Category: Kids

Two girls playing chairball

Chairball a Popular Game in Thailand

Posted on by Ryan

For someone who’s into basketball and maybe a bit of football, chairball sounds, well, odd and different. It’s different from chairbasketball and certainly not Tchoukball. Chairball is a popular game in Thailand.

It is definitely a big thing here. The first time I heard of it, was during a sports week. Fellow teachers who were in their 50’s were playing and they were good at it. It was a bit strange to watch because they were passing the ball without dribbling it. I didn’t understand how it was played and I was totally uninterested.

Recently, my daughter got into this sport and join her team for their school’s sports week. Although she’s been training for basketball, she apparently was able to adapt to chairball. This time, the sport got my attention. Unfortunately there is not much information (in English) about this game in the internet.

Here’s a short video clip of a chairball match played by primary students in Thailand.

What do you think of the game?

For now having watched the game there are few things I’ve learnt about Chairball.

  1. It is definitely a team game. So the one-man show in basketball is a no-no in this game.
  2. The ball is passed from one player to another without dribbling.
  3. Once a player has received the ball s/he has to pass it without moving her/his legs from where she’s/he’s standing.
  4. The player standing on the chair holding the basket is allowed to catch the ball. In other words, the player could bend forward, sideward, backward, and could tilt the basket towards the incoming ball, as long as s/he stays planted on the chair.
  5. The team that earns more points in a given period of time wins the game.
  6. For every ball that gets into the basket earns the team two points.

Have you heard of chairball game before? Have you played it?

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LET’S CONNECT

coke experiment

Five Fun Ways to Use the Coke and Mentos Experiment In

Posted on by Ms. Elle

Back in the day, say 15 to 20 years ago, mad science came out; and it rocked the kids science world. At that time, the coke and mentos experiment wasn’t just incredibly fascinating and entertaining, it also seemed difficult and restrictive. There was an impression that it should be done in the laboratory only, with strict supervision of an adult. Well, this was the impression I got. Now with the internet, many have popularized it with different variations that even young children could do it on their own. At present, any one could do it anywhere, anytime. Below are five fun ways to use the coke and mentos experiment in.

slow motion coke geyser- Five Fun Ways to Use the Soda and Mentos Experiment With

Here are Five Fun Ways to Use the Coke and Mentos Experiment In.

  1. Kids crazy science experiment. In school, students are asked to conduct experiments whether be a class activity, a big science project, or for a science show, knowing which is more explosive coke vs mentos or coke vs baking soda could be an incredibly educational and entertaining experiment. It doesn’t use toxic chemicals. There are only two simple and easy steps to follow. Little ones would surely be able to follow and even experiment on their own.
  2. Kids party. A mad science theme party is unconventional but it doesn’t mean that it couldn’t be done. Parties are all about fun. What could be more fun than to let kids have fun blasting off sodas with mentos and baking soda in the backyard, the messier the better. Yeah right Mommies? Lol. I could already picture it out in my head. Four to five fun science activities, one of which is the fun coke and mentos experiment, kids hopping from one experiment to the other.
  3. Family bonding moments. Derick and Summer took an active part in planning the kids experiment coke, pepsi, est, big cola vs. mentos and baking soda challenge from purchasing of materials down to cleaning the place afterwards. Changes were made from the initial plan to give way for their suggestions. They wanted a spontaneous, free-flowing sort of way in conducting the challenge. And so they took care of the video introduction. They also decided on the whats and the hows. It was a learning experience for all of us. We, as parents learnt to let go, and trust their capabilities.
  4. Kids outdoor activity. With the kind of pull screens have on our children, parents need an activity that is so fun and interesting, children couldn’t say no. And this experiment could definitely tickle their fancy.
  5. Great for slow-motion videos. And as you can see we have a family Youtube channel. Doing the soda and mentos experiment was like shooting two birds with one stone. It gave us time together; we had a blast. Derick and Summer loved and enjoyed it. As a Youtube content, we hope to inspire families out there to do the same. And with the present technology, we were able to render it in slow-motion, making it even more interesting.

Here’s a short video of the coke and mentos slow-motion. Have fun watching!

So these are the five fun ways to use the coke and mentos experiment in. Do you agree with the list? Is it something you’d fancy doing one precious weekend?

