Issue 1 – Winter 2018
JUMP!
The magazine for creative kids!
Gravity! What goes up, must come down!
Turn trash into toys!
What’s inside? What’s up with gravity? – Page 3 Recycle trash into toys! – Page 5 Cool places to go! – Page 7
About JUMP! JUMP! Magazine is an independent, free publication created four times a year for children ages 4+ in Alamance County and beyond. If you are interested in advertising in JUMP! or have ideas for articles for future issues, please email Louisa Jones, editor, at jumpmagforkids@gmail.com. You can also visit jumpforkids.wordpress.com for more information. Alamance County
What’s up with gravity? Gravity is an invisible force that keeps us on the ground instead of floating into Outer Space! Gravity also causes the Earth to spin in orbit around the sun.
Gravity makes a monster truck crash back down after it flies up into the air!
What else does gravity let us do? • • • • •
Jump up and down on a trampoline Play catch Go down a slide Swing on a swing set Hang upside down
Did you know that gravity is different on every planet? For example, if you weigh 100 pounds on Earth, you would only weigh 17 pounds on the Moon! But you would weigh around 240 pounds on Jupiter!
JUMP! Winter 2018
Page 3
Gravity Experiment
If we jump from a high place, gravity makes us fall quickly to the ground. If we’re not careful, gravity can cause us to scrape a knee or worse! How can we “trick” gravity so that we can land safely? Here’s a little experiment to try… You will need: • One coffee filter • 4 pieces of string or yarn (each one about 4-6 inches long) • Tape • A plastic egg or something small that is a little heavier than the coffee filter. (You could also use a Lego person or a plastic juice bottle lid.) Instructions: 1. First, drop the plastic egg or toy from somewhere high (you could stand on a chair or climb up some stairs). See how fast it falls to the ground. 2. Now, tape the ends of the pieces of yarn or string to the edges of the filter (see the picture). 3. Tape the other ends to the plastic egg or toy. 4. Drop your parachute from somewhere high. Did the egg or toy fall faster or slower after you attached the parachute? Why do you think this is? Now, think about how real parachutes work to protect skydivers who jump out of planes from gravity.
JUMP! Winter 2018
Page 4
Recycle trash into toys!
Are you getting bored with your toys? Why not make some new ones? Look around your home for things that usually get thrown away – the recycling bin is a good place to start!
What to look for…
• plastic lids from milk, juice, and water bottles • yogurt and cream cheese containers • straws • paper towel and toilet rolls • cardboard boxes – big and small! • old CDs • ribbons and scraps of fabric • old tissue paper • buttons and beads • old socks
What else do you need? • • • • •
glue or tape markers or paint stickers scissors imagination!
What can you make?
An empty shoebox makes a perfect fairy house. Just cut a hole for the door and decorate with markers and stickers. This house (right) has a mint container for a mailbox!
JUMP! Winter 2018
Page 5
Make a monster truck ramp out of a folded rectangle of cardboard. Turn an empty yogurt tub into a seat for a dolls’ house. Decorate it with stickers and colorful tissue paper!
Robot masks
For this robot (right), we used an empty cardboard box. We cut out a hole for the face, then painted the box blue. We glued pipe cleaners, bits of felt, and tissue paper to make a “face” for the robot. Old screws and bolts, aluminum foil-wrapped bottle caps, and buttons also make a great “control panel” for your robot!
Pocket bags
For these bags (right), we cut out the pockets of old, holey jeans. Then we sewed/hot glued (ask an adult for help) ribbons to make shoulder straps. You can decorate your bags with bits of ribbons, beads, and whatever you can think of! JUMP! Winter 2018
Page 6
Cool places to go! SciWorks (new name is Kaleideum North) A fun place to learn all about science, including gravity, and do cool experiments! Cost: $9; $3 for EBT card holders 400 West Hanes Mill Road Winston-Salem, NC 27105 336-767-6730 north.kaleideum.org/
The Scrap Exchange
In the “Make and Take” room, build and keep whatever you want out of old puzzle pieces, CDs, ribbons, and things people usually throw away! Cost: $5 for 90 minutes Lakewood Shopping Center 2050 Chapel Hill Road Durham, NC 27707 919-688-6960 scrapexchange.org/
AIR FUN Trampoline Park Experience gravity!
Cost: $12 adults, $8 under 6 (for 60 mins) 2268 Golden Gate Dr. Greensboro NC 27405 336-450-2102 www.airfunpark.com/hours-pricing.php JUMP! Winter 2018
Did you know?
Alamance County Public Libraries offer ZOOM passes for free entry into lots of places! Reserve your pass using the library’s website. Pick up your pass at the library. Passes are limited in number each day and are available on a firstcome, first-served basis. Here are some of the awesome places you can visit for FREE: • North Carolina Zoo • Durham Museum of Life and Science • Greensboro Children’s Museum • Kidzu Children’s Museum • NC Transportation Museum • Family Fun with Alamance Arts For a full list visit: www.alamancelibraries. org/libraries-2/zoompass-program/ Page 7
Stay tuned for the Spring, 2018 issue of JUMP! Go to jumpforkids.wordpress.com for more information.