When we talk about DIY crafts, games, and activities for kids, we don't think of scientific learning too often. But who says we can't mix them and have a fantastic time while doing so?
Last week, we shared the Fizzy Diya Co-Create activity on our Instagram, which was a hit with parents looking for seasonal ways to engage kids. While Diwali may be over, we'd love to tell you about how simple it is to create something that is festive and combines craft, learning, and play.
If you'd like, feel free to tweak this design into a turkey for thanksgiving, Santa for Christmas, or even a cake and balloon for your child's birthday!
Benefits of playing with the Fizzy Diya
This Co-Create activity is by Aisha Chandarana, a DIY Blogger and mom to four-year-old Ninaad. You can see her previous activities here.
This activity is called Fizzy Diya. It is ideal for toddlers, preschoolers, and even older children as it offers them a chance for crafting, celebration, and deep learning. The benefits of this fizzy dia activity include:
1. Fine motor skills: Creating the dia and pouring the vinegar into it requires your child to have a firm and steady grip. This will hone their fine motor skills.
2. Hand-eye coordination: Sprinkling the food colouring and pouring the vinegar into precise slots will strengthen their hand-eye coordination.
3. Encourages creativity: Designing and decorating the diya to their own taste will spur their imagination and creativity.
4. STEM learning: For older children in particular, this activity is a great chance to talk about the science behind the fizz and explain why it happens.
Creating the game
Age recommendation:
This activity can be enjoyed by children between 3 to 6 years.
Material required:
1. A piece of cardboard
2. Hot glue gun
3. Baking soda
4. Food dye (yellow and orange)
5. Vinegar
6. Pen, pencil, markers, and paint
7. Pompoms (or any other decorative items to decorate the diya)
How to create the diya:
1. Draw a simple diya on the piece of cardboard. Ask your child to join you in painting and decorating it however they like!
2. Cut-out thick strips from the cardboard and paste it upright around the jyot (the flame) of the diya, forming a border. You can do so with the help of a hot glue gun.
3. Prepare a mixture of baking soda and food dye in a 1:3 ratio based on the size of the jyot (in the image above, 2 spoons of baking soda and 5 to 6 drops of food dye is used).
4. Carefully sprinkle the mixture in the slots between the strips.
Playing with the Fizzy Diya
Get out your container of vinegar and get ready for some fizzy fun! Hand your child the vinegar with a dropper and explain to them what’s going to happen. Let them pour it in and watch the solution foam and fizz.
If your child is old enough to understand, you could use this opportunity to explain the science behind the reaction to them. Talk about how baking soda is a base and vinegar is an acid. When acids and bases combine, they react to release carbon dioxide, which is what gives out the fizz!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this activity. If you would like to share your experience playing with this board, tag us at #CoCreatewithshumee. Take care and stay safe!
Aisha Chandarana creates DIY activities with cardboard and nature elements, providing amazing play experiences for children. You can follow her @toontots on Instagram.