Educating Kings: Bucks Open Studios

We have had lots of fun packed and interesting days lately. I have to mention that the ISS (International Space Station) went overhead and while the kids didn't get to see it, it was at 10.59pm. It was great fun. I know what to look for next time it is over Milton Keynes and the kids might find it interesting in the future.

There was a very bright 'honey moon' on the same night the ISS went over. The picture to the right is of the ISS.

We attended a themed session about Oceans, organised by and for home educators. Caden is here cutting out pictures of sharks.

Here they are getting creative with tissue paper, paper plates and googly eyes. They all made different things.

Caden made a jellyfish!

Miles made some creatures on the sea bed. There are eyes peeking out from the crumples..

There was an activity where the kids drew sea pictures with crayon and then painted over their drawings in blue watercolour. The wax repelled the watercolour and a lovely ocean scene was made. They loved writing their names on white card in white crayon and seeing the words appear by magic.

There was some sandpaper and shark templates for another activity. The templates were either hammerhead or reef shark (Caden knew which ones they were, not me) Caden wanted to make his own stencil from the shark he had cut out earlier though so I held it down while he stencilled around it. Then we cut it out and stuck the shark on a lolly stick. Miles did one too. They both accessorised their sharks with teeth, eyes and gills.

We missed one of the activities which was an experiment showing water melt by adding salt however there were a load of big ice cubes and it was a hot day so the kids took one each outside to melt them. They had a great time smashing the ice cubes into smaller and smaller chunks on the pavement and watching them melt away. A great science experiment for little ones in itself.

We attended the home educators Friday Playtime event which is at a superb playground with a sandpit in MK. There was an excellent turnout of about 50 children and they played for about 2 solid hours on the equipment and making dens in the trees.

We were cycling so on our way back we were able to visit the Peartree Bridge art/sculpture gallery. They had an excellent exhibition of doors. We weren't sure but we think they were done as separate projects and brought together. This was Caden's favourite. When we move house, Caden wants to decorate his own door. I think that would be loads of fun so I said yes. I am sure it will make a great art project. He could choose a theme he is interested in to decorate it and it would serve as an educational point too.

Some of the doors were superb. So brightly coloured. They really loved them.

Because it was Bucks Open Studios we were able to go inside and meet the artists. They were very friendly and welcomed us in. One of the artists began telling us about a door she was painting up for the Islamic festival. She showed us the paints she was using and the mosaic beads/mirrors that would be used once the initial painted background was complete.

Then we were very fortunate to be able to meet Yannick who is a resident artist. She was mid - sculpting and showed us the tools she was using to create the effect she wanted. There were chisels of different sizes and a weighty mallet tool. They all got to feel the edge of the chisels and hold the mallet for weight.