Summertime Science with Seria

Over the summer holidays, students in Japan are given enough homework to occupy them for at least two weeks, even for the most determined to finish children. That still leaves the entire month of August to entertain. A month can be a long time when it is so hot during the day that even twenty minutes outside can cause heatstroke.

Unlike my childhood in the southern U.S., if I couldn't go outside and play, I would enjoy a book or fifteen, borrowed from the library, in the comfort of my central-cooling home.

Here in Japan, my kids can't or don't want to read which seems the case for most kids here. And the inside of our house is always a bit on the balmy side unless we crank up the air conditioner to hell freezes over. 

So, I have spent quite a bit of time going shopping just for the cool air. Having seen everything there is to see in Daiso, the dollar store closest to our house, I took a trip to Seria instead, the dollar store a bit further away. I was pleasantly surprised by this display.

It is about 4 different projects to do with your children that has a bit of science mixed in. All of the materials that can be purchased at Seria were also lined up next to a detailed explanation of the project.

I haven't had time to try and read this one yet, but just from the pictures, I think it might be about creating a pendulum. 

This is the project I intend to do with my son. I think he would love it and it would be easy enough for a 4-year-old. He might not understand the science behind why the black lines become waterproof, but I will explain it to him anyway.

I actually had thought about making bath bombs with my kids before but didn't know where to find the citric acid needed to make it fizz. Of course along with the project pamphlet I picked up a packet of citric acid from the display. 

I have to say that I love the projects for kids during the summer. My daughters are never with me long enough during summertime to do any of them together (one downside of being a step-parent) but I still would like to try some of them with my son now that he is getting old enough to enjoy them.

I also plan to do them once school starts again because I think it would be a great way to bond. I am certain the girls would love to make bath bombs.

And I have a few hours of entertainment to fill the summer holidays that don't focus on me forcing anyone to do homework.