I remember doing this project as a kid and then as I got a bit older discovering that "rock" candy was really just sugar crystals that re-ordered themselves. This has always been a family favorite activity and makes a great time to share ideas and observations while learning some kitchen science. Building on Day 1 you could also consider using salt - not as fun to eat but a great comparison. For the full version of this activity, with suggestions for how to vary by age visit the Curious Kitchen classroom #Crystal Makers. Post your progress if you try this one. Crystal Makers Sugar can seem to disappear into water, but it isn't gone. With a little patience, you can watch it come back as beautiful crystals that grow a little more each day. Gather Your Gear: - 1 cup (250 mL) water - 2 1/2 - 3 cups (500 - 600 g) granulated sugar (or salt) - Small saucepan - Wooden spoon - Heat-safe glass jar - Wooden skewer, cotton string, or pipe cleaner - Pencil or craft stick - Clothespin (optional) - Food coloring (optional) - My Science Notebook (optional) Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before handling food. Adult help is needed for heating the water and pouring the hot sugar solution. Steps: 1. Wet the wooden skewer, string, or pipe cleaner with water. Roll it in a little dry sugar and let it dry while you prepare the sugar solution. 2. Ask an adult to heat 250 mL (1 cup) of water until it is very hot, but not rapidly boiling. 3. Stir in the sugar a spoonful at a time until no more sugar will dissolve. The mixture should look clear. 4. If you would like colored crystals, stir in one or two drops of food coloring. 5. Let the sugar solution cool for about 10 minutes. 6. Carefully pour the solution into the glass jar. 7. Suspend the prepared skewer, string, or pipe cleaner into the middle of the jar. It should not touch the bottom or sides. 8. Place the jar somewhere it can remain undisturbed for several days. 9. Check your jar each day and record how the crystals change.

The Curious Kitchen is back in action and I'll be sharing 6 new kitchen activities you can do at home to have fun in the kitchen, create memorable moments, and make some tasty treats. I'm also working on a companion guide and the goal is to have one for each set of labs. The first lab is fairly simple and is named Sweet or Salty. Here are the basic steps and if you visit #Sweet or Salty? you'll also see age variations you can use with your family. Let me know if you try this and what the reaction was. Sweet or Salty? Sugar and salt may look alike, but they don’t always behave the same way. Let’s find out what happens when each one is added to warm and cold water. Gather Your Gear: - Table sugar (granulated sugar) - Table salt - 4 clear cups or glasses - Warm water - Cold water - Spoon - My Science Notebook (optional) Steps: 1. Place a spoonful of table sugar on a plate and a spoonful of table salt on another plate. 2. Look closely at each one. How are they alike? How are they different? 3. Taste one or two grains of each using separate clean spoons or clean fingertips. 4. Fill two cups with warm water and two cups with cold water. 5. Add a spoonful of sugar to one warm-water cup and one cold-water cup. 6. Add a spoonful of salt to the remaining warm-water cup and cold-water cup. 7. Stir each cup the same number of times. 8. Watch what happens. Which dissolved first? Did the warm water make a difference? Twist: Before you stir, predict which ingredient will dissolve first. Were you right? Further Exploration (Optional): Try the activity again using another type of sugar, such as brown sugar or powdered sugar. How did it compare with table sugar?

Does anyone else remember this saying? Either way, here in Tennessee it’s another hot and humid summer day and another reason for ice cream. This week’s Curious Kitchen Lab will focus on sweet science. The first activity goes live tomorrow. Today, a sneak peek in honor of Ice Cream Day. Answer our flavor poll and then let us know if you make your own ice cream. What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?

Hi all I am Nanny Sue for 4 amazing kiddos with another on the way. I absolutely love the Mystery Bag game. I teach psychic development for adults and this would be a great psychometry exercise too! I'm so excited to be here. I'm sure Asher, James, Mary and maybe even Jackson (15) will be too!

My kids have set screentime. They know when and for how long they can play in their phones/tablets/watch TV. Screen time was up today.... And they wanted mooooore. (Of course) They didn't want to do anything. I suggested the following; Color, play with magna tiles, paint, finger paint, take the dog for a walk, play Simon says (I got his idea from the classroom here), color on an Amazon cardboard box, Legos, play with a laser pointer with the cats, and vacuum the floor. Every suggestion above was met with a hard NO! -I have two 4-year-old twins. I was lost. No idea. What to do. So I got a pen and broke up the cardboard box. I started writing. No in in the pen. My daughter told me it wasn't working. I looked at her confused... I asked her what I can do if this pen didn't work. She lit up! Dad! I have markers iny room, I'll go get them! I told her to grab a bunch. She came down with a bunch of markers. Then we all colored for the next 45minutes. Sometimes you just need to play. Then they will join in.