Mini Beasts

  1. Preserve A Spider Web

    Preserve A Spider Web

    Preserve A Spider Web

    Spiders are not just creepy and crawly, they are truly one of nature’s great artists.  Spiders produce silk that they use to catch bugs, usually by spinning a beautiful web.

    In this activity, be a spider scientist and capture and preserve a delicate spiderweb to study.

    Suitable for kids aged 10+ with parental supervision.

    You Need:

    • Empty spiderweb
    • Talcum powder
    • Black construction paper
    • Hair spray

    What to do:

    1. Head outside, in the backyard, school ground or nature trail in search of an unoccupied spider web. To find out if the web is empty, tap it very lightly. You will see the spider move if it is occupied, and you will need to find another web to preserve. Look carefully in tall grass and bushes. 
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  2. Make Your Own Fossils

    Make Your Own Fossils

    Make Your Own Fossils

    Fossils are the remains, impressions or traces of ancient animals or plants, which have been preserved in the earths crust for thousands of years. For a bit of fun, why not make your own fossils of treasures you find at the beach or in your garden? Its easy to make lasting fossil impressions either using pre-prepared clay or Plaster of Paris from the shop, or by making your own authentic-looking dough.

    Suitable for kids aged 5+

    You Need:
    • 1/2 cup of flour
    • 1/2 cup of used coffee grounds
    • 1/4 cup of salt
    • cup of sand
    • Water
    • Mixing bowl and spoon
    • Fossil Objects
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  3. Grow Bacteria On Homemade Agar Plates

    Grow Bacteria On Homemade Agar Plates

    Grow Bacteria On Homemade Agar Plates

    Make your own agar Petri dishes and grow bacterial colonies. Youll be amazed at the diversity of bacteria around us all the time.

    Suitable for kids aged 8+ with parental supervision

    CAUTIONThis science activity involves the use of boiling water. Hot water must only be handled by an adult.
    You Need:
    • teaspoon of beef stock powder
    • cup of water
    • 1 teaspoon of sugar
    • 1 teaspoon of gelatin
    • Saucepan for boiling mixture
    • 2 x Petri dishes
    • Spoon
    • Sticky tape
    • Felt-tip pen to label petri dishes
    • Cotton swab (optional)
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  4. Mini Worm Farm

    Mini Worm Farm

    Mini Worm Farm

    Make a mini worm farm from things around the house

    Suitable for kids aged 4+

    You Need:
    • Empty 2-litre plastic bottle with lid, or 1-litre milk carton , or similar (transparent containers are best to view your worms)
    • Soil or potting mix
    • Food scraps (vegetables, lettuce, fruit etc.)
    • Newspaper ripped into small squares and wet
    • Hay, dead leaves or grass clippings
    • Sand (optional)
    • 10 to 15 worms
    What to do:
    1. Punch with a hammer and nail four small holes in the bottom of your container
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  5. Yeast Balloon

    Yeast Balloon

    Blow up a balloon with a chemical reaction

    Have some yeast friends blow-up a balloon for you!

    Suitable for kids aged 5+ with parental supervision

    You Need:
    • 1 packet of dry yeast
    • 1 cup of warm water (almost hot)
    • tablespoon of sugar
    • 1 balloon
    • A small empty juice or water bottle
    What to do:
    1. Mix the yeast, sugar and warm water together by stirring gently.
    2. Once the sugar has dissolved (after a minute or so) pour the mixture into the bottle. You may notice the mixture may have already started to bubble as the yeast produce carbon dioxide.
    3. Stretch the mouth of the balloon
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