You can usually find Ms. Pat’s friendly face around the Family Art Studio and Explorers’ Landing as she interacts with children and families in a variety of engaging, interactive and inspirational programs. Now, you can have some fun with Ms. Pat’s activities right from the comfort of your home! Each online activity features a list of needed supplies and easy-to-follow instructions to complete the project.
Videos
Starburst Sculpting
Create shapes and sculptures with Starburst candies in this week’s #FridayActivity, as Ms. Pat and two very special guests celebrate National Candy Month.
Penny Experiment
This week’s #FridayActivity explores why new, shiny pennies turn dark and dull over time. Can soap and water clean a dull penny? What about ketchup? This calls for an experiment! Join us to discover the answers to these questions, and have fun doing the experiment at home.
Crumpled Paper Art & Reading Ish
In the picture book Ish, Ramon loves to draw, but gets easily frustrated and crumples up all his papers before learning a valuable lesson about creativity. Inspired by Ramon, we create colorful Crumpled Paper Art, and finish off this #FridayActivity by reading Ish.
Magically Appearing Rainbow
Make a rainbow suddenly appear, as if by magic, for St. Patrick’s Day! But this #FridayActivity is not a Leprechaun’s doing – it’s science!
Tornado in a Bottle!
On January 22, twenty-two years ago, a powerful tornado ripped through downtown Clarksville, leaving a long path of damage and destruction. This week’s #FridayActivity commemorates this historic event, by showing you how to create a tornado in a bottle. Read instructions here.
Let It Snow!
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Bring the snow to you by making your own super-simple artificial snow for a sensory bin, and conduct a science experiment that creates a “snowstorm in a jar!” Find instructions here.
*Adult supervision recommended for this activity.
Salt Painting
Let’s combine properties of science & art to create Salt Paintings in this week’s #FridayActivity!????????
Pulled String Art
Create your own beautiful abstract designs on paper using a super-simple technique called Pulled String Art. This #FridayActivity just needs some string, regular paper, liquid watercolors and a hardcover book. Have fun!
Spinning Pumpkin
“Persistence of Vision” is the focus of this week’s #FridayActivity, as we make sections of a Jack o’ Lantern magically appear as a single image. Parental Supervision recommended. Download the template here.
Colorful Crayon Leaf Rubbings
????????We celebrate the arrival of Autumn in this #FridayActivity by creating colorful leaf rubbings with crayons!
Crater Creations
????Have fun and explore some science too in this week’s #FridayActivity, Crater Creations. Cause craters on a simulated moon surface and experiment with different impactors. *Adult supervision recommended for this activity.
Watercolor Art Project
Paint with watercolors and use wax paper to create beautiful designs this week with Ms. Pat! Follow the step-by-step guide here.
Outta’ This World
In this week’s #FridayActivity, launch into fun by making two simple playthings: a straw rocket and a UFO climbing toy. Find out how here.
Let’s Go Ice Fishing!
In this week’s #FridayActivity, you’ll celebrate National Go Fishing Day by Ice Fishing! Join Ms. Pat as you learn how to “catch” an ice cube with a piece of string, using science! Go ice fishing with this step-by-step guide. *Adult supervision recommended for this activity.
Construct a Bird Nest & Examine an Egg
This activity will get a little messy! Ms. Pat walks you through the construction of a bird’s nest and examines the inside of an egg. Check out the complete list of directions here.
Painted Desert Process-Art Project
Ms. Pat shows kids how to paint their own desert scene using items around the house! Full directions and a supply list can be found here.
The Importance of Hand Washing
Make sure your children know the importance of washing your hands, how germs spread and how to properly scrub germs away.
Tissue Paper Suncatcher
In this week’s #FridayActivity, use pieces of colorful tissue paper, wax paper and liquid starch to create a pretty “stained glass” suncatcher.
Fingerprint Patterns
What’s something that you always have with you and that you always leave behind? Find out in this week’s #FridayActivity! Print out the fingerprint patterns and find out which one you have here.
