The Tingle Factor Box

THAT's A Needle?! Netting Needle

Imagine, you are a boy, living in a small seaside town in the early 1900s. Your family has been here for ages, and they're all fishermen. Your father and his father before, probably even his father before that! You know that when you grow up you'll be going out on the boats too, but at the moment, you're too small. Father has been teaching you to use his netting needles though, and while he was out today you were practising on one of his old nets. When he saw it, he was very impressed, said you'd fixed it so well he would be able to use it again!

Roaming Roy Digs Up The Past - Spit Ferry

This week, when Roy was thinking about places to go he remembered that he had visited The Spit in Sydney last year and never told you about it. This had been one of his more memorable trips, between the dozens of stingrays he saw in Middle Harbour and the interpretive signs which had been buried by the shifting sands. We've tracked the photos down, and would like to share our trip with you.

Roy Creates A Mini Lava Lamp In A Glass

This week, Roy decided to continue with the science theme. The children were fascinated by all the different experiments you can do at home, and Roy wanted to share another home experiment with his online friends. It had to be something the children could easily do themselves, and it had to be safe. It also had to be reasonably tidy - his Grandma didn't want another mess this week. This eliminated a lot of his favourite experiments, but made his decision much easier. The lava lamp in a glass is not only safe and clean, it is a really interesting experiment to watch. So this week, Roy Creates A Mini Lava Lamp In A Glass.

It's WHAT?! Uranium Glass

Imagine, you are living in the early 1900s. You are very lucky today, because your husband has given you a beautiful new sugar bowl. He dropped the last one and it smashed, so you are pleased to have a new one. This one is a beautiful clear green glass, with delicate cut glass designs on it. This vaseline glass is so pretty and delicate, and you just love it. It does have a few odd qualities, like the occasional glow, but that isn't anything to worry about.

Roaming Roy Roughs It In The Pines – The Pines and Roughley House

This week, Roy had great plans for where he wanted to go. He has a friend who works in various museums, and she had been telling him all about an historic house she knows which isn’t far from our home, The Pines and Roughley House. Roy loves historic houses, and is always fascinated to see how people lived in the past, so he wanted to make sure to visit soon. When he arrived, he fell in love with the beautiful farm house, and wanted to tell all his friends about it too.

Roy Creates Oobleck - Strangely Solid Slime

This week, being Science Week in Australia, Roy decided it would be the perfect time to get into science. He always enjoys science experiments, and loves to show the children he knows some of the things he has learned. The question was, which to show you this week. He has done several experiments with the children, and they were really interested in one in particular - a slime, often known as Oobleck, after a book by Dr Seuss. It is a strange slimey goo, which, when it is at room temperature, acts like both a liquid and a solid. The kids were fascinated and wanted to know how it works. So this week, Roy Creates Oobleck - Strangely Solid Slime.

That's Awesome - Stereographs And Stereoscope

Imagine, you are living in the late 1800s. It is a special day today, because your father is bringing home a suprise for the family. You don't know what it will be, but you are looking forward to it. When he arrives home he is carrying a funny shaped package, a shape you've seen before. You hope it is what you think it is, and when he opens it, it is! A stereoscope and a whole collection of stereographs. You've seen them before, but to have one of your own will bring hours of fun.

Roaming Roy Finds A Place Loaded With History - Tarago

This week, Roy was sorting through old photographs he has taken while out and about when he realised he had never told you about Tarago. Now, when Roy first went to Tarago, he thought there wasn't a huge amount there, but as he drove around he discovered the most interesting house he has ever seen. He was in love with the little house and decided he needed to know more about Tarago, where the house was 'discovered'. He learned that, though Tarago is quite a small community today, it has a fascinating history.

Roy Creates A Simple Owl Hand Puppet

When I decided to write up my little bear hand puppet as the Tingle Factor Item earlier this week, Roy was really excited. Roy loves puppets, and he decided it was a perfect time to show his friends how to create one of their own. The children Roy knows love to sew so he thought a felt puppet would be perfect, but the younger ones find it difficult to sew around complex shapes. It had to be simple. Then, he saw a puppet which I was making and decided the simple little owl would be perfect. So this week, Roy Creates A Simple Owl Hand Puppet.

You Will Need:

• A printed copy of the pattern sheet. Download Owl Pattern
• A couple of pieces of felt. Roy used mid brown for the body, dark brown for the wings and face and orange for the beak.You can use whatever colours you like. Blue would make a great blue bird or try yellow for a canary.
• Sewing cotton in colours which match or contrast with the felt (whichever you prefer)
• 4 buttons, 2 large and 2 small. These will be the owls eyes, so make sure they the two pairs match and that when a small is stacked on top of a large one they look good!
• Scissors
• A needle

Optional:

• Sequins, glitter, glue, scraps of fabric etc to decorate your puppet.

Method:

• Cut out the template pieces carefully.

• Use the template to cut out the pieces for your owl from your felt. You will need 2 of the 'body' pieces, 2 of the 'wing' pieces, one 'face' and one 'beak'

• Position the wings on one of the body pieces and use simple small running stitches to sew them in place. You don't need to sew down the outside edge because you can sew this down when you sew the body pieces together.

• Position the face above the wings and sew it down with small running stitches.

• To make the eyes, sew the buttons onto the face in two stacks. You want to sew a small button on top of a big button to make big googly eyes.

• Sew the beak in place with small running stitches in a line through the centre. This will allow the beak to stand out from the puppets face.

• Now sew the two 'body' pieces together with small runnning stitches. You want to sew along the curved side, but leave the flat side open. This is where you will put your hand to operate your puppet.
• If you like, add some decorations to your puppet.
• Enjoy playing with your little owl.

It's So Cute - Glove Puppet

Imagine, you are a young child living in the early 1940s and it is coming up towards your Birthday. You wonder what present you will be given. You know you can't expect too much and usually, you get books and clothing - practical gifts. This year though, you asked Mum and Dad for a little soft toy. It doesn't have to be grand or anything, but you'd really like a friend to take on adventures. Mum said she'd see what she can do, and you were so happy when you opened your gifts to discover a little bear. He's even better than a soft toy - he's a puppet. Mum made him specially for you.