Boys, boys, boys

The past two weeks, our Kids' Group attendees have been decidedly not female. In the past, the majority of the kids have been female, or at least a decent mix of both sexes. However, now, in addition to having fewer kids visit, we have had all boys.

Last week, planning on seeing at least a few girls, the head volunteer planned to have the kids decorate Halloween masks, a cute craft she had bought relatively inexpensively. However, three boys, all in their later childhood to early teen years came instead. For some reason, the boys found decorating masks to be less appealing. Two of them did end up making Frankenstein masks after one of the male volunteers too the lead.

So this week, I planned a cool activity. I had planned for the kids use marshmallows and toothpicks to create 3D objects. I thought this would be a good idea because it appeals to creativity and productivity. Like the oh-so-popular Legos and Lincoln Logs of my childhood. It was also a good idea, I felt, because if a girl arrived, she would still likely be interested.

That is the challenge now: plan activities that older boys will enjoy, but won't entirely annoy or bore children under the ages of five and girls. With Kids' Group, we have no real warning about who will be coming, gender, age, or number. So planning mindfully for our audience is difficult.

Even though my plan went over well, we only had one kid in attendance to enjoy it. Mostly he just wanted to eat the marshmallows, but he had fun. At least, he said he did.

One other activity plan I had, that will not be used, is something that I think boys would love. For this activity, the following supplies are needed:

- tall, transparent container (ex. a mason jar)

- honey

- light corn syrup

- blue or green colored dish soap

- olive oil

- rubbing alcohol

- water

- food coloring

- dropper

Pour the liquids into the jar, careful not to drip it down the sides, in the following order: 1) honey, 2) corn syrup, 3) dish soap, 4) water, and 5) a thick layer olive oil. Prior to adding the liquids, be sure to add any food coloring you wish to liquids 2, 4, and 5. Finally, mix food coloring into the rubbing alcohol carefully and put it in the dropper. This liquid is best added to the jar via dropper, squeezing it in slowly and carefully down the sides so it doesn't incorporate with the rest of the liquids.

This cool science experiment is not only an experience in creativity, but a brief lesson in density. I think it would be great because boys would enjoy the science of it and the mixing, but girls in attendance would not be put off either. Plus, it's a rainbow in a jar!

#activityplan #bumpsintheroad #reflection