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LET’S CONNECT

Which is More Explosive?! Coke vs Mentos or Coke vs Baking Soda

Posted on by Ms. Elle

The Coke and Mentos experiment has gained so much popularity in Youtube. And for sure every science teacher has utilized this in their activity or lab. Also every kid in town wants to try their hands on this. However you aside from Mentos there’s another agent that could be as powerful as mentos, that is baking soda. In this short video below will give you a definitive answer to this question. Which is More Explosive?! Coke vs Mentos or Coke vs Baking Soda

I will try to explain the science behind coke and mentos as simply as I can. Ok here it is.

  1. Normally, sodas like coke are carbonated which means they contain carbon dioxide – the fizz.
  2. These gases are squeezed in the bottle and are looking for places to attach to, and this is when they start forming bubbles. That is why, the minute it is opened they fizz out.
  3. In this case, dropping mentos into a soda provides “a lot of places” for these gases to attach to.
  4. So instead of getting defused unto the air, when you open it. The gases instead attach themselves into the surface of the mentos.
  5. They then form bubbles. Just imagine the amount of bubbles they produce, too much for the bottle to handle. And so they all burst out in a powerful explosion.
two kids amazed by coke vs mentos or coke vs baking soda experiment

From this explanation, we can see that soda and mentos explosive geyser is more of a physical reaction than a chemical one. So the more mentos dropped, the more surface area they provide for the carbon dioxide to attach to, then, the more explosive the geyser is.

What about baking soda? Which is More Explosive?! Coke vs Mentos or Coke vs Baking Soda

If a cup of baking soda is dropped into a bottle of coke, I mean, it should be insane. Baking soda must contain thousands and thousands of particles providing enormous surface area for carbon dioxide to form bubbles with. Right?

Have you watched the video? If you haven’t, please watched it now to see which gives a better result: mentos or baking soda. Have fun!!

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Cash register

Unboxing of Cash Register Toy: China Made

Posted on by Ms. Elle

Cash register
Unboxing of Cash Register Toy: China Made

Chinese products have been described as fake, unreliable, unhygienic, and even hazardous.  Despite these claims,  the Chinese market is never short of clients from across the globe most probably due to its comparably lower cost.  We are one of those who despite having bought lemon products like Dengo Car Camera and  Portable Cordless Handy Stitch, still buys products made by Chinese companies every now and then.

And yes,  we bought yet another one.

Recently, we bought our daughter a cash register toy. She has been wanting it for sometime, but we kept pushing the idea off, and convinced her to choose something else every time. Something within our budget, well, mom on a budget really!

Please watch her unboxing video here.

 

This Chinese company-made cash register costs $21. According to my mom-on-a-budget standard, a toy that costs more than $15 is too much, however, considering that its branded counterparts cost around $30, and that she has been waiting for a long time to have one, so I gave in and bought it.

Here’s why this cash register is practical.

  1.  Functional. As a simulation toy, it pretty much lets you perform what a real life cash register does. The keyboard is pressable, the display shows the number, and the drawer opens; they all work. Even the scanners and microphone are all functional.
  2. Other features. Aside from the main cash register, the set also comes with toy money, toy credit card, and several plastic and paper toy merchandises.
  3. Feel. This plastic cash register toy set is lightweight, and it easily moves as you type in the prices or when taking money in and out of the drawer. It would have made a whole lot of difference to the play experience if suction cups or the likes were placed to hold the cash register in place.
  4. Price. It certainly is affordable. At the cost of $21, considering that it works perfectly and that it does not feel and smell like plastic, even though it is made by a rather unpopular Chinese company, I have no complains.

My daughter is happy! So am I.

Have you had a similar experience with Chinese-company made products?  Share it with us. 

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How to Create a Healthier Diet for You and Your Kids

Posted on by Ms. Elle

Our health is the most important asset that we have and having a healthy and nutritious diet is the key to achieving lifelong good health. As parents, an effective diet is also important to give us the energy we need to keep pace with our children, but of course our first priority is always to our kids’ health, so it’s essential that we pay full attention to their diets as well. Cutting down on junk food and adopting healthier options can make a vast difference to how you feel and how your children feel, so let’s look at how easy it is to do.

Increase Your Fruit and Vegetable Intake

Fruit and vegetables are nature’s gift to us all, as they provide us with the essential vitamins and minerals that we need on a daily basis. Expert opinions vary on how much fruit and veg we should consume, but they all agree we should eat between five and ten portions per day. That can sound like a lot but reaching the target can bring huge benefits to your health, fitness and energy levels. If your children are reticent to eating vegetables, or anything healthy, try hiding root vegetables like swede and turnip in among other foodstuffs, or encourage them to find one or two vegetables or fruits that they really like.