Volcano Easter Eggs
“Volcano” Easter Eggs are the focus for this week’s #FridayActivity. Utilize a chemical reaction for a fun, unique way to decorate Easter Eggs. A creative technique with a scientific twist!
Dancing Raisins
Two young guest scientists join Ms. Pat in this week’s #FridayActivity. Discover how you can make raisins “dance!”
Snowy Woods
Create your own snowy woods scene in this week’s #FridayActivity. Find the full instructions here.
Marbled Shaving Cream
Create colorful process-art prints using a fun technique called “marbled shaving cream.” The number of beautiful, unique designs you can end up with is limitless! Before cleaning up, you can turn the project into a sensory experience, too!
Make Your Own Gift Wrapping Paper
????Get into the holiday spirit in a fun and creative way by adding a personal touch to your gifts. Find out how to print your own wrapping paper in this week’s #FridayActivity.
Why Leaves Change Color
Why do leaves change color in the Fall? Find out with this simple science experiment. Step-by-step instructions can be found here. *Adult supervision is strongly recommended.
Mixed Media Hot Air Balloon
“Floating By to Say Hi!” In today’s #FridayActivity, we create a mixed media art project of a photo of your child in a hot air balloon, as a creative and personal way for them to let loved ones know they miss them and are thinking of them. Find step-by-step directions here.
Design a Puzzle
If you like drawing, coloring and putting puzzles together, this project is for you! Ms. Pat shows us how to design and create puzzles that are as unique as you are. Fun for ages 4 to 94!
Make Your Own Ice Cream
????July is National Ice Cream Month. Make and enjoy your own vanilla ice cream with a few simple ingredients & supplies. In this #FridayActivity, you’ll need to shake, rattle, and roll! Full details here.
Colorful Rainstorm in a Glass
Is it possible to see rain indoors? How about a vibrantly colorful downpour? In this week’s #FridayActivity, we use science to orchestrate a storm of colors even on the sunniest day. Make your rainstorm with this step-by-step guide. *Adult supervision recommended for this activity.
Painting By Touch
Engage in a tactile art experience with Ms. Pat’s “Painting By Touch.” Produce raised lines with puffy paint, use your hands as paintbrushes, and close your eyes as you create an artwork by feel. Find the supply list and step-by-step guide here.
Magic Milk
Observe a colorful chemical reaction while doing a fun, simple science experiment called “Magic Milk.” *Adult supervision recommended for this activity.
Exploring Ooze!
Is it a liquid or a solid? Explore the science behind ooze! Make your own ooze using this handy guide.
Make Your Own Germ
Today we are making germ models using modeling clay and Q-tips. Be sure to share photos of your own germ models with us! We can’t wait to see what you come up with!
The Science of Soap
Show your kids the science of soap with this fun experiment brought to by our own Ms. Pat! Teach them the importance of soap and how germs react to it using supplies you can find around your home. *Adult supervision recommended for this activity.
Even More Activities!
Cowboy and Cowgirl Play
Based off the Museum’s Wonders of the West exhibit, give kids the opportunity to get in touch with their inner cowboy and cowgirl! Design your own cowboy hat and vest and lasso a longhorn cattle using this step-by-step guide.
Moon Gazing & Sensory Moon Craft
While implementing this activity, your whole family can enjoy the night sky as you gaze with wonder at the moon and discover its remarkable craters. Little ones will delight in creating a textured, shiny image of the moon in outer space using aluminum foil and other simple materials. Find full directions here.
Traditional American Indian Game
This game is based on a traditional Native American game of chance that was played with dice made from decorated sticks. It’s an easy-to-make, fun game that can be enjoyed by the whole family! In this activity, decorate one side of craft sticks, come up with a scoring system and see how the dice fall! Learn how to play here.
Send a Long-Distance Hug
Have your kids send a long-distance hug to your loved ones using this simple guide.
