your kids will enjoy the experience of creating something that tastes so good! Of course, adult supervision is necessary with young children.

Cheers!

RECIPE:

What You Will Need:

• 8 ounce package of Cream Cheese


• 2 cups Milk (for a thicker milkshake, use 1 cup of Milk)


• 6 scoops Chocolate Ice Cream (your favorite brand)


• Blender


• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (optional)


• Maraschino Cherry (optional)


• Whipped Cream (optional)


• Makes 4 servings

What You Do:

• Add cream cheese and 1 cup of milk to a blender, then blend until smooth. (If you like a thicker milkshake, use 1/2 cup of milk)


• Add remaining 1 cup of milk and ice cream to the blender, and vanillia extract (if desired), then continue to blend until smooth. (Again, if you like a thicker milkshake, use 1/2 cup of milk)


• Pour into frosted glasses, top with whipped cream and a cherry, and serve with a straw!

Go ahead! Make a milkshake and enjoy!

Want to read more about the history of the milkshake? Check out History of the Milkshake, Wikipedia.

You Might Also Like:

DIY Strawz – Make your own crazy Strawz with this ingenious set! Kids (and adults) love ‘em!

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Copyright © 2007-2009 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.

Art Works! is a series of blog posts created by the staff at www.EscapadeDirect.com that offer children of all ages and abilities the opportunity for hands-on art activities that allow them to explore, discover, and express their individual creativity.

We encourage parents to join in on the activities too, and create their own Art Works!

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Art Works! Activity #3: Tin Foil Reliefs

Create a tactile work of art that inspires imaginations and looks great! This is a simple, easy project using very common materials. Kids love the finished results!

What You Will Need:

• Cardboard or Chipboard


• String or Yarn


• Scraps of Cardboard or Paper


• Glue Stick or Tacky Glue


• Tin Foil (we recommend heavy-duty aluminum cooking foil) Tip: Use caution when handling foil, as the sharp edges can easily cause skin cuts.

What You Do:

• Recycle a piece of cardboard by cutting it to the size of the artwork you would like to create. Any size will work, but we do recommend starting with a larger size, such as 8″ x 10″, because larger designs are easier to work with.


• Apply glue from a glue stick over a small area of the cardboard, where you want to begin working. Work in small areas so you have plenty of working time before the glue dries. For a glue stick substitute, please see additional note in Variations below. The glue allows the string or paper from the next step, to stick to the cardboard.


• Press a length of string or yarn over the glue onto the cardboard to create a pattern. Be creative! Abstract designs work great for this project.


• Apply glue over another area of the cardboard, and continue pressing string into the glue to finish your pattern.


• If desired, cut small pieces of cardboard or paper into a variety of shapes, then glue these shapes onto your cardboard panel. Experiement with different thicknesses of cardboard and paper to create a variety of heights.


• When you are happy with the patterns and designs that you’ve created, allow the glue to dry thoroughly, to ensure your artwork doesn’t move when you apply the foil in the next step.


• Carefully apply glue from a glue stick over your entire cardboard panel (including over the string and/or other design elements), then place a sheet of foil, shiny side up, over the cardboard. Make sure the foil sheet is larger than your cardboard panel so it will completely cover the cardboard.


• Use your fingertips to gently press the foil onto the cardboard, and over the string and paper. This is a very tactile experience that kids really enjoy! Use care, and don’t press too hard, or you will tear the foil.


• Fold any excess foil around the edges to the backside of the cardboard panel. Use masking tape to hold the excess foil in place.


• If you would like to sign your name to your artwork, use a pointed cap from a marker or pen as a stylus and very gently write (or “engrave”) your name into the foil, again taking care not to tear the foil.

Variations:

• We prefer using a glue stick for this project, since the glue does not dry immediately and is easy to work with. However, if you prefer, you can use a small amount of Tacky Glue to “draw” a pattern onto the cardboard, then lay the string or yarn or paper on top of the Tacky Glue. To apply the foil over your patterns, thin a small amount of Tacky Glue with water, and carefully brush the glue mixture over the patterns, then press the foil over the glue. Spray adhesive may also work – consult the directions on the can for recommended drying times.


• Experiment with different kinds of cardboard. For example, use corregated cardboard from packing boxes – the wavy lines add texture to your finished artwork. Try smooth cardboard, like the kind cereal boxes are made from. The smooth cardboard doesn’t add any additional texture to your finished artwork.


• Make a series of relief panels. Cut three or more cardboard panels to the same size. Create different patterns on each cardboard panel. When you finish these panels with foil, hang them next to each other to create a larger display.


• Use string or yarn to create your name on the cardboard! What a fun way to make a unique nameplate for your bedroom door!


• After gluing the foil to your cardboard panel, use a pointed cap from a marker or pen as a stylus to embellish your artwork with fine lines pressed into the foil. Use very light pressure for this “engraving” process, so you don’t tear the foil.


• If you would like, paint a thin coat of black tempera or craft paint over the finished foil relief. Before the paint is completely dry, use a paper towel to remove the paint from the higher areas of your relief, leaving black paint in the creases and valleys. The foil will shine against the black paint for an interesting effect.

You Might Also Like:

Hypotrochoid Art Set – Create retro art designs with this cool set! Stores in an easy tin case!

3D Drawing Pad – Tantalize your brain with 3D drawings – you won’t believe your eyes!

Share Your Art Works! Activities!
If you have an Art Works! project that you would like to share, email us a digital picture (or scan) of your project , and we will post it in our Kids Gallery. If you would like, include the artists first name, age, and your state. It’s fun for kids to see how other children interpreted the project!

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As always, encourage your children to come up with their own new ideas for art – and make sure to check back next week for another Art Works! activity in this series!

Copyright © 2007-2009 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is
property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.

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