Cut Down on Sugar

Many of us have a sweet tooth, and there’s no denying that cakes, chocolate and candy taste great, but they are far from great for our health. Sugar is an addictive substance, and it features heavily in almost all the readymade and processed food stuffs that you can buy. It’s also a leading cause of obesity and linked conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, so it makes sense to reduce your sugar intake as much as possible. One way to do this is to cook your meals yourself using fresh ingredients rather than turning to ready meals or take-aways. This may seem difficult at first, but your body will soon forget its sugar cravings and love its new healthier diet.

Reduce Weight Naturally

Being overweight has an adverse effect upon every aspect of your life, so if you want to lose weight you’ll have to exercise more and eat less. That’s a simplistic equation of course, and some people find that they have to turn to a diet plan to help them say goodbye to their excess pounds; in this case, they should opt for diets based upon purely natural ingredients, such as the HCG diet. You can find more information on this hormone-based diet through expert websites such as Hcgdietreview.Com and this also means that you’ll be able to find the best HCG drops and supplements at the best possible prices.

A healthy diet and lifestyle adopted in childhood is likely to remain in place throughout an adult life, and the best way to encourage your children to eat healthily is to eat healthily yourself. Wave goodbye to processed foods filled with sugar and excess fat and say hello to homemade meals full of natural ingredients such as fresh fruit and vegetables. You’ll be amazed at the transforming effect it can have on you and your family.

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museum

Explore and Experience

Posted on by Ms. Elle

It was Visakha Bucha,  a Buddhist holiday where Thais visit temples to pray, when we decided to drive and visit Nakhon Sri Thammarat, the largest city in the South of Thailand. This one day road trip had been educational since our kids hadn’t only gotten to experience a Buddhist religious practice. We did not stay in some fancy hotel with kids pool which by the way is their most favorite activity. Instead they explored some ancient artifacts in the temple’s museum dating back to Bangkok period. This may not as outdoorsy as spelunking Phu Pha Phet or swimming at Wang Sai Thong Falls but it certainly is informative and insightful in terms of Thai culture and religious belief.

This is Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, the main and oldest buddhist temple in Nakhon Sri Thammarat.  Directly in front of the temple’s right wing entrance is the museum.  Inside, you’ll find three large chambers where ancient artifacts that date back to Bangkok period were exhibited. There were hand painted metal cabinets of varying sizes, brasswares,  copperwares, glasswares, and chinas.  Aside from these, there were weapons,  textiles, a few preserved sea creatures, and numerous sea shells.  It is a great place to explore and a good reinforcement for kids studying history and marine life. Taking of photos are not allowed here.

This was taken just outside the museum.  A row of seating,  golden Buddhas outlined the entire length of this side of the temple. On the same chamber,  were displays of huge whale remains and other marine life.

Summer and Derick offered incense and flowers, and said their prayers.

 

Despite the scorching heat of the sun, exploring Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawin was a great experience.

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Spelunking Phu Pha Phet

Freedom and Control is Possible with KidsEmail

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Freedom and Control is Possible with Kidsemail

Posted on by Ms. Elle

Responsible freedom is what kidsemail is.

Today, it is just nearly impossible to not let kids get their hands on technology. The more they are prohibited the more curious they become. If this brings them positive results well and good, but if it swings them on the flip side of the coin, well it spells trouble. And we all have seen unimaginable things happen and are still happening if we let down our guards. Of course, this is something we all don’t want. So be on the guard all the time.
Yet you don’t want to tighten your grip that much, as sand trickles through your fingers as you squeeze on it too tightly.

Kidsemail is just the right mixture of freedom and control. It is a great way to let children have a taste of freedom in using technology and interact with friends through email, while parents gradually instill in them necessary values and attitude to keep them safe in this time of the internet.

Kidsemail safeguards children and teens from unwanted elements that parents dread so much. It is the most kid-friendly website in the entire internetland. One of the features which I love immensely is the parental control, with it parents are able to manage contacts, filter offensive words, and approve or deny emails sent to your children. Emails notifying parents of incoming and outgoing emails are sent directly to parent’s email. It can be used on relatively all devices as it’s supported by iOS, Android, and Web platforms.

For more details about its amazing features read HERE, and HERE on how to register for FREE on your first month.

Now, here’s a time lapse of Summer sending an email to her Aunt in Dubai. She had previously written the letter on her diary.

