Adventurez Creating with Trash! Re-cycling Fun-

We used things that were saved from the trash bin- stuff that needed a "new life" - and whatever else we had around the house to create our very own :

"Science Specimens" Kit - (they named it)
My 10 yr. old drew a picture of a microscope for the front.

Everything fit nicely in our kit:

 W. (6yrs) made the log book from scraps and decorated it: I think it was brilliantly done- he drew the state of Florida, and added a US Flag "cause that's where we find our bugs" He made a couple of snails and added a flower - great specimen examples- I love the word stickers he added)

The boys have never had so much fun with a project! They even put some supplies in a back pack - including the journal- a pair of binoculars- and a jar - and headed off on an excursion (in the yard)
to find "specimens" worthy of their new kit.

Yup, that's a dead scorpion.

 We observed:

Black Widow Y'all:

Wasp larvae:

We examined:

 We researched:

We learned!

I had to force my 6 yr. old to put it away and finally go to bed- he was still busy looking at "specimens" they collected from around the outside (and even the inside) of the house.

I know some of you say that you drool over our beach pictures . . . .
So, how do ya like me now? lol

Scorpions, Black Widow. . . . lots of bugs. . . . from around my house!

My 5 yr. old carefully "pins" the wasp nest with toothpicks:

(I figured they were safer- for the kids anyway)

Our homemade kit was made using:

1 recycled box (child-size briefcase)
1 chunk of used clean Styrofoam
Tooth picks (instead of sharp pins to hold specimen in place)
Extra tweezers from around the house
An old magnifying glass
A (broken) plastic micro-scope
A homemade "nature log book" (from scrap paper)
Left over clear packing tape (to "preserve" the specimen)
Scraps of paper for "labels"
(Daddy's) Field Journal for identification
Encyclopedia's to look up extra information
Pens and pencils
3 x 5 index cards (to attach specimen once it is taped)

The whole family had a great time with this project- Daddy helped identify some of the little creatures with his field journal and superior knowledge of the insect population.

 Each of the boys took part in finding the specimens, listing their observations, labeling and entering information in the log.

And Mommy photographed the excursion and its findings!

It's terrific to observe "live" creatures in the wild- and we will often collect insects and lizards to observe in a jar and then release-  but they are really getting a kick out of gathering dead bugs!
 (I shouldn't be the least bit surprised)


* Almost no children or live creatures were harmed in the making of this product- much.
 (except that Black Widow who is just not allowed to live here)


Have you made anything fun and creative with your trash lately that you'd like to share with us? We'd love to hear about it!