Category Archives: Special Activities

Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Remember Our Roots, Special Activities, Special Events

Ooey, gooey Oobleck!

Leave a comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Tonight Zion Lutheran students took a moment to get in the goo at the Dani’s Dreams table during registration. All those who participated got to take home a shell or starfish to celebrate this “Beach Day!” Check out the reaction to the “Ooey, Gooey Oobleck” experiment and don’t forget to support fun learning moments like this by registering or donating to Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run this Saturday morning at New Palestine High School.

Here’s the experiment:
Oobleck experiment_Page_1

Oobleck experiment_Page_2

(Source: Science Bob’s Blog)

Dani's Dreams Club, Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Earth Day Dedication Event, Go Green Discovery Center, Remember Our Roots, Special Activities

Making memories, learning, growing and discovering our roots…

Leave a comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Discovery, learning, growing and hands-on activities were the order of the day at the sixth annual Dani’s Dreams Earth Day Dedication Event April 10 at the outdoor education center at Zion Lutheran School in New Palestine.

The warmest day of the year so far was prime time for children and their parents and grandparents to enjoy several outdoor activities and each other’s company, including:

1) A Nature Detective hunt, where children gathered information on butterflies, birds, dinosaurs, weather and photosynthesis. All winning names were placed in a random drawing for an I Spy birdhouse. The Day family won the birdhouse! Watch for future reports on Dani’s Dreams website and Facebook page from the Day birdhouse.

2) Mini Greenhouses – kids and their grandparents took home dirt and seeds and will now get to “Watch ‘Em Grow!”

3) Thanks to the participating families who planted bulbs, one of the gardens at Dani’s Dreams will bloom this summer with colorful gladiolus flowers! Check out the plants’ progress over the summer on the website and Facebook page.

The first round of voting took place for this year’s T-shirt design and essay contest for the Dani’s Dreams Walk/Run Aug. 2, 8 a.m. at New Palestine High School. Finalists will be chosen and placed online where everyone can vote for their favorite!

Kids, don’t forget to talk to your grandparents and get their stories for our “Remember Our Roots” memory book. We are compiling childhood memories and stories over this year. Send them to Zion Lutheran School, in c/o Dani’s Dreams or post them online at the Remember Our Roots at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center’s Facebook Page.

Remember Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center at Zion Lutheran School  is open every day to spend some quality outdoor time with your family!

Children's Museum Night, Dream It - Do It!, Remember Our Roots, Special Activities

Families, You Can Find the ‘Treasures of the Earth’

Leave a comment

useDSC_0425Hancock County families can beat cabin fever and shake off the winter doldrums with a family “treasure hunt” Feb. 26, 6-8 p.m. at Zion Lutheran School’s gymnasium. Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center is sponsoring an evening of free, educational and entertaining activities designed for families to learn and interact together when the Children’s Museum comes to New Palestine, with the National Geographic’s “Treasures of the Earth.” Zion Lutheran’s PTL will be providing concessions during the event.

A few of the 7 activities and interactive presentations planned:

Tools of Discovery Examine and identify authentic tools in an archeologist’s pack: pointed trowel, margin trowel, line level, folding ruler, hand sifter, brushes and more. Learn how each tool is used in an archaeological excavation.

Secrets under the Sea For years, no one recognized the “rocks” and coral in 10 feet of water in the Caribbean Sea as a pile of 26 cannons among pieces of anchors. Assemble a science experiment and take it home to observe and learn about what happens to metal objects in saltwater environments.

Tomb Readers Families will translate hieroglyphs in a pharaoh’s cartouche to discover who was buried in the longest, deepest, and most complete tomb in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings.

Dani's Dreams Club, Dream It - Do It!, Special Activities

Ready or not…Winter’s Here!

Leave a comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Ol’ Man Winter paid an early visit to Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center, arriving just in time for the “Get Ready for Winter” event Dec. 5 at Zion Lutheran School. Children of all ages made ornaments, strung popcorn, painted bird houses and enjoyed dessert pizza from Mama Nitas and hot chocolate before venturing outside to decorate the trees and fill bird feeders in the snow. The activities are the last of a busy 2013 for Dani’s Dreams. We’re hibernating a bit for the holidays and will spend the time planning exciting events in 2014. Mark your calendars for Feb. 26 – the annual Children’s Museum Night with this year’s theme, “National Geographic Treasures of the Earth.”

 

Dani's Dreams Club, Donations and Fundraising, Dream It - Do It!, Special Activities

Get Ready For Winter at Dani’s Dreams This Thursday!

Leave a comment

imagesThe last event of this busy year at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center will be this Thursday, December 5, 3:30-5 p.m. We will be getting ready for winter – planting fall bulbs, making bird feeders, painting bird houses,  and talking about migration and hibernation. We’ll also be decorating for the holidays, making and hanging ornaments, and stringing popcorn. Make an ornament to take home for your tree! Hot chocolate and Mama Nita’s special cinnamon pizza will keep everyone warm and fed. All children in Southern Hancock are invited.

Dream It – Do It!

Tips on caring for our feathered friends:

• Provide the essentials to attract winter birds to your backyard:

• Birdhouses and piles of tree limbs give birds places to stay warm and avoid predators.

• Small fountains, with running water, won’t freeze over like birdbaths can in cold weather.

• Bird feeders will keep the birds coming back. Different types of food appeal to different species. Look at pet stores for suet, a solid cake made of lard,berries, seeds and nuts, and black oil sunflower seeds, which almost any bird will eat. Both are good high-fat energy sources for winter birds, according to Bird Watchers Digest.

All area children are invited this Thursday, 3:30 to 5 p.m. to Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center – Dream It – D0 It – make your own bird feeder, paint bird houses and fill bird feeders and string popcorn for old fashioned garland the birds love!

Donations and Fundraising, Dream It - Do It!, Special Activities

Dig It – Look What We Found!

Leave a comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Discovery was the name of the day Nov. 25 when Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center took Zion Lutheran preschoolers on a special “Dig It” expedition. About 80 preschoolers became archaeologists and  found “treasures” of the earth –  rocks and minerals, gemstones, fossils and arrowheads. They then filed their collection reports and took home a favorite item to show their parents.

Teachers, Scout Leaders, and other community groups, contact Dani’s Dreams to schedule your specially-designed educational opportunity. We’ll tailor your experience to your needs at NO CHARGE. Contact Donna Griffin, director, at dgriffins@netzero.com.