I encourage parents and schools to avail of kidsemail. It is parents’ greatest partner in keeping children from harms way, and an excellent tool for schools especially that some teachers give homework, other activities, and communication online.

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phi pha phet cave satun thailand

Spelunking Phu Pha Phet Cave, Satun Thailand

Posted on by Ms. Elle

This is a raw video going inside the cave.

This huge cave is located at Tambol Palm Pattana Amphur Manang Satun Province in Southern Thailand. It is about an hour and 30 minutes from Hatyai City by a private car.

Phuphaphet Cave was previously called “Lod Cave”, “Yao Cave”, “Phet Cave”, and later “Phuphaphet Cave”. It is so named Phuphaphet because the stalactites and stalagmites sparkle like diamonds.

Its wondrously vast land area of 50 rai holds some amazing stalactites and stalagmites formations which incite superstitious belief among locals.  Some of these formations include what they call the “crystal curtain” because of the drapery-like effect to which the stalactites hang from the ceiling of the cave.  Another are the “river crystal” and “upside-down lotus” but the most intriguing is the stalagmite formations that resemble a male genitalia. Locals believe that this protects them from any harmful spirits that bring about diseases and misfortunes.  Visitors are prohibited from touching because they believe that by doing so, it will stop “growing”.

Aside from its strange geological formations, archaeological artifacts from ancient humans who found shelter inside the cave were also retrieved.  And also, they have found traces of fossils of ancient sea creatures. These have earned them some points in UNESCO World Heritage.

There you go.  Enjoy your trip to the cave.

It’s quite dusty inside so if you are asthmatic be sure to bring a mask.

On a personal note:

Derick and Summer were the youngest in the group of tourists in Phu Pha Phet cave. I thought they won’t survive the two hour walk inside the cave, well I thought wrong. As a matter of fact they enjoyed it, Summer got so fascinated by the things she saw and Derick, oh well, because it’s so dark and he gets to use a flashlight – his favorite thing at the moment – he felt it was totally a great adventure.

We came as a side trip since the cave is within the vicinity of the Wang Sai Thong waterfalls we went to earlier that day. Although unprepared it turned out successful. They love it and are looking forward to spelunk again.

This time though we have to prepare some things before-hand like.

  • Face mask especially if your kids are asthmatics. It might be dusty inside from loose soil or bat droppings.
  • Tiny backpacks for water bottles, face towel, and the likes
  • Comfortable rubber shoes are definitely better than open loose slippers
  • Long stretchy pants would be comfortable and it would be easy to crawl or duck if there is a need to.
  • Wear mosquito repellent lotion for protection.

 

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Old Calendars for Something Educational

Posted on by Ms. Elle
Mom on a budget

Don’t throw old calendars, re-use them for something educational.

Alphabet flashcards may not be that expensive, but then why buy when you can do it yourself, right? Coloring them is fun and relaxing. I enjoyed it. Besides I get to showoff my coloring skills to my daughter who is into drawing. She likes the way I do it and so she’s trying to imitate it.  Now, she’s good at it.

So what I did here was printed out free printable alphabet from the internet (What2Learn.com). Although you can print them out in colored ink, I chose black and white. It’s no fun if all you need to do is print, cut, and paste. Go the extra miles, color them yourselves and bring out the artist in you. Your kids can help out too. It’s a good way to teach coloring techniques and color combination and mixture. Anyway, after that I glued them onto old, hard paper calendars like these.

FotorCreated
And voila!
 DSC04400
As I was looking at the finish product, I thought, it would have been better if I colored the letters with a similar color. That way, they would have aesthetically “jot” out instead of getting lost in the riot of colors in the background.
What do you think?

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DIY Gift Wrapping

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My daughter loves to draw. She started to show interest at a very young age.  I saw how her drawings improve through the years.  She is very proud of her drawings, and we have always made sure she gets all the encouragement and praises she needs to go on.  She draws anytime and every time an idea sparks and she does this wherever she is at that moment.

One instance, we have to attend a birthday party of one of her friends. Although we were informed days before, I was too busy that I forgot to prepare for it.  So on the said day, I hurriedly bought a gift for the little girl but forgot to buy a gift wrap.  I was a bit panicking since there were still other things to do. Good thing, my daughter had a great idea, DIY gift wrapping.

On a paper she drew a family, wrote a greeting, and added some designs. She used this to wrap the gift. She recycled a ribbon, and voila.

DIY Gift Wrapping
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