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Little Passports doesn’t just help kids learn about foreign lands. I found myself on their blog recently, and was surprised to find science experiments! They’ve been expanding their use of the term “passport” to include all sorts of exploration.
Here are some fun experiments for inquisitive young minds. And, if I’m being honest, older ones (like mine), too.
How to make scientific butter
What is scientific butter? It’s butter you made while learning about science. And history! Butter’s origins go back more than 10,000 years to when our ancestors first started domesticating animals. (Sheep and goats were the first domesticated animals; not cows.)
Learn about the ancient method for making butter, and one you can do that’s much quicker. Plus, it’s not nearly as gross. (When you read how they used to do it, you’ll understand why!) Lol
How to extract DNA from berries

This is a fascinating project – exploring forensic science through fruit!
Want to see how it works? This fun video explains how. Be sure to watch the whole thing. The end result is cooler than I anticipated. 🙂
How to make an Edison light bulb

Thomas Edison introduced one of his inventions, the incandescent light bulb, at the World’s Fair. Find out how to make your own Edison light bulb from scratch.
Because many “kite kids” – and kite kid parents – are history buffs, you may know about the international controversy that surrounded who actually invented the light bulb, and when. If not, here’s a summary of the history of the light bulb by the Department of Energy.
How to create a mini rainforest

Ecosystems within rainforests are some of the most diverse in the world, providing a home to an extraordinary variety of plants and animals.
While you may not be able to go to Brazil anytime soon, you can still see firsthand how rainforests generate their own moisture. Simply make a rainforest in a jar with the instructions on the Little Passports blog.
How to make pennies turn bluish-green

The Statue of Liberty was a copper color when she first arrived in the United States; however, she turned bluish-green over the years.
Learn why – and mimic this chemical reaction at home or school. All you need are copper-colored pennies and three items from your kitchen.
What else is new at Little Passports?
Inspirational, single-mom CEO Amy Norman and her team have some other fun products, too.

Check out their World Coin Collection kit, which contains 20 real coins, an activity and trivia booklet, a magnifying glass and a storage pouch.
Kids always love getting coins from other countries, so I’m sure this would be a hit!

In addition, they now have a U.S.A. Edition of their subscription boxes. It comes with a: U.S. field guide, scratch book, wall-sized map and photo scavenger hunt. Each monthly delivery also features two new states, including: a 32-page activity-packed State Journal, postcards and stickers.

For more experiment and exploration ideas, check out the interactive, online classes and camps that independent instructors are teaching on Outschool.com. (And through bricks-and-mortar schools now, too, due to an increase in distance teaching.)
There are makerspace courses and science and nature experiment classes, tons of virtual field trips, and more. My kids are loving them. 🙂
