We're challenging kids to mix it up this winter break by exploring the world of chemistry! From December 19 to January 9, be a chemist by cooking with an adult, making your own bubble solution or trying one of the experiments below.
To complete the challenge:
- Read (book, magazine or website) for 20 minutes a day for at least five days.
- Discover and Create by doing at least one of the activities below and telling us about it.
Keep track of your progress on the Winter Learning Challenge log (Winter Learning Challenge log in Spanish). Return your completed log to any CPL location by January 17 to receive a prize.
Read
Check out our recommended reads.
Junk Drawer Chemistry: Complex chemistry concepts are broken down into 50 easy-to-do experiments you can try with everyday items.
Crazy Concoctions: With a little unwanted help from Dr. Viskus Fickleschmutz, you too can become a mad scientist and make a truly maniacal mess.
Discover and Create
- Make your own lava lamp with a plastic bottle, water, oil, food coloring and fizzing tablets.
- Build a volcano and use household ingredients to make it erupt.
- Ever wonder why apples turn brown when they're cut? Try this simple oxidation experiment to find out.
- Find out what pigments are in black markers.
- Attend one of our Mix It Up with Mad Science events.
- Experiment with soap, water and sugar to make your own bubble solution.
- What would an elephant brush his teeth with? Elephant toothpaste of course!
- Learn all about "non-Newtonian" liquids by making some oobleck—is it a solid or a liquid?
- Amaze your friends and family with this magic ice experiment.
- Looking for a tasty chemical reaction? Try a recipe in one of these cookbooks for kids.
The Winter Learning Challenge is made possible through the Chicago Public Library Foundation.
